Synology Drive software
$0
No separate billing period
Synology states that Drive is license-free. A compatible Synology NAS, storage drives, networking, and administration are required.
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Synology Drive
Synology Drive is a private-cloud file storage, sharing, synchronization, backup, and collaboration platform for Synology NAS systems.
Editorial overview
Aggregated Overview
Synology Drive offers broad synchronization, backup, sharing, administration, auditing, versioning, mobile access, collaboration, and REST API capabilities. It has no separate software license fee, but requires Synology NAS hardware and local administration. GetApp reports generally positive verified user sentiment, while support quality can depend on the NAS model, deployment, and service channel.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
Overview
Synology Drive is a file management and collaboration platform that runs on Synology NAS hardware. It provides a web portal, desktop clients, and mobile applications for accessing personal files, shared team folders, and externally shared content.
The platform combines file synchronization, endpoint backup, sharing links, file requests, version recovery, and administrative monitoring. Its storage capacity depends on the disks and NAS model used for deployment rather than a separate hosted-storage quota.
Synology Drive suits organizations that want private-cloud control and predictable software licensing. The main trade-off is the need to purchase, configure, maintain, and protect Synology infrastructure.
Synology Drive Decision Snapshot
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Platforms
Android, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, REST API, Ubuntu
TechZella assessment
8.6/10
Synology Drive Pros & Cons
Pros
- No separate per-user software license fee.
- Provides private-cloud storage under customer control.
- Supports web, desktop, and mobile clients.
- Combines synchronization, backup, sharing, versioning, and administration.
- Offers REST APIs and webhooks for workflow integration.
Cons
- Requires Synology NAS hardware and storage.
- Customers manage infrastructure, updates, security, and availability.
- User and concurrency limits vary by NAS model.
- Hosted competitors offer simpler deployment.
- Some integrations require additional Synology packages or custom development.
Synology Drive Pricing & Plans
Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
Synology Drive Competitors & Alternatives
Compare similar products directly, then see which alternatives may make more sense when your requirements differ.
Direct competitors
These products address broadly similar requirements. The descriptions focus on documented reasons a buyer might compare them with Synology Drive.
Synology Drive Features
File Management
- Web file portal
- Personal and shared team folders
- Browser preview for more than 100 file and video types
- Labels and search
- File access and sharing controls
Synchronization and Backup
- Two-way file synchronization
- On-demand synchronization
- Computer folder backup
- Mobile file synchronization
- Mobile photo and video backup
- Version recovery
- Intelliversioning
Sharing and Collaboration
- Permission-controlled sharing links
- Password and expiration controls
- File request links
- Download blocking
- Watermarks
- Synology Office document collaboration
Administration and Security
- Centralized Drive Admin Console
- Client and server activity monitoring
- Auditing for up to 40 action types
- Windows Active Directory mass deployment
- Group policies
- File ownership transfer
- Remote wipe
Multi-Site and Cloud
- ShareSync for NAS-to-NAS synchronization
- Hybrid Share support
- QuickConnect and customized sharing links
- Cross-site file access
API and Automation
- REST file management APIs
- Sharing APIs
- Admin console APIs
- Label APIs
- File request APIs
- Webhook APIs
Synology Drive Specifications
| Deployment | Self-hosted on Synology NAS |
|---|---|
| Access methods | Web portal, desktop client, mobile app |
| Desktop operating systems | Windows, macOS, Ubuntu |
| Mobile operating systems | Android, iOS, iPadOS |
| Storage model | NAS-installed storage capacity |
| License model | License-free software |
| Collaboration | Synology Office integration |
| Multi-site synchronization | ShareSync |
| Cloud-assisted storage | Hybrid Share |
| API type | REST API |
| Identity and deployment | Windows Active Directory support |
| Free trial | Not applicable; license-free NAS package |
| Maximum users | Varies by NAS model |
| Integrations | Synology Office, ShareSync, Hybrid Share, Active Directory, DSM services, REST APIs |
Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
8.6/10Moderate confidence
Synology Drive offers broad synchronization, backup, sharing, administration, auditing, versioning, mobile access, collaboration, and REST API capabilities. It has no separate software license fee, but requires Synology NAS hardware and local administration. GetApp reports generally positive verified user sentiment, while support quality can depend on the NAS model, deployment, and service channel.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
Synology Drive FAQs
Answers begin with the clearest available response, followed by the context that helps you act on it.
Does Synology Drive require a Synology NAS?
Yes. Synology Drive Server runs on a compatible Synology NAS, and the mobile application also requires a Synology NAS with Drive Server installed.
Which platforms does Synology Drive support?
Synology lists a web portal, Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, Android, iOS, and iPadOS support.
Does Synology Drive have a separate license fee?
No. Synology describes Drive as license-free. Hardware, storage, and optional services remain separate costs.
Does Synology Drive offer an API?
Yes. Synology documents REST APIs for file management, sharing, labels, administration, file requests, and webhooks. API documentation access may require a Synology Account.
What integrations are available?
Drive works with Synology Office, ShareSync, Hybrid Share, DSM identity and permission services, Windows Active Directory deployment, and Synology's productivity APIs. Broader public-cloud connections are generally handled through Synology Cloud Sync or related DSM tools.
Can users back up computers and phones?
Yes. Drive Client can synchronize and back up computer folders, while the mobile application can synchronize files and automatically back up photos and videos.
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