Synology NAS for local AI
Updated
Is Synology good for local AI?
Not for running models on the NAS itself. Current Synology Plus models use AMD Ryzen V1500B or R1600 processors with no integrated graphics and no NPU, and none has a supported GPU path. Ollama runs in Container Manager for small models, and Synology AI Console connects DSM to cloud or self-hosted models elsewhere.
Which Synology systems do we track?
6 systems, 5 with a verified UK price. Sorted by AINAS Score.
| System | AI class | Score | Max RAM | Bays | Network | GPU expansion | UK price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | AI Capable | 32 | 32GB | 8 | 2 x 2.5GbE | None | £1,446 Verified |
 | AI Capable | 30 | 32GB | 5 | 2 x 2.5GbE | None | £1,079.99 Verified |
 | AI Capable | 29 | 32GB | 4 | 2 x 2.5GbE | None | £659.28 Verified |
 | AI CapableDiscontinued | 28 | 32GB | 4 | 1GbE | None | Price awaiting first verification |
 | AI Capable | 26 | 32GB | 2 | 2.5GbE | None | £509.11 Verified |
 | Traditional NASDiscontinued | 15 | 6GB | 2 | 1GbE | None | £544.99 Verified |
What AI features do Synology systems support?
Local LLM
0 of 6
6 more with limits. 0 documented by Synology.
Ollama
5 of 6
1 more with limits. 0 documented by Synology.
Open WebUI
5 of 6
1 more with limits. 0 documented by Synology.
GPU expansion
0 of 6
0 documented by Synology.
AI photos
5 of 6
1 more with limits. 6 documented by Synology.
Surveillance AI
6 of 6
6 documented by Synology.
Classes in this range: 5 AI Capable, 1 Traditional NAS.
Which Synology models can run local AI?
All of the 2025 Plus models, DS725+, DS925+, DS1525+ and DS1825+, can run Ollama and Open WebUI in Container Manager, as community guides show. With no graphics, no NPU and four cores at most, they suit 1B to 3B models at a usable speed and 7B models slowly. The memory ceiling is 32GB across the range.
We class them as AI Capable. The older DS923+ sits in the same class; the DS224+, with a 6GB ceiling, is a Traditional NAS.
What is the best way to use a Synology with AI?
Use it for what it does best, storage, backup and photos with on-device recognition, and run the model elsewhere. Synology AI Console links DSM to an OpenAI-compatible endpoint, which can be a GPU machine or a mini PC on your own network. Synology's own GPU-based AI search features are limited to its FS and 26-series systems, which we do not currently track.
Synology comparisons
Head-to-head comparisons for Synology systems are being prepared.
Guides for Synology owners
Setup guides for Synology systems are being prepared.