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For most buyers, the TerraMaster F4-424 is the closest affordable four-bay alternative to a compact Minisforum NAS. It combines an Intel N95 quad-core processor, 8GB of DDR5-4800 memory, dual 2.5GbE, two M.2 NVMe cache slots and flexible RAID choices. Choose the QNAP TS-464 if expansion, HDMI output or media-oriented hardware matters more; choose the Synology DS224+ if you want the simplest two-drive household NAS. The ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR 2/4 Gen 2 is a reasonable secondary choice for people comfortable with ADM.
The right purchase depends less on brand than on bay count, network speed, software comfort and how much growth you expect. A two-bay NAS can mirror two drives for straightforward backup, while four bays provide more usable capacity and RAID options without immediately replacing your enclosure.
Quick verdict
| Model | Drive bays | Published hardware | Network | Software and expansion highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TerraMaster F4-424 | Four SATA bays | Intel N95 quad-core; 8GB DDR5-4800 | Two 2.5GbE ports | TOS; two M.2 NVMe cache slots; Single, JBOD, RAID 0/1/5/6/10 and TRAID |
| QNAP TS-464 | Four SATA bays | Intel Celeron N5095; 8GB configuration | Two 2.5GbE ports | QTS or QuTS hero; two M.2 PCIe Gen 3 slots; PCIe Gen 3 expansion slot; HDMI 2.1; manufacturer claims up to 72TB with four 24TB drives |
| Synology DS224+ | Two SATA bays | Intel Celeron J4125; 2GB DDR4, expandable to 6GB | Two 1GbE ports | DSM; two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports; 165 × 108 × 232.2 mm chassis |
| ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR 2/4 Gen 2 | Two- or four-bay versions | Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core, boost speeds up to 2.9GHz | Not stated in the cited ASUSTOR 2025 comparison | ADM; a secondary option for buyers who are comfortable administering a less familiar platform |
These are diskless enclosures unless a retailer explicitly bundles drives. Budget separately for NAS-rated SATA hard drives, and treat M.2 SSDs as optional cache devices rather than a substitute for a backup.
What makes a good Minisforum NAS alternative?
A compact NAS is normally expected to store files, present shared folders to several computers, synchronize documents and photos, and protect data against a single drive failure. Alternatives should therefore be compared on four practical questions:
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
- How many drives can it hold? Two bays are adequate for a mirrored home archive. Four bays add RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10 and additional expansion room.
- How quickly can clients connect? The DS224+ uses 1GbE, while the F4-424 and TS-464 provide two 2.5GbE ports. The faster ports only help when your computers, switch and cabling can negotiate 2.5GbE.
- How much administration do you want? DSM is designed as the low-friction choice. QTS, QuTS hero, TOS and ADM expose more tuning and package decisions, which can reward an experienced administrator but require more attention.
- Can the enclosure grow with you? Extra bays, M.2 slots, PCIe expansion and memory upgrades can delay a replacement when your library grows.
An October 2026 comparison places the Minisforum N5 in a mini-workstation category with more memory and faster connectivity, while describing the DS224+ as the easiest household system and the TS-464 as the four-bay, 2.5GbE option. That framing is useful for understanding the trade-off, but manufacturer specifications should decide a purchase.
TerraMaster F4-424: the closest affordable four-bay alternative
The F4-424 is the strongest default recommendation when you want a compact enclosure with four bays and modern connectivity without moving into a larger enterprise chassis. TerraMaster lists an Intel N95 quad-core CPU and 8GB of DDR5-4800 memory. That memory capacity gives the system more headroom for simultaneous file sharing, synchronization and indexing than an entry-level two-bay platform with 2GB installed.
Why it stands out
- Four bays: You can begin with two drives and add a matched pair later, or populate all four from the start for a parity array.
- Dual 2.5GbE: Two ports can serve separate network paths or be configured according to the network features supported by your switch and TOS version. Actual throughput remains limited by the slowest link and by disk performance.
- Two M.2 NVMe slots: These slots are intended for cache. Cache can improve repeated, small-file workloads, but it does not increase the amount of protected primary storage and should not be treated as your only copy.
- Broad array choices: TerraMaster lists Single, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10 and TRAID.
Which RAID choice fits?
With two drives, RAID 1 mirrors data and leaves usable capacity roughly equal to one drive. With four drives, RAID 5 uses one drive’s worth of parity and tolerates one drive failure; RAID 6 uses two drives’ worth of parity and tolerates two failures; RAID 10 mirrors pairs and stripes across them. TRAID is TerraMaster’s flexible option for combining drives of differing sizes, but read the current TOS documentation before mixing capacities so you understand how much space is usable and how expansion works.
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Who should buy it?
Choose the F4-424 if you want a four-bay starting point, 2.5GbE on a realistic home network, and enough memory for several services without immediately adding upgrades. It is also the most direct alternative when your priority is storage flexibility rather than a specific video-output workflow.
QNAP TS-464: best for expansion and media-oriented setups
The TS-464 is the more expandable four-bay choice. QNAP lists an Intel Celeron N5095, two 2.5GbE ports, two M.2 PCIe Gen 3 slots, a PCIe Gen 3 expansion slot and HDMI 2.1 output. QNAP supports both QTS and QuTS hero, giving buyers a choice of operating environments rather than locking the enclosure to one software model.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Expansion that the other short-list models lack
- PCIe Gen 3 slot: This provides a path for supported network or storage expansion cards. Confirm card compatibility with the current QNAP compatibility list before buying.
- HDMI 2.1: The port can be useful when the NAS is positioned near a display and your intended application supports local output. It is not a guarantee that every media format or application will play directly through HDMI.
- Dual M.2 PCIe Gen 3 slots: These can be assigned to supported cache or storage functions in the selected QNAP operating system.
- Four SATA bays: The chassis can start as a mirrored pair and later move to a four-drive layout, subject to the migration rules of the chosen array.
Capacity claim and planning caution
QNAP’s product information says the TS-464 supports up to 72TB using four 24TB drives. Treat that as the manufacturer’s stated platform limit for the cited configuration, not as a promise that every RAID layout will expose 72TB of usable space. Parity, mirroring, filesystem overhead and reserved snapshots reduce available capacity.
Who should buy it?
Select the TS-464 when you expect to add a network card, use local HDMI output, experiment with QTS and QuTS hero, or run a four-bay media and file server that may need more expansion than the F4-424 offers. Its extra choices also mean more decisions during setup; buyers who want an appliance-like experience may prefer DSM.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSynology DS224+: best for a simple two-drive household NAS
The DS224+ is intentionally simpler. Synology lists an Intel Celeron J4125, 2GB of DDR4 memory expandable to 6GB, two SATA bays, two 1GbE ports and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. The chassis measures 165 × 108 × 232.2 mm. Synology positions this generation for faster indexing in Synology Drive and Synology Photos than previous-generation systems.
What the two-bay design does well
Two bays keep the enclosure compact and make the initial decision straightforward: install two drives and select a mirrored arrangement when protection against one drive failure matters. DSM presents a mature set of file-sharing, synchronization and photo-management tools without requiring you to choose among several filesystem and expansion paths.
Limits to understand before buying
- Capacity ceiling: Two bays provide less raw capacity and fewer parity choices than a four-bay enclosure. If your media library is already large or growing quickly, replacing two drives with larger models may cost more than starting with four bays.
- Network ceiling: Each network port is 1GbE. Faster storage inside the NAS cannot remove that client-link limit.
- Less expansion: The published specification does not list M.2 cache slots or a PCIe expansion slot. The DS224+ is designed to stay uncomplicated rather than become a mini-workstation.
- Memory: The installed 2GB can be expanded to 6GB, but check Synology’s current memory compatibility guidance before purchasing a module.
Who should buy it?
Choose the DS224+ for household documents, computer backups, photo indexing and a small number of shared folders when ease of administration is more important than 2.5GbE or four-drive growth. It is the sensible two-bay answer, not the best choice for buyers who already know they need parity storage or several high-bandwidth clients.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR 2/4 Gen 2: a secondary ADM option
ASUSTOR’s 2025 comparison lists Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processors with boost speeds up to 2.9GHz for the NIMBUSTOR 2/4 Gen 2 family. The range includes two- and four-bay versions and runs ADM. It belongs on the shortlist when you are comfortable learning ADM and want to evaluate a platform outside DSM, QTS, QuTS hero or TOS.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Because the cited comparison does not establish a complete like-for-like set of network, memory and expansion figures for both chassis sizes, compare the exact model’s current specification before ordering. Do not assume that a two-bay and four-bay model in the same family have identical ports, upgrade paths or noise characteristics.
Two bays or four: a decision you can make before shopping
Choose two bays when these statements are true
- Your important data set fits comfortably on one drive today and is growing slowly.
- You want a simple mirror, with usable capacity approximately equal to one drive.
- You have a separate backup target or cloud copy and do not need the NAS itself to retain several historical versions.
- You value a smaller enclosure and lower initial drive cost over future expansion.
Choose four bays when any of these statements apply
- You need RAID 5, RAID 6 or RAID 10 rather than a two-drive mirror.
- You expect to add drives without replacing the whole enclosure.
- You store video, photos or project files for several users and want more usable capacity.
- You want room for separate volumes, testing or a cache pair while keeping primary data on SATA drives.
A four-bay enclosure is not automatically safer. RAID protects availability when a drive fails; it does not protect against deletion, ransomware, theft, fire or a damaged filesystem. Keep at least one additional copy outside the NAS.
Network speed: when 2.5GbE is worth paying for
1GbE links are adequate for routine documents, backups that run overnight and one or two household users. Dual 2.5GbE on the F4-424 and TS-464 raises the link ceiling for large transfers, but the benefit appears only when the client computer has 2.5GbE, the switch supports it, and the cabling negotiates the faster rate. A single hard drive, parity calculation, encryption, small-file workload or busy CPU can still become the bottleneck.
Do not buy a faster NAS solely because its port count looks impressive. First identify the computers that will transfer large files, the switch location and whether upgrading those links is practical. If most devices remain on 1GbE Wi-Fi or wired connections, the DS224+’s network may be sufficient and its simpler software could be more valuable.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Software and administration trade-offs
DSM on Synology
DSM is the low-friction choice in this group. It is a good fit when several household members need shared folders, Drive synchronization and Photos indexing without an administrator tuning many storage options. The trade-off is less hardware expansion on the DS224+.
QTS or QuTS hero on QNAP
QNAP lets the TS-464 run QTS or QuTS hero. That flexibility is useful for administrators who understand the implications of the selected storage stack, snapshots and application compatibility. It also means you should decide on the operating environment before creating arrays, because changing later may require migration or reinitialization.
TOS on TerraMaster
TOS exposes the F4-424’s RAID and TRAID choices, M.2 cache functions and multi-gigabit networking. It suits buyers who want more control than a basic two-bay appliance provides and are willing to maintain the system, apply updates and validate compatibility when adding drives or applications.
ADM on ASUSTOR
ADM can be a sound alternative when you already know its interface or application ecosystem. If this is your first NAS, include time for learning the terminology and backup workflow before moving irreplaceable data.
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How to plan drives, RAID and backups
- Measure your data. Add current documents, photos, videos, computer images and expected growth for at least the next two years. Leave free space for snapshots, temporary files and filesystem maintenance.
- Select the bay count. Use two bays for a mirrored home archive; use four when parity, expansion or several independent workloads justify the larger enclosure.
- Choose matched, NAS-rated SATA drives. Buy drives as a separate line item when the enclosure is diskless. Check the NAS maker’s compatibility list for the exact capacity and model.
- Choose the array before copying data. RAID 1 mirrors two drives; RAID 5 tolerates one failed drive; RAID 6 tolerates two; RAID 10 combines mirrored pairs. TRAID offers TerraMaster-specific flexibility, but read its expansion and capacity rules first.
- Decide whether cache is necessary. Add M.2 NVMe devices only for a workload that benefits from caching. Keep the original files on the protected SATA array and maintain backups.
- Define a second copy. Schedule NAS-to-external-drive, another NAS or cloud backups. Test a restore of several files and one complete folder, not merely the success notification.
Initial setup checklist
- Install the drives with the enclosure powered off and record each drive’s serial number.
- Connect the NAS to the router or switch, then update its operating system before creating user accounts or installing optional packages.
- Open the platform’s storage manager—DSM Storage Manager, QNAP Storage & Snapshots, TerraMaster’s storage management tools or ADM’s storage manager—and create the selected storage pool and volume.
- Create separate shared folders for documents, photos, media and backups. Give each user only the permissions needed for that folder.
- Enable versioning, snapshots or recycle-bin features where your chosen platform and filesystem support them, then account for the space they consume.
- Configure notifications for failed drives, degraded arrays, unusual login activity and completed backups.
- Set a fixed address or a reliable DHCP reservation so computers can reconnect after a router restart.
- Perform a test transfer from every important client, then perform a test restore before migrating the full library.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Buying a two-bay NAS for a four-bay workload
Replacing two large drives later can be more expensive and disruptive than buying four bays initially. If your forecast shows rapid growth, choose the F4-424 or TS-464 even if you populate only two bays on day one.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Assuming RAID is a backup
A mirrored or parity array keeps services available after a drive failure. It does not restore a file deleted by mistake or encrypted by malware. Maintain an independent backup and verify restores.
Paying for 2.5GbE without upgrading the network path
The F4-424 and TS-464 cannot deliver their full link speed to a 1GbE-only computer or switch. Map the path from NAS to client before purchasing new adapters or a switch.
Using cache as primary storage
Cache devices can fail, wear out or be removed during maintenance. Keep the authoritative copy on the main array and use cache only after you understand the platform’s cache mode and recovery procedure.
Ignoring drive compatibility
Capacity alone is not enough. Check the manufacturer’s current compatibility list, firmware requirements and supported expansion procedure for the exact enclosure and drive combination.
Generalising noise or power consumption
Drive count, drive model, fan profile and workload change acoustic and power results. No consistent controlled test covers all of these models here, so consult a current review that identifies its drive population and measurement method instead of assuming one model is universally quieter.
How to choose in one minute
- Buy TerraMaster F4-424 for the best balance of four bays, 8GB DDR5, dual 2.5GbE and broad RAID choices.
- Buy QNAP TS-464 for PCIe expansion, HDMI 2.1, dual M.2 PCIe Gen 3 slots and the choice of QTS or QuTS hero.
- Buy Synology DS224+ for a straightforward two-drive household system with DSM, modest size and expandable memory.
- Consider ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR 2/4 Gen 2 when ADM is a deliberate choice and you have verified the exact model’s current ports and expansion specifications.
Whichever enclosure you select, price the complete system rather than the empty box: drives, any required 2.5GbE networking, optional M.2 devices, a UPS if your location needs one, and an independent backup target all affect the final budget. Marketplace prices change frequently, so check current listings for the exact diskless model and warranty before ordering.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
