Asustor NAS
IntermediateAsustor NAS is a solid Google Drive alternative. Versatile and affordable NAS. Good Synology alternative for tighter budgets.
Information verified on July 7, 2026
This topic is chapter 6 of the book
Replacing Google Drive
Here, the big picture. In the book: the full method and the detailed walkthrough.
Description
Asustor makes affordable NAS devices with an interface (ADM) reminiscent of Synology's. Docker is supported, opening the door to advanced self-hosting. The price-to-performance ratio is good, but the community is smaller: fewer tutorials, fewer ready-made packages. It's a solid option if Synology exceeds your budget.
Key features
- More affordable prices
- User-friendly ADM interface
- Integrated cloud apps
- Docker compatibility
- Hardware transcoding
- Decent support
Strengths
- + Good value for money
- + Supports many apps and Docker containers
- + Solid alternative to Synology
Weaknesses
- − Smaller community
- − Fewer tutorials available in English
Recommended for
- Intermediate users needing a versatile NAS
- People wanting to self-host some services
Asustor NAS vs Google Drive: the comparison
| Criterion | Asustor NAS | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Price | One-time hardware purchase, drives to add based on your needs. | Free up to 15 GB, then Google One subscription |
| Targeted ads on your data | No | Yes (Google ad profile) |
| Source code | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Migration difficulty | Moderate (3/5) | — |
Comparison
Asustor is more affordable than Synology with similar features. Synology has more apps and documentation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Asustor NAS cost?
One-time hardware purchase, drives to add based on your needs.
How do you switch from Google Drive to Asustor NAS?
Estimated difficulty: Moderate (3/5). Configuration similar to Synology but less documentation. Smaller community. Good NAS entry point.
Who is Asustor NAS for?
You want a NAS more affordable than Synology. A good price/features compromise to start.