Asustor NAS
IntermediateAsustor NAS is a solid Google Drive alternative. Versatile and affordable NAS. Good Synology alternative for tighter budgets.
Information verified on July 22, 2026
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.
This topic is chapter 6 of my book
It answers these questions, among others:
- how do you empty Google Drive without losing anything, Google Docs included?
- encrypted cloud, NAS or personal server: which one fits your profile?
- and what does a NAS at home really involve, day to day?
Forthcoming 22/10/2026 from Éditions Eyrolles
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.
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