Synology Launches BeeStation: A New Home NAS Solution

Synology, best known for its network-attached storage (NAS) solutions like the popular DS920+, has introduced a new product: the Synology BeeStation. Designed to simplify home NAS, BeeStation offers a local network backup alternative to cloud services like iCloud and Dropbox. Here’s how it works and what you can expect.

BeeStation Overview

The BeeStation is unlike Synology’s traditional NAS devices. It’s a sealed box with no accessible drive bays, about the size of a thick hardback book. This compact, black box can fit discreetly in any room, possibly next to your Wi-Fi router, as it requires a wired Ethernet connection.

Inside, the BeeStation houses a 4 TB hard drive, with around 3.5 TB of usable space. The top of the device features a discreet grille for heat dissipation. While it’s not silent, the noise from the fans and the internal hard drive is minimal. However, you may want to consider its placement in your home to avoid any disturbances.

 Simple Setup

BeeStation is aimed at a mainstream audience and designed to be user-friendly. The setup process is straightforward. Download the BeeStation app, plug in the power and Ethernet cables, and follow a few simple steps to configure the device and link it to your Synology account. Unlike Synology’s DiskStation, you won’t need to manage storage volumes, install apps, or set up users and services. Everything is streamlined for ease of use.

BeePhotos: Photo Backup Simplified

The BeePhotos iPhone app lets you back up your photos directly from your device’s photo library. For larger libraries, Synology recommends using an iCloud Privacy takeout ZIP file for easier import. My library, which is about 30 GB in size, transferred wirelessly to the BeeStation over the course of a day. It was a slow but painless process.

Subsequent syncs are quick, as the app only imports new photos. However, the app doesn’t detect deleted photos from your Apple Photos library, so you’ll need to manually delete them from BeePhotos as well. This quirk forces you to use BeePhotos as your primary photo app, which may not appeal to everyone.

BeePhotos is functional but lacks the polish of Apple Photos. It offers basic browsing by date, AI tagging, and the ability to share albums. But it doesn’t have features like memory movies or an iOS widget, and there’s no native desktop app for browsing your library. You’re limited to a web app, which is serviceable but not ideal.

 BeeFiles: Seamless File Syncing

BeeFiles offers a straightforward file syncing solution. With a single click, you can create a “Dropbox” replacement. A BeeStation location appears in Finder on your Mac, and any files saved there automatically sync to the BeeStation. You can offload files to free up local space, and backup other folders on your Mac without two-way syncing. If your Mac fails, you can recover your documents from BeeStation. Files are accessible through the web app, and you can share them via links.

 Conclusion

The Synology BeeStation provides an ecosystem for file and photo backup without a monthly subscription. It’s an appealing option for mainstream users who want a local backup solution. However, it comes with trade-offs, especially for photo management. BeeStation’s simplified approach might not satisfy users who prefer more control or need the advanced features found in Apple Photos.

For files, BeeStation works well as an on-site backup solution. But for more advanced users or those already using Synology NAS, the BeeStation may not be as compelling. For mainstream customers, it’s a good alternative to cloud services, depending on whether you prefer a one-time purchase over a recurring subscription.

The Synology BeeStation is available now on Amazon for $219. You can learn more about it on Synology’s website.