NAS help

[Enquiries]

Hello, I'm looking for help with an official NAS purchase and open to any brand but leaning towards Synology due to DSM interface. I've had various WD NAS for 20+ years and want to make the experience much more user friendly for my family as they have grown up using the NAS locally but are now leaving home. I would like to make cell phone photo/video/media uploading (to clear phone storage from iOS devices) much easier and accessible once stored on the server with facial recognition to help with searching.
I also have a wonderful wife who keeps me in check and doesn't want to spend any money on another NAS but also doesn't want to pay for cloud storage yet doesn't care for clunky WD interface either.
I was looking at the DS723+ since it is cheapest and is recommended but then see the 923+ with 2x more storage capability for not much more $ along with recommended QNAP TS-253E and get confused.
Basically, I need your help deciding on a good, budget friendly system.
Thanks, Steve

[ed]

Thanks for reaching out! It sounds like you're looking for an easy-to-use NAS solution that’s great for your family, especially with features like photo and video uploading from iOS devices, and facial recognition for organizing media.

Based on your needs and budget, I'd recommend Synology DS723+ as a solid starting point. It’s user-friendly with DSM, and while it has a 2-bay configuration, you can expand storage in the future with expansion units. The DS723+ is capable of RAID setups and can support up to 36TB with the right drives. The extra cost for the DS923+ isn’t substantial, but it may be overkill if you don't need 4-bay storage right away, unless you're planning to expand rapidly.

As for QNAP TS-253E, it’s another great option with a solid interface and feature set, but Synology's DSM is typically more beginner-friendly, and the facial recognition capabilities with Synology’s Photos app are excellent for organizing family photos and videos.

If you're looking for the most budget-friendly option under $500, you could consider DS220+, which is often cheaper but still offers great value with RAID support and DSM features. You could start with a 2x 10TB setup for around your target storage range, and then expand later.

Ultimately, the DS723+ would be a great choice if you want that extra storage flexibility, and QNAP is a good alternative if you want a more customizable solution, but Synology is usually easier to get started with.