Best VPNs for Synology NAS
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Inga Valiaugaitė
Writer
A Synology NAS (Network-Attached Storage) is a storage device that’s connected to a network and is used to store and share files, media, and other data. It’s designed for home and small office use and provides a centralized storage solution that’s accessible from multiple devices.
While NAS servers are incredibly useful, they can also become targets of hackers.
One way to add an additional layer of security to your NAS device is by using a VPN. It encrypts Internet connection and routes it through a secure server, making it difficult for hackers to intercept your data. Additionally, a VPN can help you bypass geographical restrictions, protect your privacy online, and improve your online security overall.
For this reason, we tested and selected the best VPNs for Synology NAS and overviewed their functionality as well as compatibility with NAS – we’ll take you through them.
Top 5 best Synology NAS VPNs
- NordVPN – best VPN for Synology NAS
- Surfshark – well-built and affordable Synology NAS VPN
- IPVanish – Synology NAS-compatible VPN with fast speeds
- ExpressVPN – secure Synology NAS VPN with swift speeds
- CyberGhost – privacy-focused Synology NAS VPN with leak protection
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The best VPNs for Synology NAS – our detailed list
We’ve thoroughly tested a number of VPN providers and picked the best ones that are highly compatible with Synology NAS and excel in security, speeds, privacy, overall performance, and more. Check out the detailed descriptions below.
1. NordVPN – the overall best VPN for Synology NAS
| Server fleet: | 5,800+ servers in 60 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | 6 |
| Compatible with: | Synology NAS, QNAP NAS, FreeNAS, routers, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and more |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Get NordVPN with 68% OFF + 3 months FREE! 🔥 |
NordVPN is the best VPN choice for Synology NAS. It’s highly compatible with NAS devices, as it offers insightful tutorials on its website on how to set up a VPN with different tunneling protocols. NordVPN is also compatible with routers and is one of the best-performing services.
NordVPN offers advanced security with AES-256 encryption, a reliable kill switch, RAM-only servers, and undeniable privacy, as its no-logs policy has been independently audited. There’s also a Threat Protection feature, which makes sure your storage and other devices are threat-proof.
Performance and speeds are also what NordVPN excels at. It offers NordLynx (variation of WireGuard) tunneling protocol alongside OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec, which are needed for Synology NAS.
With more than 5,800 servers in 60 countries, you’ll be able to enjoy a lag-free experience on various platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It’s also possible to set NordVPN on a router and secure all your devices simultaneously.
Prices start at $3.19/month, and you can test it out with a 7-day free trial or a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more detailed information, visit our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – highly-compatible VPN service for Synology NAS
| Server fleet: | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| Compatible with: | Synology NAS, QNAP NAS, routers, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and more |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Get 82% OFF Surfshark + 2 months FREE 🔥 |
Surfshark is another top Synology NAS VPN service with budget-friendly plans. It’s highly compatible with Synology devices and has guided tutorials on the setup process with OpenVPN protocol.
The service stands out with its security: it offers unbreakable encryption (AES-256), operates under RAM-only servers, has Camouflage mode, independently audited no-logs policy, and more. Surfshark has obfuscated servers for additional protection too. To make sure your data is safe, there’s DNS and WebRTC leak protection and a functional kill switch.
Surfshark network exceeds 3,200 servers in 100 countries and has impressive speeds, thanks to WireGuard, primary tunneling protocol, and others – OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) and IKEv2 protocols.
The service can be used on unlimited simultaneous devices (available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS), so you can use it on as many (NAS) devices as you want.
Prices are very attractive, with plans starting from $2.30/month. You can use a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
To find out more, read our in-depth Surfshark VPN review. Learn how it fares against the best in our Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison.
3. IPVanish – secure Synology NAS VPN to protect all your devices
| Server fleet: | 2,200+ servers in 52 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| Compatible with: | Synology NAS, QNAP NAS, FreeNAS, routers, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Get 75% OFF IPVanish! 🔥 |
IPVanish is also one of our top picks for Synology NAS devices, and is recommended on the Synology community forum too. It offers the required OpenVPN protocol and operates under strict security measures.
With IPVanish, you get overall protection, as it implements modern AES-256 encryption, a built-in DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy for privacy, so all of your data is secured and cannot be compromised.
IPVanish has a handful of servers – over 2,200 servers in 52 countries, which is more than enough to connect from almost anywhere. Its performance and speeds are reliable, so you can rest assured your speeds won’t drop if you’re not too far away from the connected server location. IPVanish offers WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 tunneling protocols, which work perfectly with Synology NAS.
The service is compatible with most operating systems: Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
IPVanish prices start at $2.99/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more detailed information, visit our IPVanish review.
4. ExpressVPN – fast VPN for Synology NAS with an advanced feature set
| Server fleet: | 3,000+ servers in 94 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | 8 |
| Compatible with: | Synology NAS, QNAP NAS, FreeNAS, routers, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Get ExpressVPN, now 49% OFF the 1-year plan! 🔥 |
ExpressVPN is another Synology-compatible VPN service with an impressive feature set. Top-notch data leak protection and market-leading encryption make it ideal for Synology and other network-attached storage devices.
ExpressVPN keeps up with other market leaders, as it implements the modern AES-256 encryption and ChaCha20/Poly1305 if you use ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol. The provider also claims not to collect any of the user’s data, so it’s only visible to you.
What’s more, ExpressVPN offers more features that can be beneficial while using it with Synology NAS devices. These include stealth servers, Threat Manager, its own router app, and more.
With ExpressVPN, you can choose from thousands of servers in 94 countries and run it on Windows, macOS, Linus, iOS, Android, and browser extensions.
With premium subscription plans, which start from $6.67/month, you get 8 simultaneous connections. Also, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our ExpressVPN review and find out more. See how it differs from the leader in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.
5. CyberGhost – reliable and easy-to-use Synology NAS VPN
| Server fleet: | 9,600+ servers in 91 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | 7 |
| Compatible with: | Synology NAS, QNAP NAS, FreeNAS, routers, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more |
| Current deal: | 🔥Get CyberGhost VPN, now 84% OFF + 3 months FREE🔥 |
CyberGhost has also made it to our top list and is compatible with Synology network-attached storage devices. It provides extensive guides to get you started with OpenVPN. Besides, it offers protection for your files and online activities.
To start with, CyberGhost hides your data by using AES-256 encryption and implements a no-logs policy that’s been independently audited. From the extensive feature set, an ad blocker, an automated kill switch, and a dedicated IP will definitely contribute to your NAS staying protected.
CyberGhost provides WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN tunneling protocols, which are needed for use with Synology devices. It also boosts performance and speed, so you have a lag-free experience.
This VPN is compatible with all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can share the connection with up to 7 devices simultaneously and can connect to over 9,600 servers in 91 countries.
CyberGhost prices start from $2.11/month, and there’s a 45-day money-back guarantee available.
For more detailed information, visit our CyberGhost review.
How we selected and tested these VPNs
Selecting a VPN for your Synology device can be a tough nut to crack, as not all VPN services are compatible with NAS devices. For easier selection, we tested and selected only the top picks while following these criteria:
- Compatibility. Not all VPNs are compatible with Synology. However, all Synology devices, whether it’d be NAS, QNAP NAS, or FreeNAS, support L2TP, PPTP, and OpenVPN tunneling protocols. Hence, we selected the VPNs that have these available.
- Strong encryption and leak protection. VPN for Synology devices must have strong encryption to protect the storage of important files. We only picked the top-tier encryption VPNs.
- User-friendly installation process. Although Synology doesn’t support native VPN apps, it’s important that it has a straightforward manual installation process, such as easily found credentials and configuration files.
- Speed. The faster the VPN speeds, the better. It helps with the transferring of files that are large in size.
- Wide server network. More server locations mean more chances to have a VPN connection closer to the original area, and it won’t affect the speeds that much.
- Money-back guarantee or a free trial. It’s useful to have an opportunity to figure out if a VPN works with Synology – a money-back guarantee or a free trial lets you do that.
- Efficient customer support. The installation process of the VPN on a Synology NAS device isn’t the most simple task for the not tech-savvy users. Hence, the support of the VPN provider should be all-rounded.
Comparison of the best VPNs for Synology NAS
| NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand |  |  |  |  |  |
| Review | NordVPN review | Surfshark VPN review | IPVanish review | ExpressVPN review | CyberGhost review |
| Free trial | Yes, 7-day | Yes, 7-day | Yes, 7-day | Yes, 7-day | Yes, 1-day on a desktop, 3-day on Android, and 7-day on iOS |
| Price (lowest price per month) | $3.19/month | $2.30/month | $2.99/month | $6.67/month | $2.11/month |
| Device compatibility | Synology NAS, QNAP NAS, FreeNAS, routers, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and more | Synology NAS, QNAP NAS, routers, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and more | Synology NAS, QNAP NAS, FreeNAS, routers, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more | Synology NAS, QNAP NAS, FreeNAS, routers, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more | Synology NAS, QNAP NAS, FreeNAS, routers, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more |
| Streaming | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ |
| Logging | No logs, independently audited twice by PwC | No logs, independently audited by Deloitte | No logs, independently audited by Leviathan | No logs, independently audited by Cure53 | No logs, independently audited by Deloitte |
| Servers | 5,800+ servers in 60 countries | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries | 2,200+ servers in 52 countries | 3,000+ servers in 94 countries | 9,600+ servers in 91 countries |
| Simultaneous connections | 6 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 8 | 7 |
| Country | Panama | The Netherlands (part of 9-Eyes) | United States (part of 5-Eyes) | British Virgin Islands | Romania |
What are the reasons to use a VPN for Synology?
Although Synology NAS uses AES 256-bit encryption for stored files, risks can emerge when the files are transferred from or to your device, as then, they are unprotected.
Synology has also issued a security advisory alerting users to increased brute-force assaults on its products. So, whichever model of Synology you’d be using (Diskstation DS1522+, DS220+, DS220j, and others), a VPN is essential. We have listed multiple reasons why you should a VPN for Synology:
- Security. A VPN encrypts your Internet traffic, making it more secure and protecting your online activities from potential hackers, snoopers, and ransomware. Using a VPN for Synology enhances security, especially when accessing the NAS from public networks.
- Privacy. A VPN can also provide anonymity by masking your IP address and location. This is useful for users who want to protect their online privacy and prevent third parties from tracking their activities.
- Remote access. A VPN enables remote access to your Synology NAS from anywhere. This means you can access your files and data from home or work without compromising security.
- Secure file sharing. VPNs provide a secure way to share files and data with other users, especially when sharing sensitive information. A VPN ensures the data is encrypted and secure, protecting it from interception or theft.
- Avoid bandwidth throttling. Some Internet service providers (ISPs) may throttle your bandwidth if they detect high usage. With a VPN, your Internet traffic is encrypted, making it difficult for ISPs to detect the type of data you're transmitting. This can help you avoid bandwidth throttling and maintain a stable Internet connection.
How to set up a VPN with Synology NAS?
The easiest and most optimal way to set up a VPN with Synology NAS is by performing a manual OpenVPN configuration. Follow the steps below:
- Choose a reliable VPN service and purchase the subscription. We recommend NordVPN.
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For manual Synology NAS OpenVPN configuration, find the VPN service credentials. NordVPN service credentials can be found on your account.
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Choose a VPN server and download its OpenVPN configuration file. NordVPN server configuration files can be found here.
- Log in to your Synology NAS and go to the Control Panel, then Network.
- Under the Network interface tab, click on Create and choose to Create VPN profile.
- Choose OpenVPN (via importing a .ovpn file) and click Next.
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Fill in the fields as explained below:
Profile name: this can be anything, like the name of your VPN provider.
User name: VPN service credentials (from step 2).
Password: VPN service credentials (from step 2).
Import .ovpn file: use the file you have downloaded (from step 3).
CA certificate: you can leave this blank.
- Click Next and check the boxes for Use default gateway on a remote network and Reconnect when your VPN connection is lost.
- Click Apply.
- Select the profile you created and click Connect. Once the connection is successful, the status of the profile will change to Connected.
Are free VPNs good for Synology NAS?
Free VPNs can be risky for Synology NAS as they may not have suitable security protocols or reliable privacy policies. It's recommended to use a paid VPN with a good reputation and security features for better protection of your NAS data.
Alternatively, we recommend using a freemium VPN – a premium VPN service with a free trial or a money-back guarantee of a premium VPN. This way, you can test out all the features of the service without risking your security. Here are some options to try out:
- NordVPN. Market-leading service with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee to do a test run risk-free. Offers over 5,800 servers in 60 countries.
- Surfshark. Super fast VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections, a 7-day free trial, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. The service offers over 3,200 servers in 100 countries.
Conclusion
Simply put, when it comes to Synology and other NAS devices, using a VPN is highly beneficial, as you don’t want your files to be hacked or compromised in any way. We picked and thoroughly dissected the best VPNs available that offer excellent features, our top pick being NordVPN, followed by Surfshark, and more providers. It provides fast speeds, strong encryption, and a wide range of server locations.
Additionally, they are user-friendly and offer apps that are compatible with Synology devices. Choosing one of these top VPNs will help you enjoy a secure and private Internet experience while using your Synology NAS devices.
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FAQ
Should I use VPN on NAS?
Yes, it is recommended to use a VPN on Synology NAS to ensure secure remote access and protect your data from potential security threats. A VPN encrypts all traffic between your device and the NAS, making it more difficult for attackers to intercept and steal your data.
Can I run a VPN with my Synology NAS?
Yes, you can run a VPN with Synology NAS. However, not all VPNs are compatible with NAS. Since there are no VPN apps that run natively on NAS devices, the VPN service must have L2TP, PPTP, or OpenVPN protocols. Otherwise, the connection won’t be possible.
What VPN to use with Synology?
All of the VPNs we selected are highly compatible with Synology NAS and offer the required functionality to secure the device without a hurdle. Our top pick is NordVPN – it offers detailed guides for Synology devices setup, is simple to install, and comes with top-notch security features.
Can I install a VPN on the Synology router?
Yes, you can install a VPN on a Synology router. Synology devices support PPTP, L2TP, and OpenVPN tunneling protocols, with OpenVPN being the most secure and reliable. The setup process will differ according to the VPN provider. Alternatively, you can set up a VPN on any router to secure all the devices connected to it.
Is it legal to use a VPN for Synology?
Yes, it’s absolutely legal to use a VPN for Synology devices, as long as VPN is legal in your region and you’re not using it for any illegal activities. VPNs are commonly used to enhance privacy and security when accessing online content, including on Synology devices.
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