5 Best VPNs for Synology NAS in 2023 — Secure and Fast Setup

As a leading Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, Synology provides a centralized data storage service that’s highly secure. But even with this high level of security, your connection remains unprotected when you share files with others on your network. Since people use Synology NAS devices to store sensitive information, this can be a real concern.

After testing 50+ VPNs, my team and I found the best VPNs for Synology and shortlisted the top ones. All of these VPNs encrypt your connection, so you can transfer files without fear of hackers or snoops. Plus, they barely decrease your speeds and don’t leave any trace of your online activity.

My favorite VPN for Synology NAS is ExpressVPN, as its fast speeds, military-grade encryption, and no-logs policy provide secure connections without compromise. You can even test ExpressVPN with Synology risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. That means you can get a full refund if you’re unhappy with the service.

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Best VPNs for Synology — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)

All my shortlisted VPNs protect our sensitive information stored on your Synology NAS and provide fast connections. Features like AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy hide your Synology activity, ensuring high levels of online privacy.

Plus, they’re easy to install and set up on your Synology device, as you can configure them with the OpenVPN protocol.

1. ExpressVPN — Lightning-Fast Speeds for Efficient File Transfers on Synology NAS

Thanks to ExpressVPN’s ultra-fast speeds, you can quickly transfer Synology NAS files on your local network. During my tests, I recorded an average download speed of 88.54 Mbps and 86.4 Mbps on its US and UK servers, respectively. This is only 15% slower than my non-VPN speeds, ideal for sharing large files without wasting time. In other words, it would take you less than 2 minutes to download a 1GB file, which is pretty efficient.

It’s easy and efficient to transfer files on Synology with ExpressVPN

Its robust security features will protect your personal data on Synology. It uses AES 256-bit encryption and OpenVPN protocol, which leading security agencies use to make connections impenetrable. While Perfect Forward Secrecy is an encryption standard that creates a new key for every bit of data sent — even if your connection could get hacked, the information would be unreadable. The SHA512 hashing with a 4096-bit RSA key is more advanced than the typical 2048-bit RSA keys.

Additionally, its automatic kill switch will cut your internet connection if the VPN drops, providing no room for accidental data exposure. All this means you can be assured of safe file transfers. Trusted Server Technology (RAM-only servers) adds an additional layer of protection by wiping all data after each reboot, ensuring no risk from data storage.

Privacy-wise, ExpressVPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy, which ensures that none of your Synology activity gets recorded anywhere. It’s also based in the British Virgin Islands, an overseas territory with friendly privacy laws. All this means that ExpressVPN won’t hand over any of your data (like browsing history) if authorities were to investigate it.

Since ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, you’re bound to find one close to you. The benefit of this is that your user experience or speed won’t be affected by the distance between you and your server since longer distances can cause lag. By using ExpressVPN’s “Smart Location” feature, you can also connect to the best server that’s nearest you, meaning you won’t have to find a reliable server yourself.

A minor downside is its expensive subscriptions, starting from $6.67/month. Luckily, you can save up to 49% with ExpressVPN’s frequent deals. When I signed up for a 12-month plan, I also got the first 3 months for free.

On top of that, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested its refund policy and found it straightforward. After asking a 24/7 live chat representative to cancel my subscription, l only had to answer 1 question about my experience. The full refund arrived on my credit card 2 business days later.

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2. CyberGhost — Easy to Install on Synology NAS Through the OpenVPN Protocol

CyberGhost can be easily installed on most devices, including Synology NAS. Thanks to helpful instructions on its website, I set up CyberGhost on my Synology device by configuring it with the OpenVPN protocol — it took only 4 minutes. For OpenVPN, CyberGhost offers both UDP and TCP. It’s also possible to install the VPN on your home router and use it on all your WiFi-connected devices, including Synology NAS, giving you even more flexibility.

Your online activity remains private, thanks to AES 256-bit encryption, DNS/IP leak protection, and a no-logs policy. The robust encryption levels prevent malicious parties from intercepting your connection, while the DNS/IP leak protection ensures your actual IP address or DNS request won’t get revealed accidentally. I didn’t detect any leaks while testing CyberGhot’s US servers on ipleak.net. Plus, with its no-logs policy, your personally identifiable information won’t be recorded or shared with anyone.

You can trust CyberGhost to protect your sensitive files on Synology NAS

For extra privacy, upgrade and connect to one of its NoSpy servers in Romania, which prevents third-party snooping. Since Romania has privacy-friendly laws and is outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, there's no way your data will fall into the wrong hands. And when QSCERT audited CyberGhost, no issues were uncovered, providing even more peace of mind.

Regarding speeds, CyberGhost proves to be a reliable and efficient choice. While not as fast as ExpressVPN, I could still transfer files without interruption. My download speed averaged 82.3 Mbps across the 3 US servers I tested, while the 2 Australian servers came in at 80.6 Mbps. While this was around a 20% drop compared to my base speeds, it barely made a difference when sharing files. In short, transferring large files won’t be time-consuming or frustrating.

I found its monthly plans quite expensive and only provide a short 14-day refund period. The good news is you can get a long-term subscription for just $2.19/month, which comes with a generous money-back guarantee. Features-wise, it’s the same as the monthly option.

It’s even possible to test CyberGhost with Synology NAS for free by using its 45-day money-back guarantee. To test this policy, I asked a 24/7 customer service agent for a refund over email. I got confirmation regarding my cancelation request in just a few hours. A full refund to my bank account took only 3 business days.

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3. Private Internet Access — Massive Server Network for Fast and Reliable Connections

By making use of Private Internet Access’s (PIAs) server network of 29,650 servers in 84 countries, you can quickly find and connect to a server near you for fast and reliable speeds. With so many servers to choose from, you won’t have to worry about overcrowding, which could reduce your Synology speeds. I got an average download speed of 74.5 Mbps when I tested its US servers, allowing me to transfer a 750 MB file in under 1.5 minutes. Even though my non-VPN speed was over 90 Mbps, PIA let me use Synology without lag. It also provides SOCKS5 proxy for the best P2P performance.

A handy feature of PIA is its customizable security features, as you can choose your encryption level and VPN protocol. Choosing between AES 128 and 256-bit encryption lets you balance speed and security. I recommend PIA’s advanced security protocols (like OpenVPN and PPTP) for Synology NAS because they provide strong privacy and security protections. The VPN also provides a kill switch and DNS/IP leak protection, so you’re well protected against online threats.

Optimizing your Synology connection isn't complicated with PIA

A red flag for me was PIA’s US home base, which is at the heart of the 5 Eyes Alliance network. But since it has an independently audited no-logs policy, I can confirm that PIA won’t collect your data or track your web searches, which puts me at ease.

A long-term subscription is available at only $2.03/month. Apart from the prices, there’s no difference between the long and short-term plans. So, I recommend the 2-year option as it provides the best savings.

Thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test all of PIA’s features risk-free. I requested a refund through its 24/7 live chat to see if it was trustworthy. After telling them about my experience with the VPN, they fully refunded my PayPal account within 5 days.

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4. IPVanish — Unlimited Simultaneous Device Connections to Protect All Your Devices

With an Unlimited number of connections, you can use the IPVanish app to protect all your devices at the same time without sacrificing performance. I connected 12 devices, including my Synology NAS, Windows laptop, various smartphones, and tablets, and was able to upload large files at super-fast speeds during my tests.

IPVanish provides you with cutting-edge security protocols and a kill switch to safeguard your Synology data. The kill switch severs your internet connection should your VPN unexpectedly cease functioning, such as when your laptop enters sleep mode. During installation, protocols like OpenVPN and L2TP can be employed to configure your Synology NAS securely. Essentially, your data is fully protected from falling into the wrong hands.

IPVanish has several security settings for Synology NAS

Unfortunately, the VPN doesn’t accept cryptocurrency payments, which can be inconvenient. But since it accepts PayPal, credit card, and online gift card options, you shouldn’t run into any issues. It’s even possible to get a long-term IPVanish plan for $2.49/month and add cloud storage as an extra.

Additionally, you can test IPVanish with Synology NAS without worry as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I didn’t need to speak to a customer service agent to get a refund (even though they’re available 24/7). I simply logged into my account via the dashboard and canceled it from there. My money was refunded to my credit card in full after 2 clicks and 5 business days.

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5. PrivateVPN — Robust Encryption That Protects Your Synology Connection Without Slowing Speeds

Since PrivateVPN has several customizable security features (like PIA), you can optimize your Synology NAS connection to share files securely. For example, using AES 128-bit with Port Forwarding gave me the best speeds for uploading large files — when I tested 3 US and 2 UK servers, my speeds never went below 68.6 Mbps. But I prefer AES 256-bit for extra protection when downloading files from unknown third-party sources.

There are several security settings on PrivateVPN you can customize

Additionally, detailed, sequential instructions are provided for setting up the VPN using OpenVPN or PPTP. If you have any questions, you can reach out to the support team and receive guidance directly from the VPN's developers. To further enhance convenience, the service also provides free remote installation.

I was concerned with PrivateVPN’s small server network of 200 servers in 63 countries. But considering the fast speeds, I got on my tests, you don’t have to worry about server congestion slowing you down.

Its long-term plans are very affordable at $2/month. I recommend the 3-year plan because it has the same features as the slightly more expensive monthly options.

And since there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try PrivateVPN risk-free. I used its 24/7 live chat and asked for a refund. After answering 2 questions about my experience, the agent proceeded with my request. All my money arrived in my bank account by the end of the week.

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How to Install a VPN on Synology

You can install a VPN on Synology using the OpenVPN or PPTP protocol. The instructions are very similar for different VPNs. But for specifics, you might want to refer to the installation instructions on your VPN’s website. However, here are the basic installation instructions:

OpenVPN

1. Download the OpenVPN configuration files. Go to your VPN provider’s website, sign in to your account, and download the configuration files for OpenVPN. Make sure you select your current country as the location for the files.
2. Disable IPv6. Open the control panel on your Synology device, pick “LAN” under “Network Interface,” and choose “Edit”. Then, choose “IPv6”, open “IPv6 Setup”, and select “Off” before restarting your Synology device.
3. Create a VPN profile on Synology. Go to the “Network Interface” tab under “Network” in the Synology control panel. Then, click “Create,” select “Create VPN profile,” and choose “OpenVPN (via importing a.ovpn file)” before clicking “Next”. Finally, enter the required profile details, upload the OpenVPN files from step 1, and select “Next”.
4. Apply your VPN profile. Check the boxes “Use default gateway on remote network” and “Reconnect when the VPN connection is lost”. Then, click “Apply”.
5. Connect to a VPN server. Go back to the Network interface, find the VPN profile you created in step 3, and click “Connect”. You know you're connected when the word “Connected” appears under your name. To disconnect, simply click the “Disconnect” button.

PPTP

1. Create a VPN Profile. Follow the same steps as OpenVPN but choose “PPTP” instead. Enter the required details and the advanced settings, which are usually “MS-CHAP v2” for authentication and “Maximum MPPE (128 bit)” for encryption. This depends on your VPN provider, so check with them first.
2. Apply your profile. Like OpenVPN, check the boxes “Use default gateway on remote network” and ‘Reconnect when the VPN connection is lost” before clicking “Apply”.
3. Connect to your server. Choose your PPTP profile and click “Connect”.

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Quick Comparison Table: Synology VPN Features

Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for Synology

For safeguarding your Synology device without sacrificing speed, a VPN with robust security measures and a high-speed, worldwide network is necessary. All the VPNs on my list offer these functionalities and beyond. Nevertheless, if you wish to conduct your own evaluations, I've compiled a list of features to inspect, as outlined below:

• Roust security and privacy features — Since Synology primarily stores and transfers sensitive files on an unsecured network, having proper security and privacy protections is vital. The main features to look for in a VPN are AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, DNS/IP leak protection, and a no-logs policy.
• Fast speeds — VPNs are known to slow your connection speeds due to increased levels of encryption. But a high-quality VPN will barely make a difference. For Synology, choose a VPN that can transfer large files without any slowdown or interruption.
• Global server network — Your server location significantly affects your connection, as longer distances usually result in unreliable speeds. An extensive server network will let you choose a server close to you so that you can experience a fully optimized connection for Synology.
• Easy to install — Since Synology doesn’t support native VPN apps, you’ll need to manually install a VPN on your Synology device to protect it. For this reason, selecting a VPN you can easily install on devices that don’t support native apps is best.
• Legitimate money-back guarantee — This lets you get a feel for your VPN without any financial risk during a set period (usually 30 days). In short, you can claim a full refund by a specific date if it’s not for you.

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FAQs on Synology VPNs

Can I use a free VPN for Synology NAS?

It’s possible to use a free VPN for Synology NAS, but I strongly advise against it. While the free aspect might be enticing, a top-tier VPN with a money-back guarantee is a more reliable option. A big issue with free VPNs is the lack of advanced security features (like a kill switch and protocols), which make free VPNs unsafe for Synology NAS. Free services also tend to limit speed and servers, which result in slowdowns and congestion.

Lastly, free VPNs are notorious for collecting user data and selling it to third parties for profit. Since Synology NAS is used to store personal data, free VPNs are a risky option.

Why do I need a VPN for Synology?

The main reason to use a VPN for Synology is security and privacy. Although files on your Synology NAS are protected, the danger lies in transferring files to and from your device. This can be especially risky if you or another user access Synology from an unsecured network such as a public WiFi hotspot.

Installing a VPN onto your Synology NAS will automatically encrypt all incoming and outgoing traffic. This means that any malicious third party will not be able to access your sensitive information, even if they can intercept your traffic.

Since a VPN reroutes all of your data through one of its own private servers, this also means hackers will not be able to see the IP address of your home or business network. They will only be able to see the IP address of the VPN server, protecting your network from any targeted cyber attacks.

Is it legal to use a VPN for Synology?

As long as your country hasn’t outlawed VPNs, it’s legal. Some countries with restricted VPN use include China, Russia, and Belarus. If you’re visiting one of these places, download and install a VPN onto your Synology device before traveling. Also, I strongly recommend you familiarize yourself with your country and Synology’s legal guidelines so that you don’t accidentally break any laws.

What is a Synology VPN server package?

A Synology VPN server package lets you install a VPN on your Synology NAS device. With the Synology server package, you can use a VPN to protect Synology files shared with other users on the same network. Plus, you can use it to make your Synology device a VPN server by configuring it with the OpenVPN or PPTP protocols. Just make sure you get a VPN that supports these advanced protocols to ensure maximum security.

Do Synology routers support VPNs?

Yes, Synology routers support VPNs, meaning you can install a VPN on one. You just need a VPN compatible with routers that supports OpenVPN, like ExpressVPN. This way, you can securely access your local network from anywhere. This is particularly handy if you’re part of a team that works remotely and needs to share files. There’s also a remote-based desktop client that lets you administer VPN connections and access software exclusively.

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Get the Best VPN for Synology Now

By installing a VPN on your Synology NAS device, you can protect files and other forms of data that you share with others on your local network. The VPN installation is manual because Synology doesn’t support native VPN apps. But by following a few simple instructions, you’ll be set up and protected in no time.

My favorite VPN for Synology NAS is ExpressVPN, as its fast speeds, strong security features, and trustworthy no-logs policy keeps you secure without slowing you down. And since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test all of ExpressVPN’s features without risk. That means you can get a refund if it doesn’t work out.

To summarize, the best VPNs for Synology are…