A NAS (network attached storage) is a small always-on computer built to store and serve files over your network. Instead of plugging a drive into one laptop, every device in your home or office can reach the same storage at the same time.
What network attached storage actually does
At its core, a NAS holds one or more hard drives and runs software that shares them. Beyond file sharing, most modern units add features like automatic photo backup from phones, media streaming, snapshots and remote access when you are away from home.
- Central storage for documents, photos and video
- Automatic backups for every computer in the house
- Media server for movies, music and photos
- Private "cloud" you control, with no monthly storage fee
NAS vs external drive vs cloud
| Option | Shared by many devices | Built-in redundancy | Ongoing cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| External drive | No | No | None |
| Cloud storage | Yes | Provider handles it | Monthly fee |
| NAS | Yes | Yes, with RAID | Electricity only |
Do you need one?
If you have more than one computer, a growing photo or video library, or you are tired of paying for cloud storage, a NAS is worth considering. If you only need to move a few files around occasionally, a good external drive is simpler and cheaper.
What to buy first
You need the NAS enclosure, plus drives, which are usually sold separately. Start by estimating how much data you have and how fast it grows, then choose the number of bays. Our NAS size picker does the maths for you, and the RAID calculator shows how much usable space your drives will give. Then read how to choose the best NAS hard drive and compare a NAS vs an external hard drive.
