Dell PowerProtect Data Manager vs Synology DSM comparison

Dell Technologies and Synology are both solutions in the Backup and Recovery category. Dell Technologies is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.3, while Synology is ranked #53. Dell Technologies holds a 2.4% mindshare in BRS, compared to Synology’s 1.4% mindshare. Additionally, 94% of Dell Technologies users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Synology users who would recommend it.

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

Read 19 Dell PowerProtect Data Manager reviews

6,842 Views
5,816 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

Synology DSM

Read 10 Synology DSM reviews

2,887 Views
2,858 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

Synology DSM

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 11, 2024

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager and Synology DSM are both powerful data management solutions. Users generally prefer Dell PowerProtect Data Manager for its pricing and support, while Synology DSM is favored for its features and deployment ease.

Features: Dell PowerProtect Data Manager offers robust backup capabilities, comprehensive data protection, and efficient performance. Synology DSM is noted for its versatility, user-friendly design, and feature-rich environment, including extensive app support. Users find Synology DSM to provide more valuable features that enhance daily operations.

Room for Improvement: Dell PowerProtect Data Manager could benefit from a more intuitive management console, better integration options, and refinements in usability. Enhancing Synology DSM’s scalability, advanced security features, and expanding its capabilities would improve its overall experience.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Dell PowerProtect Data Manager is praised for its straightforward deployment process and comprehensive customer support. Synology DSM, also easy to deploy, shines with its detailed documentation and community support, providing an enriched support ecosystem that many users find beneficial.

Pricing and ROI: Dell PowerProtect Data Manager is considered cost-effective with a quick ROI due to its competitive pricing and strong support services. Synology DSM, while slightly more expensive, offers significant ROI through its extensive features and reliability. Users feel that despite the higher initial cost, Synology DSM delivers greater overall value.

To learn more, read our detailed Dell PowerProtect Data Manager vs. Synology DSM Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager vs. Synology DSM

February 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

Ranking in Backup and Recovery

11th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Deduplication Software (6th)

Synology DSM

Ranking in Backup and Recovery

53rd

Average Rating

9.0

Reviews Sentiment

8.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Backup and Recovery category, the mindshare of Dell PowerProtect Data Manager is 2.4%, down from 4.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Synology DSM is 1.4%, down from 1.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Backup and Recovery Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Dell PowerProtect Data Manager	2.4%
Synology DSM	1.4%
Other	96.2%

Backup and Recovery

Featured Reviews

Jerome Edwards

Ops Specialist: System Engineer Backup at BCX

Backup platform has provided faster, reliable RMAN protection for critical databases

I apologize, but I'm not in a position to answer what areas of Dell PowerProtect Data Manager I would like to see improved or enhanced. There is still a lot of features that we haven't tried yet. I can't say whether I can answer that because we basically don't experiment as often as we should on PPDM. I won't be able to answer that. Based on my use cases with Dell PowerProtect Data Manager, I would like to see alerts improved, as streamlining the alerts could help. The alerts are becoming an issue because we don't always get notified of certain things via the alerts.

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Michael Adejoh

Solutions Manager at Excel Connect Ventures

Reliable and cost-effective

One area where Synology DSM could improve is in enhancing its ability to detect and respond to security threats during backups and replication. Currently, it lacks the capability to automatically stop backups if it detects a virus or suspicious network activity, as some third-party solutions can. Having AI-driven analytics to identify anomalies and halt backups during potential attacks, along with notifications to administrators, would be valuable. Additionally, providing a dashboard for monitoring the backup environment's security would be a beneficial feature. These improvements would help address security concerns and make Synology more competitive in this aspect.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The use of Dell PowerProtect Data Manager certainly improves the speed of my data recovery efforts compared to the previous Dell products because it is easier to use and much faster; the compression and deduplication are also good, which helps in recovery."

"Dell PowerProtect Data Manager is a comprehensive backup software that integrates with Dell backup storage to enhance data protection."

"Dell EMC PowerProtect Data Manager is user-friendly and easy to use. it does what it needs to do."

"The deduplication is the most valuable feature because it helps to control the overhead."

"The product's initial setup phase was easy."

"It satisfies my customers' scalability needs and provides interactive features, allowing efficient integration."

"The solution's initial setup is straightforward."

"I love that it has an interactive GUI, and it is not complicated to use."

More Dell PowerProtect Data Manager pros

"The solution's most valuable feature stems from its ease of use, making it the tool's most interesting part."

"Because of its simplicity and the wide array of features it offers, I would recommend DSM for both tech-savvy individuals and those who prefer a straightforward file-serving solution."

"The product performs well. It is easy to use and implement."

"Synology DSM is very easy to work and operate."

"The most valuable features are the basic storage, file management, Btrfs file system, and built-in backups that come with the solution."

"It offers a variety of software options through its package center, allowing users to customize their NAS device to serve multiple purposes."

"The most valuable aspect is its ability to handle multiple disks."

"The most valuable features of Synology DSM are its security and connectivity."

More Synology DSM pros

Cons

"The interface is too complex."

"The solution should enhance its user interface and make it more flexible."

"The Dell EMC PowerProtect Data Manager reports could improve. There should be different kinds of reports on failures, such as dashboards that we can submit to top management or auditors."

"When I raise a ticket, it sometimes takes a while to get a response."

"PowerProtect Data Manager is missing a feature for takeout, which means I cannot store backup data off-site within the software. This is a limitation for organizations that require off-site solutions."

"There is always room for improvement. The compression ratio should be improved as well as the efficiency."

"A lot of improvement is required in Dell's first level of support."

"Regarding the pricing aspect of Dell PowerProtect Data Manager, I am not very happy with that; compared to some other products, it is a bit more costly, and there are definitely areas for improvement."

More Dell PowerProtect Data Manager cons

"Even though Synology provides a backup solution, it does not recognize the VM movement across cluster hosts."

"Synology DSM is a good enough solution for small and medium companies, but I have not seen a big configuration of the solution for a big organization."

"Users may lose their data if they don't configure the solution properly."

"There's a surveillance application that allows you to connect IP cameras and stream footage to Synology and it is a great feature, but it's not always clear that adding more cameras may require purchasing additional licenses."

"The platform could be much more cost-effective and flexible for integrating third-party products."

"The product's only shortcoming is pricing, as it is an expensive solution."

"One area where Synology DSM could improve is in enhancing its ability to detect and respond to security threats during backups and replication."

"The only bothersome aspect is that the device is aging."

More Synology DSM cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We offer monthly or yearly subscriptions. The price could be cheaper."

"The product is offered at a very competitive price in the market."

"The solution is not less expensive than competitors but pricing deals are available."

"Dell PowerProtect Data Manager is not an expensive solution."

"The solution is more affordable than other vendors."

"The price of Dell EMC PowerProtect Data Manager is reasonable."

"The licensing costs and pricing model are based on capacity and the license is easy to upgrade."

"The licensing part of the solution is free. The hardware is more expensive than the other solutions in the market, but it's okay in the long run."

"Synology DSM is a free tool."

"Synology DSM is a cheap solution."

"It is quite an affordable solution."

"The solution’s pricing is neither cheap nor expensive."

"The pricing varies widely, catering to a broad range of needs."

"The price of the solution is very good."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

12%

Computer Software Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Computer Software Company

14%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	8
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	9

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	8
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	1

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Dell PowerProtect Data Manager?

One notable feature is its robust backup support for Kubernetes and container environments. Additionally, PPDM stands out for its ease of deployment and management compared to other backup solution...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Dell PowerProtect Data Manager?

I think the license for Dell PowerProtect Data Manager is the same as other backup software.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Dell PowerProtect Data Manager?

Regarding data recovery improvements in Dell PowerProtect Data Manager, there are challenges with data sets larger than one terabyte that are not related to VM. While VM recovery functions adequate...

See all answers

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Comparisons

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Compared 27% of the time

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Compared 12% of the time

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Compared 9% of the time

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain vs Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

Compared 7% of the time

Commvault Cloud vs Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

Compared 4% of the time

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Veeam Data Platform vs Synology DSM

Compared 6% of the time

UrBackup vs Synology DSM

Compared 6% of the time

GoodSync For Business vs Synology DSM

Compared 5% of the time

NetApp SnapCenter vs Synology DSM

Compared 5% of the time

NAKIVO Backup & Replication vs Synology DSM

Compared 3% of the time

More Synology DSM Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

February 2026

Download Dell PowerProtect Data Manager product report

Buyer's Guide

Synology DSM

January 2026

Download Synology DSM product report

Also Known As

PowerProtect, Dell EMC PowerProtect

Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM)

Overview

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager provides efficient backup and recovery for hybrid and multicloud environments. It consolidates VMware, Kubernetes, database, and file system protection through a singular interface.

PowerProtect Data Manager is a software-defined platform that integrates modern backup and recovery capabilities, focusing on enhancing performance metrics like RPO and RTO. It supports operations through automated discovery, policy-driven protection, and intelligent analytics while offering cloud mobility and robust cyber recovery mechanisms. Its architecture is designed to address complex data management needs while providing flexibility, backup efficiency, and capacity management. With capabilities spanning on-premise and cloud options, it delivers a comprehensive approach for data protection.

What key features make Dell PowerProtect Data Manager stand out?

High Deduplication: Optimizes storage by reducing data footprint.
Kubernetes Support: Ensures seamless integration with containerized environments.
Data Domain Integration: Enhances recovery metrics and performance.
Advanced Access Controls: Strengthens security measures.
Scalable Architecture: Adapts to growing enterprise needs.

What benefits should users look for in reviews?

Ease of Deployment: Simplifies initial setup and configuration processes.
User-Friendly Interface: Facilitates an intuitive user experience.
Flexibility in Deployment: Supports both cloud and on-premise environments.
Efficient Data Reduction: Saves storage costs and optimizes resources.
Secure Data Management: Provides peace of mind with robust security features.

Organizations in telecom and enterprise sectors employ Dell PowerProtect Data Manager for backing up and securing data in virtual and cloud-native environments. It supports continuous data protection for VMware and Kubernetes and plays a crucial role in ensuring container stability in platforms like OpenShift. Its native application integrations and disaster recovery through incremental backups make it suitable for larger businesses seeking a reliable data management partner.

Dell Technologies

Synology DSM (DiskStation Manager) is a comprehensive software platform designed for Synology NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices. It serves as the operating system for these devices, providing a wide range of features and functionalities.

The primary use case of Synology DSM is to centralize and manage data storage for organizations. It allows businesses to store, access, and share files securely across multiple devices and platforms. With its intuitive user interface, DSM simplifies the management of data, making it easy to create shared folders, set access permissions, and monitor storage usage.

One of the most valuable functionalities of Synology DSM is its robust data protection capabilities. It offers various RAID configurations, including SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID), which ensures data redundancy and safeguards against drive failures. DSM also supports advanced backup and disaster recovery solutions, such as Snapshot Replication and Hyper Backup, enabling organizations to protect their critical data effectively.

Furthermore, Synology DSM provides a wide range of productivity and collaboration tools. It offers applications like Synology Drive, which allows seamless file synchronization across devices, and Synology Office, a web-based suite for document editing and collaboration. DSM also supports various third-party applications, including popular cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive, enabling organizations to integrate their existing workflows seamlessly.

Synology

Sample Customers

National Bank of Greece, USC Australia, PCS Publishing, Dell Digital IT, Rushmore Electric, Melanson Health, Arrow Electronics

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager vs. Synology DSM

February 2026

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