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 8.4, while Synology is ranked #22 with an average rating of 10.0. Dell Technologies holds a 2.6% mindshare in BRS, compared to Synology’s 1.4% mindshare. Additionally, 93% 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 18 Dell PowerProtect Data Manager reviews

6,740 Views
5,662 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

Synology DSM

Read 10 Synology DSM reviews

2,683 Views
2,656 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: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager vs. Synology DSM

December 2025

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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

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Deduplication Software (6th)

Synology DSM

Ranking in Backup and Recovery

22nd

Average Rating

9.0

Reviews Sentiment

8.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Backup and Recovery category, the mindshare of Dell PowerProtect Data Manager is 2.6%, down from 4.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Synology DSM is 1.4%, down from 1.7% 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	2.6%
Synology DSM	1.4%
Other	96.0%

Backup and Recovery

Featured Reviews

Amit

Architect at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Streamlined VM protection has improved recovery speed and strengthened data security

The specific features and functionalities I find most beneficial in Dell PowerProtect Data Manager include good integration with other Dell products, such as Dell Data Domain, which makes it a very good use case for environments that already have Dell Data Domain or any other Dell products. My impression of Dell PowerProtect Data Manager's dashboard interface is that it is good, easy to use, and quite interactive, so there are no major issues there. The deduplication feature of Dell PowerProtect Data Manager has allowed me to reduce or save some 15% of storage compared to what I was using earlier.

Read full review

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 most valuable feature of the solution is its integrated approach."

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

"The most valuable features of the solution are flexibility and data protection."

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

"The features I appreciate about Dell PowerProtect Data Manager include the snapshot killer, which is a very good feature, and the ability to access the hypervisor directly to take backups from VMs."

"The solution adequately handles data storage."

"There are no issues at this point in time with Dell PowerProtect Data Manager."

"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."

More Dell PowerProtect Data Manager pros

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

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

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

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

"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 most valuable feature of the solution is that it serves as a backup for our company's virtual machine."

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

More Synology DSM pros

Cons

"We have not had enough time in the product yet to be able to evaluate what would be better or worse with this solution."

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

"As a new product, there are some things that still need to improve a bit as it matures."

"The interface is too complex."

"The marketing strategy is lagging behind competitors such as CommVault. Dell needs to improve its market presence and communication with customers and solution providers."

"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."

"The tool's scalability has certain shortcomings, making it an area where improvements are required."

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

More Dell PowerProtect Data Manager cons

"Synology DSM's user interface is not quite intuitive."

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

"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."

"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."

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

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

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

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

More Synology DSM cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"The solution is more affordable than other vendors."

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

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

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

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

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

"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."

"The price of the solution is very good."

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

"Synology DSM is a cheap solution."

"It is quite an affordable solution."

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

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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	8

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

What do you like most about Synology DSM?

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

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Synology DSM?

The solution’s pricing is neither cheap nor expensive.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Synology DSM?

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

See all answers

Comparisons

Dell Avamar vs Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

Compared 26% of the time

Dell NetWorker vs Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

Compared 13% of the time

Veeam Data Platform vs Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

Compared 10% of the time

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain vs Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

Compared 8% of the time

Commvault Cloud vs Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

Compared 4% of the time

More Dell PowerProtect Data Manager Competitors

Veeam Data Platform vs Synology DSM

Compared 7% of the time

UrBackup vs Synology DSM

Compared 6% of the time

NetApp SnapCenter vs Synology DSM

Compared 6% of the time

GoodSync For Business vs Synology DSM

Compared 6% of the time

NAKIVO Backup & Replication vs Synology DSM

Compared 4% of the time

More Synology DSM Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

January 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

December 2025

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