Side-by-side specifications of the Synology DS214play and DS420j, from official datasheets. Differences are highlighted.
| DS214play | DS420j | |
| CPU | Intel Atom dual-core 1.6 GHz | Realtek RTD1296 1.4 GHz |
| Cores / threads | 2 cores / 2 threads | 4 cores / 4 threads |
| RAM (base) | 1 GB DDR3 | 1 GB DDR4 non-ECC |
| RAM (max) | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Drive bays | 2 | 4 |
| Expandable to | 0 | 0 |
| M.2 slots | 0 | 0 |
| Network | 1x Gigabit Ethernet | 1 x 1GbE RJ-45 |
| 10GbE | no | no |
| Max raw capacity | 8 TB | 64 TB |
| Hot-swap | yes | no |
| Form factor | Desktop | Desktop |
| Released | 2013 | 2020 |
| Power consumption | — | 21.71 W / 7.88 W |
| DSM at launch | — | — |