In today's digital workplace, effective communication is the backbone of successful collaboration. While cloud-based messaging platforms dominate the market, organizations seeking greater control over their data and privacy are increasingly turning to self-hosted solutions. Synology Chat emerges as a compelling alternative that combines the convenience of modern messaging with the security and control of private infrastructure.
What is Synology Chat?
Synology Chat is a comprehensive messaging and collaboration platform designed to run on Synology Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. Unlike traditional cloud-based messaging services, Synology Chat operates entirely within your organization's infrastructure, giving you complete control over your communications and data.
Important Note:
You must own a Synology NAS to run this app, and be running the latest Synology Chat 2.0.0 to get the complete set of features. This self-hosted approach ensures that all conversations, files, and collaborative activities remain within your organization's network perimeter.
Key Features and Capabilities
Multi-Platform Accessibility
Chat from the browser, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android platforms, ensuring your team can stay connected regardless of their preferred device or operating system. This cross-platform compatibility is essential for modern distributed teams that rely on various devices throughout their workday.
Advanced Communication Tools
Synology Chat provides a rich set of communication features that rival enterprise-grade messaging platforms:
.Public and Private Channels:
Create new channels to gather all users and ensure consistent information distribution
.Direct Messaging:
One-on-one conversations for private discussions
.Message Organization:
Organize your day-to-day communication with message pinning, bookmarks, hashtags
.File Sharing:
Seamless integration with your Synology NAS for document sharing
.Message Modification Controls:
Administrators can decide whether to allow users to modify sent messages
Security and Privacy Features
One of Synology Chat's most compelling advantages is its robust security
framework
.End-to-End Encryption
Ensure confidentiality with optional end-to-end encryption for conversations or channels. This feature ensures that messages from encrypted channels and conversations will not be available to administrators, providing the highest level of privacy for sensitive communications.
.Data Sovereignty
The software runs on your Synology device, so you're largely independent of other suppliers. The data traffic between the browser or chat client and the network storage is encrypted. This means all communication data remains within your organization's infrastructure.
.Granular Access Controls
Administrators can implement detailed user permissions and access controls to ensure appropriate information sharing across different organizational levels.
Business Benefits and Use Cases
.Enhanced Collaboration
With the added functionality of a fully integrated Synology Chat Client, you can chat directly on the document when working with Synology Office applications. This integration creates a seamless workflow where team members can discuss, edit, and finalize documents without switching between multiple applications.
.Cost-Effective Communication
By hosting your messaging platform on existing Synology infrastructure, organizations can significantly reduce ongoing subscription costs associated with cloud-based communication tools. The one-time investment in hardware and licensing provides long-term value without recurring monthly fees per user.
.Regulatory Compliance
For organizations in regulated industries, self-hosted communication solutions offer better compliance with data protection regulations. All communications remain within your controlled environment, making it easier to implement data retention policies and audit trails.
.Remote Team Support
Are you looking for a fast, light, functional self-hosted, and private chat solution for growing teams?
Synology Chat provides the infrastructure needed to support remote and hybrid work models while maintaining security standards
Integration and Extensibility
.Third-Party Integrations
Synology Chat currently supports third-party meeting software like Jitsi for video conferencing needs, allowing organizations to maintain their self-hosted approach while accessing essential communication features.
.Bot and Automation Support
The platform supports bot integrations and automated workflows, enabling organizations to streamline repetitive tasks and improve productivity through intelligent automation.
.API Access
Developers can leverage Synology Chat's API to create custom integrations with existing business systems, ensuring the platform fits seamlessly into established workflows.
Getting Started with Synology Chat
.System Requirements
To deploy Synology Chat, you'll need: A compatible Synology NAS device Sufficient storage capacity for your communication needs Network infrastructure to support user access Proper security configurations for external access (if required)
.Installation Process
The Chat platform starts with DSM Package Center as any other supported app, making installation straightforward for existing Synology users. The setup wizard guides administrators through initial configuration, user management, and security settings.
.User Management
Users are automatically added into Chat immediately after they're given privileges, streamlining the onboarding process for new team members. Administrators can manage user permissions, create channels, and configure security settings through the intuitive web interface
Comparison with Cloud Alternatives
While cloud-based messaging platforms offer convenience and scalability
, they often come with limitations regarding data control, privacy,
and long-term costs. Synology Chat addresses these concerns by providing
.Complete data ownership and control
.No per-user subscription fees
.Enhanced privacy through self-hosting
.Compliance with strict data protection requirements
.Integration with existing Synology infrastructure investments
Recent Updates and Future Outlook
Synology Chat now supports sorting "Channels", "Conversations", "Starred", and "Bots" on the sidebar by the last update time, demonstrating Synology's commitment to continuously improving the user experience. Regular updates ensure the platform remains current with evolving communication needs and security standards.
Conclusion
Synology Chat represents a compelling solution for organizations seeking to maintain control over their communication infrastructure while providing modern, feature-rich messaging capabilities. Posts, mentions, and channels offer real-time communication for easy collaboration, the powerful data management tools centralize information all in one place, and encryption for private channels protects sensitive data from internal or external threats. For businesses evaluating communication platforms, Synology Chat offers a unique proposition: enterprise-grade functionality without the ongoing costs and privacy concerns associated with cloud-based alternatives. As data sovereignty and privacy regulations become increasingly important, self-hosted solutions like Synology Chat provide a strategic advantage for forward-thinking organizations. The platform's integration with the broader Synology ecosystem, combined with its robust security features and cost-effective deployment model, makes it an attractive option for small to medium-sized businesses and enterprises alike. Whether you're looking to reduce communication costs, improve data privacy, or simply gain better control over your collaboration tools, Synology Chat deserves serious consideration in your technology stack.
