What should I know before upgrading from Cloud Station to Synology Drive (based on Synology Drive 2.0 and above)?
Last updated:May 15, 2025
What should I know before upgrading from Cloud Station to Synology Drive (based on Synology Drive 2.0 and above)?
Details
Compatibility with Synology Drive suite
Refer to the software specifications for Synology Drive Server for system requirements.
Compatibility of Synology Drive with Cloud Station suite
For Synology Drive Server 3.0 and below:
- Cloud Station applications, including Cloud Station Drive, Cloud Station Backup, Cloud Station ShareSync, and DS cloud are compatible with Synology Drive Server. These applications will continue to work after Cloud Station Server has been upgraded to Synology Drive Server.
- Synology Drive Client desktop application and Synology Drive ShareSync are compatible with Cloud Station Server. They will continue to function when connected to Cloud Station Server.
For Synology Drive Server 3.0 and above:
- Synology Drive Server 3.0 and above do not support Cloud Station Suite applications. If you are using any Cloud Station Suite applications, you must switch to their Synology Drive Suite counterparts to ensure compatibility.
- Connected Synology Drive client applications, including Synology Drive Client and Synology Drive ShareSync, must be updated to version 3.0 and above to ensure compatibility.
Application replacements
- After installing Synology Drive Server, Cloud Station Server and Cloud Station ShareSync will be replaced, and the data and settings will be safely migrated. If you wish to re-install them, Synology Drive must be uninstalled first.
- After installing the desktop application, Synology Drive Client, Cloud Station Drive and Cloud Station Backup will be replaced and the data and settings will be safely migrated. If you wish to re-install them, Synology Drive Client must be uninstalled first.
Server package upgrade impacts
- Upgrading the package may take some time. The length of time that the upgrade will take depends on the size of your database, the number of files, and the NAS model.
- The "CloudStation" folder under each user's home folder will be renamed as "Drive".
- Since Synology Drive uses a different sharing mechanism, the sharing links created in Synology Drive cannot be managed via Shared Links Manager in File Station.
- The connected applications will display prompts encouraging you to upgrade to the Synology Drive Client desktop application. Cloud Station desktop applications will work fine with Synology Drive in terms of existing features.
- Synology Drive is equipped with web portal services and uses 5000 and 5001 HTTPS for access ports, and 6690 HTTPS for file synchronization by default.
Client application upgrade impacts
- After the Cloud Station desktop application has been upgraded to the Synology Drive Client desktop application, it will automatically re-scan for file changes. If no modifications have been made, the synced files will not be re-synced.
- If you have previously configured proxy settings in Cloud Station Backup but have not set them up in Synology Drive Client, the configurations will be carried over to Synology Drive Client. If you have already configured proxy settings for Synology Drive Client, they will be unaffected by Cloud Station Backup's configurations.
Differences between Synology Drive and Cloud Station
The tables below display the differences between the two suites by package, desktop application, and mobile application.
Package
|
Synology Drive Server
|
Cloud Station Server & Cloud Station ShareSync
|
---|---|---|
Synchronization server for multiple platforms
|
v
|
v
|
Up to 32 historical version
|
v
|
v
|
Periodical version rotation
|
v
|
x
|
ACL permission integration
|
v
|
v
|
Point-in-time file restoration
|
v
|
v
|
LDAP/AD integration
|
v
|
v
|
Web portal file management
|
v
|
x
|
File sharing links
|
v
|
v
|
Restrict downloading sharing links
|
v
|
x
|
Online editing
|
v (Integrated with Synology Office)
|
x
|
Manage files shared by others
|
v
|
x
|
Operation logs
|
v
|
v
|
Log export
|
v
|
x
|
Application backup via Hyper Backup
|
v
|
x
|
One or two-way shared folder synchronization between multiple Synology NAS servers
|
v (Synology Drive ShareSync as the NAS client)
|
v
|
Desktop application
|
Synology Drive Client
|
Cloud Station Drive & Cloud Station Backup
|
---|---|---|
Real-time syncing
|
v
|
v
|
Sync files shared by others
|
v
|
x
|
Two-way sync
|
v
|
v
|
On-demand Sync for Windows and macOS computers (Learn more)
|
v
|
x
|
Download-only sync
|
v
|
v
|
Upload-only sync
|
v
|
x
|
Sharing link creation
|
v
|
v
|
Sync Synology Office files
|
v
|
x
|
Back up files from Windows, Mac, Ubuntu computers in real time
|
v
|
v
|
Flexible scheduled and manual backup modes
|
v
|
x
|
Client-side backed up file restoration
|
v
|
v
|
Mobile application
|
Synology Drive
|
DS cloud
|
---|---|---|
Online browsing Synology Drive files
|
v
|
x (only synced local files)
|
Offline access files and auto-update
|
v
|
v
|
Browsing and editing Synology Office files1
|
v
|
x
|
Manage files shared by others
|
v
|
x
|
Syncing from device to server2
|
v (Available starting from Synology Drive mobile app 3.0)
|
v
|
Integration with iOS Files
|
v
|
x
|
Integration as Microsoft Office repository
|
v
|
x
|
Back up photos from device to server2
|
v (Available starting from Synology Drive mobile app 3.0)
|
x
|
Notes:
- Starting from Synology Drive mobile application version 3.2, you can edit Synology Office documents and spreadsheets directly on your mobile devices.
- This function requires Synology Drive Server 3.0.2 or above.
- The Synology Drive mobile application (iOS / Android) allows collaboration on mobile devices along with the ability to browse your Synology Drive files.