Creative agencies need storage that keeps projects moving, protects client files, and makes collaboration simple across office and remote teams.
This roundup of nas devices for creative agencies focuses on practical Buffalo LinkStation options that balance ease of use, capacity, and everyday reliability.
Best 5 Nas Devices for Creative Agencies Picks for 2026
Best Entry-Level Starter NAS
BUFFALO LinkStation 210 2TB 1-Bay NAS
- Pre-installed 2TB drive simplifies setup
- Easy 1-bay design for basic shared storage
- Good for small teams and simple backups
Best For: Small creative teams needing a simple, affordable NAS for shared files and backups.
Best Value RAID Backup
BUFFALO LinkStation SoHo 220 8TB NAS
- 8TB with default RAID 1 protection
- Subscription-free remote access and sharing
- Windows/macOS support with 24/7 setup help
Best For: Creative agencies that need affordable shared storage and automatic backup.
Best Budget RAID Backup
BUFFALO LinkStation 220 4TB 2-Bay NAS
- 2-bay RAID 1 for basic data protection
- Subscription-free shared storage and personal cloud
- Windows/macOS backup tools with US-based support
Best For: Small creative teams that need affordable shared storage and automatic backup.
Best Budget 2-Bay NAS
Buffalo LinkStation SoHo 220 4TB
- 2-bay NAS with RAID 1 backup or full-capacity RAID 0
- Drives included for quicker setup and lower upfront hassle
- Windows/macOS support with 24/7 US-based setup help
Best For: Small agencies and solo creatives that need affordable shared storage with basic backup protection.
Best Value RAID NAS
BUFFALO LinkStation 220 8TB 2-Bay NAS
- 2-bay NAS with 8TB total capacity
- Ships with drives and RAID 1 protection
- No-subscription personal cloud and backups
Best For: Small creative teams needing affordable shared storage and backup.
Best Entry-Level Starter NAS – BUFFALO LinkStation 210 2TB 1-Bay NAS
If you need a simple network storage option without a lot of setup, the BUFFALO LinkStation 210 is a practical entry point for nas devices for creative agencies that mainly want shared file access and basic backup. Its included 2TB drive and home-cloud style access make it a straightforward choice for small teams organizing documents, images, and working files.
Best For: Small creative teams that want an easy, affordable NAS for shared storage and backups.
Pros:
- Includes a pre-installed 2TB hard drive for quicker setup
- Simple 1-bay design keeps it easy to manage
- Works well as a basic shared storage or home cloud device
Cons:
- Single-bay design limits redundancy and expansion flexibility
- 2TB capacity may feel small for media-heavy agency workflows
- Not ideal for advanced collaboration or performance-heavy editing
Overall, this is a sensible low-cost pick for nas devices for creative agencies that prioritize convenience over advanced features. It fits best when your team needs a dependable shared folder and backup target rather than a scalable production storage system.
Best Value RAID Backup – BUFFALO LinkStation SoHo 220 8TB NAS
BUFFALO LinkStation SoHo 220 2-Bay Personal Cloud Office NAS 8TB (2x4TB) with Hard Drives Included
Check Price On AmazonIf you need a straightforward storage box for smaller teams, this BUFFALO LinkStation SoHo 220 is a practical entry in the world of nas devices for creative agencies. It gives you shared network storage, RAID protection, and subscription-free remote access without pushing you into a complex IT setup.
Best For: Creative agencies that want affordable shared storage and automatic backup for project files, media, and office documents.
Pros:
- Includes 8TB total capacity with RAID 1 enabled by default for safer file protection.
- Closed-system design and SSL file transfers help reduce security risks.
- Works with Windows and macOS 15 and earlier, with 24/7 US-based support for setup.
- No monthly cloud fees for remote access to files and media.
Cons:
- Performance is modest compared with faster 2.5GbE NAS models.
- macOS 26 users need a newer Buffalo SoHo 720 series instead.
- RAID 1 cuts usable capacity to 4TB unless you switch to RAID 0.
Overall, this is a sensible budget-conscious pick for nas devices for creative agencies that prioritize simple backups and shared access over high-speed editing workflows. If your team mainly needs a secure place to store and protect files, it covers the basics well.
Best Budget RAID Backup – BUFFALO LinkStation 220 4TB 2-Bay NAS
If you want a low-cost starting point for nas devices for creative agencies, the BUFFALO LinkStation 220 gives you centralized storage, basic RAID protection, and simple network sharing without subscription fees. It’s a practical fit for small teams that mainly need shared file access, backup, and a straightforward home-cloud style setup.
Best For: Small creative teams that need affordable shared storage and automatic backup more than advanced collaboration features.
Pros:
- 2-bay design with RAID 1 support for safer backups
- Subscription-free personal cloud and shared network storage
- Includes Windows/macOS backup tools and 24/7 US-based support
- Closed-system design with SSL encryption for secure transfers
Cons:
- Slower than Buffalo’s higher-end LS 700 series
- macOS support is limited to older versions for the included utilities
- Only 2TB is usable in the default RAID 1 setup
For agencies that mainly need a simple, secure shared drive for project files and backups, this NAS is a solid value pick. It’s not built for heavy-duty workflows, but for budget-conscious nas devices for creative agencies, the LinkStation 220 covers the essentials well.
Best Budget 2-Bay NAS – Buffalo LinkStation SoHo 220 4TB
BUFFALO LinkStation SoHo 220 2-Bay Personal Cloud Office NAS 4TB (2x2TB) with Hard Drives Included
Check Price On AmazonIf you want a simple, affordable storage box for nas devices for creative agencies, the BUFFALO LinkStation SoHo 220 is built around easy shared access, automatic backup, and subscription-free personal cloud storage. It’s a practical fit for small teams that need centralized file storage without stepping up to a pricier business NAS.
Best For: Small agencies and solo creatives who need straightforward shared storage, basic RAID protection, and remote file access on a tight budget.
Pros:
- 2-bay design supports RAID 1 for automatic backup or RAID 0 for full 4TB use
- Closed system and SSL encryption add a security-focused layer for everyday file sharing
- Works with Windows and macOS, with 24/7 US-based support for setup help
- Includes drives, so it’s ready to deploy with less upfront effort
Cons:
- Performance is modest compared with newer 2.5GbE NAS models
- macOS support is limited to Sequoia and earlier
- 2TB usable space in RAID 1 may feel tight for media-heavy teams
For teams comparing nas devices for creative agencies, this Buffalo model makes sense when value, simplicity, and basic data safety matter more than top-end speed. If your workflow centers on document sharing, backups, and light media storage, it covers the essentials well.
Best Value RAID NAS – BUFFALO LinkStation 220 8TB 2-Bay NAS
For teams comparing nas devices for creative agencies, the BUFFALO LinkStation 220 is a straightforward, budget-friendly option for shared storage, automatic backups, and simple file access over the network. It’s geared more toward practical collaboration and data protection than advanced media workflows, but the included drives and RAID support make it easy to get started.
Best For: Small creative teams that want an affordable, no-subscription NAS for shared files and backup.
Pros:
- 2-bay design with 8TB total capacity and RAID 1 protection out of the box
- Includes hard drives, making setup faster and more convenient
- Subscription-free personal cloud and shared network storage access
- Windows and macOS compatibility with included backup tools
Cons:
- Slower than newer LS 700 models for heavier workloads
- macOS support is limited to earlier versions, not macOS 26
- Best suited to basic file sharing rather than demanding production use
Overall, the LinkStation 220 is a sensible entry-level pick for nas devices for creative agencies that prioritize shared storage, backup redundancy, and low ongoing costs over top-tier performance.
How We Picked These Nas Devices for Creative Agencies
We focused on straightforward, business-friendly NAS units that suit small creative teams without adding unnecessary complexity. Priority factors included drive-bay design, included storage capacity, ease of setup, file-sharing convenience, and whether the system fits common agency workflows like media backup, project handoff, and centralized asset storage.
Quick Comparison
The 1-bay option is the simplest entry point, but the 2-bay models are generally the better fit for agencies because they offer more flexibility for future storage growth and safer redundancy options where supported. Lower-capacity models work well for light design teams or office file sharing, while 8TB versions are better suited to larger libraries, larger media files, and more active collaboration.
Key Buying Factors for Nas Devices for Creative Agencies
Capacity and Growth
Creative work fills storage quickly, especially with photos, video, design source files, and versioned project archives. Choose enough space for current work plus room for future growth, and prefer a system that can scale as your library expands.
Bay Count and Data Protection
Two-bay NAS systems are usually the sweet spot for small agencies because they offer more flexibility than a single-drive setup. If you care about redundancy and easier expansion, a 2-bay model is usually the better long-term choice.
Collaboration Workflow
For Nas Devices for Creative Agencies, the goal is fast access to shared folders, simple permissions, and dependable backup. Look for a device that supports easy team access so designers, editors, and account teams can move files without relying on email attachments or ad hoc cloud links.
Setup and Management
Agencies often want storage that “just works” with minimal IT overhead. A user-friendly interface, simple onboarding, and clear backup tools matter more than advanced features most small teams won’t use every day.
Who Should Buy Which Nas Devices for Creative Agencies?
Choose the 2TB or 4TB model if your agency mainly handles documents, light graphic work, and smaller shared assets. Step up to 8TB if you store large image libraries, raw video, or multiple active campaigns at once. The 1-bay model makes sense for solo creatives or very small teams that want basic centralized storage on a tighter budget.
If your agency expects to grow, the best long-term value usually comes from a 2-bay NAS with enough headroom to avoid an early upgrade. That keeps storage costs predictable while giving your team a more dependable shared workspace.