Best NAS for Immich and Docker
Guide to choosing a NAS suitable for Immich, Docker and self-hosted applications: RAM, CPU, storage, backup, network and maintenance.
À retenir
Immich transforme ton NAS en petit serveur applicatif
Pour Immich, il ne suffit pas de regarder le nombre de baies. Il faut vérifier la RAM, le CPU, Docker, la base de données, les volumes persistants, les sauvegardes et l’accès distant. Un NAS très bon pour stocker des fichiers peut être moins confortable pour Immich.
Critères clés
Ce qu’il faut regarder avant d’acheter
Immich dépend d’un ensemble de ressources. Le meilleur choix n’est pas toujours le NAS le plus cher, mais le plus équilibré.
Sauvegarde
Ce qu’il faut sauvegarder avec Immich
- Les fichiers photos et vidéos.
- La base de données Immich.
- Les volumes Docker persistants.
- Les fichiers de configuration.
- La procédure de restauration, pas seulement les fichiers.
Une sauvegarde Immich non testée reste fragile. Il faut essayer de restaurer au moins quelques fichiers ou un petit environnement de test.
Erreurs fréquentes
Les pièges à éviter
- Choisir un NAS uniquement parce qu’il a beaucoup de baies.
- Installer Immich sans sauvegarder la base de données.
- Exposer Immich directement sur Internet sans protection.
- Sous-estimer les vidéos 4K et les imports massifs.
- Oublier que Docker demande un minimum de maintenance.
Photos famille sans technique
Si tu veux surtout une app photo simple et rassurante, Synology Photos peut être plus adapté qu’Immich. Tu gagnes en simplicité, mais tu perds une partie de la flexibilité d’Immich.
Alternative à Google Photos
Vise un NAS avec 8 Go de RAM minimum, Docker propre, CPU récent et vraie sauvegarde. UGREEN, QNAP ou ASUSTOR peuvent être très intéressants selon le modèle.
Immich + services maison
Si tu ajoutes Paperless, Vaultwarden, Jellyfin ou d’autres services, vise plus de marge : 16 Go de RAM, stockage confortable et accès distant bien sécurisé.
NAS Easy ne considère pas Immich comme une simple galerie photo. C’est un vrai service auto-hébergé : il faut penser maintenance, sauvegarde, mises à jour et accès distant.
#1
Immich and Docker change criteria
A NAS for Immich and Docker is not a simple file NAS. It must manage containers, a database, persistent volumes, indexing, thumbnails, updates and sometimes multiple applications at the same time.
#2
Criterion 1: RAM
For Immich, 8 GB of RAM is a good starting point. With only 2 GB, a NAS can remain excellent for native photos or storage, but it will be less comfortable for Immich, Docker and several services. The possibility of upgrading RAM is a real advantage.
#3
CPU: important, but not alone
The CPU helps for import, miniatures, indexing and certain treatments. A recent processor makes the experience more fluid. But a good CPU doesn't compensate for too weak RAM, missing backup or misunderstood Docker configuration.
#4
Clean Docker: volumes and updates
A good NAS for Docker should manage volumes, persistent files, ports, environment variables and updates. Immich uses several services: you need to understand where photos, database and configuration are.
#5
Save Immich: the critical point
Saving Immich does not mean copying only the photo folder. You also need to save the database, Docker volumes and configuration. A restoration must be tested before trusting the system.
#6
2-bay NAS: possible, but limited
A 2-bay NAS can be enough for reasonable family Immich use, especially with comfortable RAM. But it gives less room for videos, evolution and local backups. This is a good budget option, not necessarily the most sustainable choice.
#7
4 berry NAS: more comfortable
A 4-bay NAS is more comfortable for Immich, videos, Docker and long term storage. It helps to improve capacity and avoid replacing the NAS too quickly. For a real family photo/video library, it is often the most serene choice.
#8
Network: 2.5GbE and 10GbE
The 2.5GbE or 10GbE network is not essential for viewing photos from a phone, but it becomes useful for large imports, videos, computer backups and heavy transfers. QNAP, ASUSTOR and UGREEN are often more generous than Synology on this point.
#9
SSD, NVMe and cache
A SSD or NVMe may be useful for some uses, but this is not the first purchase to make. Before thinking about the cache, you must ensure RAM, main storage, backup and stability. The SSD becomes interesting for specific apps, databases or volumes depending on the NAS.
#10
UGREEN DXP4800 Plus: power profile
The DXP4800 Plus is interesting for Immich and Docker thanks to its hardware power, basic RAM and network. It is better suited for users who accept a newer software ecosystem and a little more technical management.
#11
QNAP TS-464: Balanced Prosumer Profile
The QNAP TS-464 is a good prosumer profile: 4 bays, 2.5GbE network, advanced functions and good container support. It is more technical than Synology, but very interesting for a user who wants margin.
#12
ASUSTOR Lockerstor: network and M.2
ASUSTOR may be relevant for profiles that want 2.5GbE, M.2 and an alternative to QNAP/Synology. It is less popular, but interesting for intermediate use or prosumer.
#13
Synology: simple, but to choose with caution for Immich
Synology remains excellent for beginners and native applications like Synology Photos. For Immich, you have to monitor the RAM, the exact model and how to install Docker. This is not impossible, but it is not always the best power/price ratio for Immich.
#14
Easy NAS Recommendation
For Immich and Docker, choose a NAS as a small server: 8 GB RAM or more, modern CPU, clean Docker, reliable NAS drives, tested backup, prudent remote access. The DXP4800 Plus, the TS-464 and some ASUSTOR are the most consistent profiles in the Easy NAS database.