The differences between the Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway Max and the Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway Max NS are largely minimal, as both models are essentially the same device with some minor variations in packaging and included accessories.

### Key Differences:

- Storage: The main difference is that the Cloud Gateway Max NS does not include a pre-installed NVMe SSD, whereas the Cloud Gateway Max may come with or require the purchase of an NVMe SSD separately. The NS version requires a third-party NVMe SSD installation and may need an additional M.2 SSD Tray accessory.
- Packaging and Accessories: The NS version might not include all the accessories that come with the standard Cloud Gateway Max, such as the NVMe SSD tray or storage.
- Price: The price difference is primarily due to the inclusion or exclusion of the NVMe SSD and any associated accessories. The NS version is generally priced lower because it does not include these components.

### Common Features:

- Both models have the same hardware specifications, including a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor at 1.5 GHz, 3 GB DDR4 RAM, and the same networking interface with four 2.5 GbE RJ45 LAN ports and one 2.5 GbE RJ45 WAN port.
- They both support multi-WAN load balancing, redundant WAN, and advanced security features like application-aware firewall rules and signature-based IPS/IDS threat detection.

In summary, the primary distinction lies in the inclusion of storage and accessories, which affects the pricing.