Both flash drives and external SSDs are portable storage devices that can be used to store and transfer files between computers. However, there are some key differences between the two that users should be aware of.
Storage Capacity
One of the biggest differences between flash drives and external SSDs is storage capacity. Flash drives generally have lower storage capacities, with most models offering anywhere from 8GB to 256GB. External SSDs, on the other hand, tend to have much higher capacities, ranging from 250GB up to 2TB or more. This makes external SSDs better suited for storing large numbers of photos, videos, music, and other files.
Speed
External SSDs are significantly faster than flash drives due to the technologies they use. Most flash drives use the older USB 2.0 standard and have maximum data transfer speeds of around 30-60MB/s. External SSDs typically use USB 3.0, USB 3.1, or Thunderbolt connections and can reach transfer speeds of over 500MB/s.
This means files can be copied to and from an external SSD far more quickly. So if you need to transfer large files or sets of files, an external SSD will save you time over a flash drive.
Durability
Due to their internal components, external SSD drives are generally more durable and reliable than flash drives. External SSDs have no moving parts and use flash memory, making them more resistant to damage if dropped or shaken. Flash drives rely on smaller mechanical parts that are more fragile.
SSDs are also better suited to harsh or extreme environments thanks to their shock-resistant nature. Heavy vibration, dust, moisture can damage flash drives more easily. So an external SSD is the safer choice if being used in tough conditions.
Price
One area where flash drives have an advantage is price. For equivalent capacities, flash drives almost always cost significantly less than external SSDs. A 128GB flash drive may cost between $15-30 while a 500GB external SSD often costs $80 or more.
So if you just need inexpensive portable storage in lower capacities for documents, photos, or other files, a flash drive is likely the more budget-friendly option. But serious photographers, videographers, or people who work with very large files may find the extra speed and capacity of an external SSD worthwhile.
Use Cases
Due to their differences, flash drives and external SSDs each work better for certain use cases:
- Flash drives are ideal for general file transfers, backups, and storage in smaller capacities. They offer adequate speeds for things like documents, presentations, ebooks, small photo collections etc. And their low price makes them very affordable.
- External SSDs excel at storing and working with large files and file collections. Their huge capacities and ultra fast transfer speeds make them the choice for high resolution photos, 4K/8K video, gaming files, and graphics work where storage space and speed are needed.
Security
External SSD drives tend to offer more security features than basic flash drives. Some external SSDs come with built-in encryption to protect files in case the drive is lost or stolen. And some have password protection to prevent unauthorized access.
Flash drives lack native encryption in most cases. So if security for sensitive files is a priority, an external SSD with encryption will provide much better protection.
Compatibility
External SSDs may require reformatting to be used with certain operating systems or devices, whereas flash drives can generally plug-and-play across different OSes like Windows, Mac, Linux, Android etc. Some external SSDs are preformatted for specific operating systems so check before purchasing if you intend to use with a certain computer/device.
Portability
Standard flash drives are smaller and lighter than external SSDs, making them more portable and convenient for everyday carry. External SSDs aren’t really pocket-sized devices. But some flash drives are so tiny and light they can attach to a keyring, so you can take them anywhere easily.
Longevity
SSDs do not have moving disk parts, so they tend to last longer than flash drives in terms of lifespan. The cells in flash drive memory can degrade over time with heavy usage, wearing out after hundreds of thousands of read/write cycles. SSDs use higher quality flash memory that lasts for more cycles before failure, often over 1 million.
Noise
External SSD drives are silent as they contain no moving parts. Flash drives can sometimes make faint clicking or buzzing noises during data transfer as their internal mechanisms work. So an external SSD ensures completely silent operation.
Failure Rate
Without internal moving components, external SSDs statistically fail or crash less often than flash drives. One study found flash drives can have annual failure rates around 3-4%, while external SSD failure rates were less than 2%. So external SSDs demonstrate better reliability overall.
Fragmentation
As flash drives fill up over time, data written to them can become fragmented across different parts of the drive. This can degrade drive performance. External SSDs are not prone to fragmentation issues to the same extent, and maintain speed as they fill up.
Power Usage
External SSD drives consume more power overall than flash drives, which can become an issue if using with laptops or tablets that have limited battery capacity. Flash drives use less power, so have less impact on mobile device battery runtime versus external SSDs.
Heat Output
The internal components of external SSDs can heat up more than flash drives during operation. Appropriate ventilation and airflow is needed to prevent SSDs from overheating in some cases. Flash drives produce very little excess heat in comparison.
Appearance
Flash drives typically have compact rectangular cases similar in shape to USB sticks. External SSDs use larger rectangular enclosures closer in size and looks to portable hard drives rather than flash drives.
Connectivity
Most flash drives use a standard USB-A connector to plug into host devices. External SSDs may use USB-A, USB-C, Thunderbolt, or other connectors to connect with computers, phones, tablets, etc. So check connector compatibility if purchasing an external SSD.
Internal Components
Flash drives contain a small printed circuit board with flash memory chips along with a USB connector. External SSDs house one or more circuit boards with a SSD controller and flash memory chips, along with an internal interface and external data connector.
Shock Resistance
Due to their lack of moving parts, external SSD drives are better able withstand shook, vibration, drops, and other physical impacts without damage. Flash drives are not as shock-proof due their more delicate internal components.
File System Support
Most flash drives use the Fat32 file system by default, which has limitations like a maximum 4GB file size. External SSDs typically format with more modern systems like exFAT, NTFS, HFS+ etc. that don’t have these limits.
RAID Support
External SSDs can be configured in RAID arrays for increased speed, capacity, or redundancy. Flash drives do not support RAID configurations.
Trim Support
Trim is a feature of SSDs that helps maintain write performance over time. External SSDs support Trim, but flash drives do not have or require this capability.
Encryption Support
As mentioned above, some external SSD drives have built-in hardware encryption support for greater security. This type of encryption is not available on standard flash drives.
Backup Software
External SSDs often include backup software for convenience. Flash drives typically do not come with any backup utilities.
Cloud Syncing
Some external SSDs allow syncing with popular cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive. Flash drives do not directly support cloud syncing capabilities.
Management Software
Dedicated software tools for managing and monitoring health, firmware updates, etc. may be available for certain external SSD models. Flash drives typically do not have any type of management software.
Warranties
Most external SSD drives come with multi-year limited warranties from the manufacturer – often 3 years or more. Flash drive warranties are generally much shorter at just 1-2 years.
Tech Support
External SSD makers provide technical support resources for troubleshooting drive issues and getting help with setup/usage. There is typically little to no tech support offered for basic flash drives.
Flash Drive vs External SSD Comparison Table
| Factor | Flash Drive | External SSD |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | Typically 8GB – 256GB | Often 250GB – 2TB+ |
| Speed | Up to 10MB/s for USB 2.0 Up to 150MB/s for USB 3.0 |
Over 400MB/s with USB 3.0/3.1 Over 2500MB/s with Thunderbolt |
| Durability | More fragile due to moving parts | Shock resistant with no moving parts |
| Price | Very affordable, often under $30 | More expensive, usually over $100 |
| Ideal Use Cases | File transfers, backups, small storage needs | Large files like video, graphics, photos |
| Encryption | Typically no built-in encryption | Some models include encryption |
| Compatibility | Works with most devices | May require reformatting in some cases |
| Portability | Very small and lightweight | Larger and bulkier than flash drives |
| Longevity | Memory cells degrade over hundreds of thousands of writes | SSD cells last over 1 million writes |
| Noise | Can produce faint noises during operation | Silent operation |
| Failure Rate | 3-4% annual failure rate typical | Under 2% annual failure rate |
| Power Usage | Very low power draw | Higher power needs than flash drives |
| Heat Output | Very little excess heat | Can run hotter, needs airflow |
| File System Support | Usually FAT32 only | exFAT, NTFS, HFS+, etc. |
| Warranty Length | 1-2 years typical | Often 3 years or longer |
When to Use Flash Drives vs External SSDs
With their differences in mind, here are some general guidelines on when to use flash drives versus external SSDs:
- Use a flash drive when you just need a small, affordable portable drive for basic file storage and transfer. They work well for documents, notes, ebooks, light photo use, presentation files, etc.
- Use an external SSD for large high-resolution photo collections, 4K/8K video files, gaming libraries, graphics work, backing up entire computer drives, and any case where very large files or fast speed is needed.
- Consider an external SSD if you frequently work with files in harsh environments where durability is important.
- Choose an external SSD over a flash drive if drive security features like encryption are a priority.
- Use a flash drive if you need to easily transfer files between many different devices and operating systems.
- Pick an external SSD when drive longevity and reliability is critical.
Conclusion
In summary, flash drives are affordable, convenient portable storage for modest capacity needs. External SSDs offer vastly larger capacity, blazing speeds, and robust durability, but at a higher price. For large files and intensive storage use cases, external SSDs are worth the cost for their advantages. But pocket-sized flash drives still serve a purpose for light everyday file transfer duties.
By understanding the differences between flash drives vs external SSDs, you can choose the right portable storage device for your specific needs and budget.