Both external hard drives and flash drives have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to storing and backing up files. When deciding which one to use, you need to consider factors like storage capacity, speed, portability and price. This comprehensive guide examines the key differences between the two to help you choose the best option for your needs.
What is an External Hard Drive?
An external hard drive is a portable storage device that can be attached to a computer through a USB connection. Unlike the internal hard drive in your computer that stores the operating system, programs and other files, an external drive is used for storing additional files and creating backups.
External hard drives come in a range of storage capacities, with common sizes being 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and 5TB. The higher the capacity, the more files you can store. Data transfer speeds also vary across different models. Many recent external drives use a USB 3.0 connection which allows for data transfers up to 5 Gbps.
As they rely on a mechanical hard drive inside, external hard drives are more susceptible to damage from drops or shocks compared to flash drives. However they also offer larger capacities for lower costs per GB. Typical uses for an external hard drive include:
- Storing excess files and media that don’t fit on your main computer hard drive
- Backing up important files for an extra level of protection
- Transferring large amounts of data between computers
What is a Flash Drive?
A flash drive, also known as a USB drive or thumb drive, is a small solid-state storage device that connects to a computer’s USB port. Instead of a mechanical hard drive, flash drives use NAND flash memory chips to store data.
Standard flash drive capacities range from 2GB to 1TB, with sizes up to 512GB being most common currently. Data transfer speeds vary from around 10-20MB/s for budget models up to 200-500MB/s for high performance drives. USB 2.0 flash drives have maximum data transfer speeds of about 60MB/s.
The main advantages of flash drives are their compact size, light weight and lack of moving parts, which allow for fast access times and make them more durable to physical shock. Typical usage cases include:
- Storing and transferring smaller files such as documents, photos and other media
- Keeping portable software tools on hand
- Quickly sharing files between computers
Storage Capacity
When it comes to storage capacity, external hard drives are the clear winner. Here’s a comparison of common storage sizes:
| External Hard Drive | Flash Drive |
|---|---|
| 500GB to 5TB+ | 2GB to 1TB |
The largest consumer external hard drives today offer up to 10TB of space. High capacity models between 4TB to 10TB are ideal for storing entire libraries of documents, photos, videos and other large files.
Most standard flash drives max out at 1TB currently. While this may be sufficient for many users, those who need to store very large amounts of data will want an external drive. Creative professionals working with high resolution media files will especially benefit from the larger capacities.
Transfer Speeds
Flash drives have the edge when it comes to transfer speeds. A USB 3.0 flash drive can reach peak transfer rates around 300-500MB/s while high end external SSDs have been benchmarked at up to 5Gbps.
By comparison, external hard drives over USB 3.0 offer speeds up to 5Gbps but average around 100-200MB/s for large file transfers. The actual speed depends on factors like disk rpm, caching, the cable used and computer capabilities.
For smaller files under 1GB in size, the difference is negligible. But flash drives will have a clear speed advantage when transferring larger media files like 4K video. If your usage involves a lot of large file transfers, a flash drive is the better choice.
Portability
Due to their small size and light weight, flash drives are far more portable and convenient to transport than external drives. Here is a size and weight comparison:
| External Hard Drive | Flash Drive |
|---|---|
| 4.5in x 3in x 0.5in 150g |
2.1in x 0.9in x 0.5in 10-30g |
Typical dimensions of a flash drive allow it to slip easily into a pocket. And with capacities up to 1TB now available in small form factors, you can carry a significant amount of data around with you.
Standard external hard drives need to be transported in a bag or case and require an external power supply when in use. While portable external SSDs are now available that don’t need a separate power connection, they are still larger and bulkier than flash drives.
Durability
Due to their lack of moving parts, flash drives are much more durable and resistant to shock, vibrations and dust. External hard drives are susceptible to damage from drops and impacts due to the mechanical disks inside.
Flash drives can withstand more pressure, heat, water exposure and dust without issue. The solid state memory chips used in these devices have no moving parts and are able to handle harsher environments.
While external hard drives have become more ruggedized and shock-resistant in recent years, they still can’t match the durability of flash drives. If you’re carrying external storage around in bags and pockets, a flash drive will provide more reliability.
Cost
For smaller capacities under 64GB, flash drives are more economical. But at higher capacities, external hard drives offer a better value per gigabyte.
Here are some average prices for drives in the 256GB-1TB range:
| 256GB | 512GB | 1TB |
|---|---|---|
| Flash: $25 | Flash: $60 | Flash: $120 |
| HDD: $45 | HDD: $65 | HDD: $85 |
For professional and enterprise use, external SSDs are available that offer flash drive-like speeds and ruggedness. However these cost significantly more per gigabyte than traditional hard drive models.
Compatibility
Both USB flash drives and external hard drives are widely compatible across different computers, operating systems, and devices. This makes them convenient for transferring files between different systems.
Flash drives and external drives can both be used seamlessly between Windows PCs, Macs, Linux computers and other systems with USB ports. Most TVs, game consoles and car entertainment systems are also compatible.
One exception is older USB 1.0/1.1 ports, which may not supply enough power to run larger high capacity external hard drives. But any modern device with a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port will support both drive types.
Security
External hard drives offer more security options compared to flash drives. Many external drives include software for password protection and hardware encryption to keep data secure.
Flash drives generally don’t come with security features, though some do have read-only functionality. To keep sensitive data protected on a flash drive, you need to take extra steps like encrypting files manually before copying them over.
If keeping private files is a priority, an external drive designed for privacy is the safest choice. Models like the Apricorn Aegis Padlock encrypt your data at the hardware level to prevent unauthorized access.
Backup Software
Most external hard drives include backup software for conveniently backing up files and folders. Many also provide utilities for automatically backing up your system on a schedule.
Flash drives generally don’t come with any backup software. To automate backups to a flash drive you’ll need to use the capabilities built into your operating system or get third party backup software.
For easy, out-of-the-box system backups, external hard drives are a better solution. But you can get third party software like Macrium Reflect to implement automated backup routines to a flash drive.
Network Connectivity
Both external hard drives and flash drives are primarily designed for local storage and transfer only. But some external hard drive models include wireless connectivity features for accessing files remotely.
For example, the Seagate Wireless Plus allows you to connect over WiFi to stream media and access files through mobile apps. And network-attached storage (NAS) devices can hook up directly to your home router via Ethernet.
Flash drives currently lack any built-in network connectivity options. So if you need to access your files wirelessly, an external NAS or WiFi-enabled drive is the way to go.
Conclusion
So which is better for you, an external hard drive or flash drive? Here’s a quick summary of the main differences and use cases:
| External Hard Drive | Flash Drive | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Higher from 4TB to 10TB | Lower from 2GB to 1TB |
| Speed | Slower avg speeds of 100-200MB/s | Faster peak speeds up to 500MB/s |
| Portability | Larger and heavier, not pocket-sized | Small, light and pocket-friendly |
| Durability | More fragile with moving parts | Durable solid state with no moving parts |
| Price | Lower cost per gigabyte for higher capacities | More affordable for smaller capacities under 64GB |
| Security | More options for encryption and protection | Minimal security features |
| Backups | Bundle backup software for easy file/system backups | No built-in tools, requires third party software |
| Networking | Some models offer WiFi and NAS connectivity | Local-only, no wireless file access |
For maximum capacity, backups, security and wireless access – external hard drives are the way to go. But flash drives are smaller, faster, more durable and cheaper for lower storage needs.
In the end it depends on your specific needs. For storing and archiving huge personal media libraries, external drives are best. But for quickly transferring smaller files between different devices, flash drives can’t be beat.