FAT32 vs ExFAT vs NTFS: Which One Should You Use?

Summary: If you are looking for standard format, then this blog on ExFAT vs NTFS vs FAT32 might help you out. In this we will compare these file systems which will help you decide which one is best for you according to your system compatibility. So, choosing the right file system is very essential for data compatibility, transfer speed, and storage management.

What is a File System?

A file system is how an operating system operates and handles data on storage devices. It is the structured way of representing data and in which layout the data will be stored like file names, permissions, and other attributes which are attached with the file you save. Different file systems like ExFAT, NTFS, FAT32 are designed for different devices. So, choosing the right one becomes crucial as it affects your compatibility, speed, and file size limits.

What Exactly ExFAT File System Is ?

Formatted with the intention for use on flash storage media such as USB sticks and SD cards, ExFat is a simple file system which was created by Microsoft in 2006. ExFAT was developed to work as an intermediary file system between NTFS and FAT32. It supports larger file sizes than others while maintaining compatibility across various platforms such as Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

Specifications:

• Theoretical maximum File size: 16 exabytes
• Practical maximum file size: 128 petabytes (due to hardware and OS constraints)
• Works with: Windows, macOS, and some Linux distributions.
• Use Case: It is ideal for writing and storing large files for multiple storage devices.

What is NTFS?

NTFS is Microsoft’s main file system and used as a default file system for Windows. It supports file encryption, compression, and supports large file size. But have limited compatibility with other operating systems.

Specifications:

• File size limits: 16 exabytes
• Supports: Primarily Windows, limited support on macOS and Linux.
• Use Case: Suited for Windows system partitions and internal drives.

What is FAT32?

The first instance of FAT32 was observed in 1996 which is also known as an older file system. It is easily accessible to a multitude of devices and OS. It comes with major limitations that it is having limited file and partition size which makes it unsuitable for large-scale data storage. So, it’s commonly used for USB drives.

Specifications:

• Storage Limitations: 4 GB file size and 8 TB partition size limits.
• Supports: Windows, macOS, Linux, game consoles, camera, anything which has a USB port.
• Use Case: It is best for storing small files, simple storage use like USB drives with a wide range of devices.

ExFAT vs NTFS vs FAT32 – Differentiation Table

Aspect	ExFAT	NTFS	FAT32
Full Form	Extended File Allocation Table	New Technology File System	File Allocation Table 32-bit
Developed By Microsoft	2006	1993	1977
Maximum File Size	16 Exabytes (practical limit: 128PB)	16 Terabytes (Windows 10 limit)	4 GB
Maximum Partition Size	128 Petabytes	256 Terabytes (practical)	2 Terabytes
File Compression	No	Yes	No
Encryption Support	No	Yes (with EFS)	No
Journaling	No	Yes (to prevent corruption)	No
Speed	Faster on flash drives	Generally slower than ExFAT	Faster on smaller drives
Supported by	Windows, macOS, Linux (requires support)	limited macOS, Windows/Linux (read-only)	Gaming consoles, macOS, Linux, Windows
Ideal Usage	Flash drives, external drives, large files	Internal hard drives, SSDs, modern systems	Smaller drives, older systems, consoles
Performance on Large Volumes	Good for large drives	Best performance for large volumes	Poor
File Security	Basic security	Advanced security features (ACL, encryption)	Basic security
Cluster Size (Allocation Unit)	32 KB to 128 MB	4 KB to 64 KB	4 KB to 32 KB
Fault Tolerance	Lower fault tolerance	High (with journaling and self-healing)	Low
Trim Support (for SSDs)	No	Yes	No
Bootable	Yes (on limited devices like Windows)	Absolutely Yes	Yes

Among ExFAT vs NTFS vs FAT32 – What Should You Choose

• You can use ExFAT when you are working on external drives & other cross platform for compatibility, especially if you need to avoid file size limits.
• NTFS is used for Windows system drives or internal HDDs/SSDs to enhance your performance & security.
• FAT32 can be used when you need compatibility with older devices or you just want a simple setup. But keep in mind that the file size limit is 4 GB.

Conclusion

In this write-up, we have primarily focused on the differences between ExFAT vs NTFS vs FAT32. If you talk about ExFAT it is great for external drives. For NTFS it works best for Windows and lastly FAT32 it is best for smaller drives and older systems. So, choose the file system according to your system needs and file size requirements .

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1) Is ExFAT slower than NTFS?

Ans 1. Yes, ExFAT is slower than NTFS. ExFAT is quicker for small files, with a write speed of 15MB/s for large files.

Q2) Is ExFAT better than FAT32 for SSD?

Ans 2. ExFAT is Faster than FAT32 but it’s not compatible with some older devices and works on certain OS because it’s proprietary.

Q3). Which file system is best for cross-compatibility across different devices and operating systems?
Ans 3. If you are looking for a compatible storage device that can work on different OSs, such as Mac, Windows, and Linux, or connect with different devices like game consoles and cameras, external hard drives, etc., ExFAT is the best choice. On the other hand, NTFS has limited compatibility on macOS and Linux without special drivers and FAT32 has a drawback of 4 Gb maximum file size and 8 TB maximum partition size. This is why, it is better to opt for ExFAT.

Read More: Quick Format vs Full Format