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

Summary: The three file systems you will encounter more often in Windows, Mac OS and removable drives are exFAT, NTFS and FAT32. Let’s sort the things accordingly. Go for NTFS for internal Windows drives – It has journaling, permissions and encryption features. Next, Go for exFAT for drives that will be shared between Windows and Mac OS, or for individual files larger than 4 GB. Moreover, Go for FAT32 for older gadgets like gaming consoles, camera and car stereos, if they require it. Warning: FAT32 file system has a maximum limit of 4 GB for files and Windows has native formatting options for FAT32 drive only up to 32 GB.

What is a File System?

File system is the method used by an operating system to arrange and manage data in the storage device. It determines the format to be used in storing filenames and properties as well as setting maximum constraints for file sizes and drive capacities. exFAT, NTFS, and FAT32 are designed for various tasks. The right file system to choose will be dependent on your intended storage medium.

What Exactly ExFAT File System Is ?

exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table) is a Microsoft-developed file system that was introduced in 2006 for use in flash storage devices like USB and SD cards. It bridges the gap between FAT32 and NTFS, having very few constraints compared to FAT32 but not having too many features like NTFS.

Specifications

• Released: 2006
• Maximum file size: Practically infinite under normal conditions (16 exabytes)
• Maximum volume size: 128 petabytes
• Cluster size: 512 bytes to 32 MB
• Journaling: No, always use “safely eject” when unplugging the drive as failure to do so will result in corruption in case of sudden power failure or unplugging
• Bootable: No, Windows cannot boot from nor install on exFAT drive
• Compatibility: Windows, macOS, and Linux (Kernel 5.4+)
• Best suited for: Large individual files and interplatform drives for Windows and Mac

What is NTFS?

The New Technology File System (NTFS) is Microsoft’s proprietary file system, which is used by default on internal Windows drives. It includes features like encryption, compression, permissions and journaling, which protects data in the event of a system crash in mid-operation.

Specifications

• Released: 1993
• Maximum file size: Up to 256 TB on modern Windows — essentially infinite for practical purposes
• Maximum volume size: 256 TB practically speaking (maximum possible is 8 PB)
• Cluster size: 4 KB to 2 MB
• Journaling: No
• Bootable: Yes — that’s how your Windows operating system disk is formatted
• Compatibility: Windows (native support); macOS reads NTFS disks but doesn’t write to them without using third-party tools; Linux supports reading and writing to NTFS using ntfs-3g or kernel 5.15+ version
• Best used with: Windows partitions and internal HDDs/SSDs

What is FAT32?

FAT32 came out in 1996 as part of Windows 95 OSR2 (although the original FAT file system goes back to 1977, while FAT32 does not). This file system is the oldest among three and also the most universal in terms of compatibility, yet it is limited by its size constraints.

Specifications:

• Released in: 1996
• Maximum file size: 4 GB, which is a strict limit rather than a suggestion
• Maximum volume size: Up to 2 TB if using 512-byte sectors (16 TB with 4K sectors), although Microsoft’s native formatting software can only format FAT32 volumes up to 32 GB in size – you’ll require a third-party utility to format FAT32 partitions bigger than 32 GB
• Cluster size: 512 bytes to 32 KB
• Journaling: No
• Boots from: Yes – used to boot UEFI systems
• Supported on: Windows, macOS, Linux, game consoles and digital cameras. The actual compatibility depends on the device firmware, not just its ability to use USB ports
• Useful for: Old devices which lack exFAT and NTFS support

ExFAT vs NTFS vs FAT32 – Differentiation Table

File Size and Drive Limits

This is often the eye catching. FAT32 limits individual files to 4 GB, and Windows will not allow you to format a FAT32 drive larger than 32 GB without third-party software, even though the filesystem in theory is capable of supporting up to 2 TB. Both exFAT and NTFS remove the 4GB ceiling value. However, for regular practical use, consider the volume limits unlimited instead of worrying about the file size like an exabyte or petabyte.

Reliability and Features

Both FAT32 and exFAT are “naked” filesystems, meaning no built-in security features like file permissions or encryption. This works for the occasional thumb drive you transfer files on, but be aware that an exFAT drive that is suddenly disconnected during write operations can corrupt its data, so be sure to always eject properly before unplugging it. The only of the three filesystems designed with reliability in mind is NTFS, with its journaling and file permissions and encryption capabilities.

Among ExFAT vs NTFS vs FAT32 – What Should You Choose

FAT32 works with almost anything having a USB port – be it a PC, a game console, a stereo in your car or a camera. However, the 4 GB size limitation of FAT32 makes it a terrible format for any use other than transferring files of little importance.

exFAT is the only sensible option for drives to be used between Windows and Mac computers, because it is readable and writable by default in both operating systems.

NTFS should be used for Windows internal drives. While macOS can support NTFS out of the box and only requires additional software to write data on the drive, Linux requires either the ntfs-3g package or a newer kernel to support NTFS.

When you are formatting the drive for the first time, you may want to look into the difference between quick format and full format beforehand – check our guide on Quick Format vs Full Format here.

Conclusion

In this write-up, we have primarily focused on the differences between ExFAT vs NTFS vs FAT32. Each of exFAT, NTFS and FAT32 solves one issue: exFAT is for transferring big files between Windows and Mac, NTFS is used in internal Windows drives where security and reliability matter, and FAT32 is the only option for old machines. You should choose the right file system for your device and the files that you want to transfer, and everything else will follow.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1) Is ExFAT slower than NTFS?

Ans. 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. 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. 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.