USB flash drives are going extinct. Use these better alternatives instead
When was the last time you used a USB flash drive? I had to think for a moment myself — and to be honest, I can’t remember exactly. For years, the USB stick was the device of choice when it came to fast and uncomplicated data transfer. Why do these practical storage aids hardly play a role today, and are they possibly even on the verge of extinction? A look at current developments sheds some light on this. Why are USB flash drives no longer popular?As compact and handy as they are, USB flash drives have lost much of their relevance in recent years. One of the main reasons is their comparatively low storage capacity. Many commercially available models end at 256GB or 512GB, which means that large amounts of data such as 4K videos, complete photo archives, or system backups can only be transported to a limited extent.Although there are also some high-end sticks with up to 2TB of memory, such as the Seagate Ultra Compact SSD, many people prefer to use an SSD for such capacities. The reason: SSDs generally use more powerful flash chips, which ensure higher data transfer rates and a longer service life.Another problem: The classic USB-A connection is hardly suitable for modern devices. Most laptops and tablets rely on USB-C, as do smartphones. mentioned in this articleSeagate Ultra Compact SSDRead our reviewBest Prices Today:$79.99 at B & H PhotoAlthough there are now USB sticks with Type C connectors, such as the aforementioned Seagate Ultra Compact. There are also so-called dual sticks with USB-A and USB-C connections, but in practice this is often a compromise. Many of these models rely on simple controllers and cheaper flash memory, which results in significantly slower transfer rates — especially when writing large files.Modern alternatives to USB flash drivesExternal hard drives: Lots of storage for little moneyExternal hard drives, such as External drives, such as SSDs, are robust and powerful — with significantly more storage space than the average USB stick.External drives — whether classic HDDs or fast SSDs — are among the most popular alternatives to USB sticks. They offer significantly more storage (up to 4TB and more), and SSDs in particular impress with their high transfer speed via USB-C or Thunderbolt. While HDDs offer a lot of space at a favorable price, SSDs are the better choice for large amounts of data, as they are faster, more robust, and hardly more expensive in higher storage classes than comparable USB sticks.Advantages:Significantly more storage space than USB sticksShock-resistant and durable, higher-quality flash chipsIdeal for backups or large amounts of dataDisadvantages:Larger and heavier than a USB stickSometimes more expensive, especially for SSD modelsSandisk Extreme Portable SSD 1TB (portable NVMe SSD)External drive with SSD technology 2.5 inch, USB-C, up to 2,000 MB/s read and write, NVMe SSD, IP65, 5-year warrantybuy it on amazon for $119.99Mattias IngheCrucial X10 Pro 1TB Portable SSDExternal drive with SSD technology, USB-C, up to 2,100MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write, IP55buy it on amazon for $104Jon L. JacobiSSK 2TB portable, external NVME SSDExternal drive with SSD technology, NVMe SSD, 2.7 inch, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write speedbuy it on amazon for $134AmazonFurther reading: The best external drives we’ve testedSD cards: Small, fast – but not universalSD memory cards can be used SD memory cards can be used to expand mobile phone memory, for example.SD cards (or microSDs with an adapter) are also a compact alternative to USB sticks. They are standard, especially for cameras, drones, and mobile devices, as well as some laptops. In combination with a USB-C card reader, SD cards can even be used as mini storage drives for notebooks.Further reading: SD cards, demystified: How to decipher the confusing jumble of specsThe advantage over classic USB sticks: SD cards can be used more flexibly in many areas, are often cheaper per gigabyte and — depending on the class and model — also achieve high transfer speeds. They are also easy to replace or permanently integrate into devices, such as cameras or laptops with card readers. So if you work with memory cards anyway, you can easily use them as a mobile drive (and save yourself the extra stick).Advantages:Extremely small and lightGood speeds with modern UHS-II cardsCan be used directly in many devicesDisadvantages:Susceptible to loss or damageA card reader is usually required for use on a PCAmazon Basics microSDXC 128GBSD memory card with 128GB and SD adapter, 100MB/s maximum read speedbuy it on amazon for $11.99Sandisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I memory card 512GBSandisk UHS-I memory card, 512 GB, V30, transfer speed 200 MB/s, U3, 4K UHD videos, Sandisk QuickFlow technologybuy it on amazon for $72SanDiskCloud services: Storage space always with youThe cloud is probably the most modern alternative to USB sticks. Services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, or OneDrive offer storage space on the internet that you can access from any device — without a physical drive.Advantages:Access from anywhere with an internet connectionIdeal for collaboration and shared filesAutomatic synchronization possibleDisadvantages:Dependent on a stable internet connectionLimited free storage, followed by a paid subscriptionData protection and encryption are important issuesConclusion: USB drive only for special cases?The humble USB flash drive has not yet completely lost its place — it is quite common and ideal for simple data transfers, firmware updates, or as a boot stick. But as an everyday solution, it is long outdated. The combination of limited memory, decreasing compatibility, and growing requirements makes it a discontinued model. Modern alternatives such as SSDs, SD cards, or cloud services offer better performance, more flexibility and, in many cases, a better price-performance ratio.Further reading: 6 genuinely helpful uses for the USB port on your router
One major issue is storage capacity. Most readily available USB drives top out at 256GB or 512GB. This simply isn't enough for today's data-heavy world, where 4K videos, extensive photo libraries, and complete system backups are commonplace. While higher-capacity USB drives exist, topping out at 2TB, many users are turning to other solutions that offer better performance for the price.
Another nail in the coffin for the traditional USB drive is the shift towards USB-C connectivity. While USB-A ports were once ubiquitous, modern laptops, tablets, and smartphones increasingly rely on the smaller, faster, and more versatile USB-C standard. Although USB drives with USB-C connectors, or even dual USB-A/USB-C connectors, are available, these often involve compromises. Many of these "dual" drives utilize older controllers and cheaper flash memory, resulting in significantly slower transfer speeds, especially when writing large files.
So, what are the alternatives?
**External Hard Drives and SSDs:** External drives, particularly SSDs, are stepping up as powerful replacements. They offer significantly larger storage capacities, reaching 4TB or more. SSDs, in particular, provide blazing-fast transfer speeds via USB-C or Thunderbolt connections. While traditional HDDs offer a cost-effective solution for sheer storage volume, SSDs are generally the better choice for speed, durability, and overall performance, making them ideal for backing up large amounts of data.
**SD Cards:** SD cards (or microSD cards with adapters) offer another compact alternative, especially for users already working with cameras, drones, or mobile devices. In combination with a USB-C card reader, SD cards can function as mini storage drives for laptops. They offer flexibility, are often cheaper per gigabyte, and can achieve high transfer speeds, depending on the card's class and model.
**Cloud Services:** Perhaps the most modern alternative is cloud storage. Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, and OneDrive provide accessible storage space from any device with an internet connection, eliminating the need for physical media.