FAT vs NTFS vs EXT4
Table of Contents
Filesystems: FAT vs. NTFS vs. ext4
FAT
FAT (File Allocation Table) is an older file system that is widely compatible with various devices and legacy systems.
NTFS
NTFS (New Technology File System) is a modern file system used primarily with Windows, offering advanced features and better performance.
ext4
ext4 (Fourth Extended Filesystem) is a widely used file system in Linux environments, known for its robustness and performance.
Key Differences
| Feature | FAT | NTFS | ext4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| File Size and Volume Limits | Supports files up to 4GB and volumes up to 2TB | Handles files up to 16TB and volumes up to 256TB | Supports files up to 16TB and volumes up to 1EB |
| File Permissions and Security | No built-in file permissions or encryption | Supports ACLs, encryption (EFS), and advanced security features | Supports Unix-style permissions and ACLs |
| Journaling | No journaling; file system integrity must be checked manually | Uses journaling for reliability and recovery | Supports journaling for improved reliability and quick recovery |
| Compression and Quotas | No support for file compression or disk quotas | Supports file/folder compression and disk quotas | No native support for file compression, but supports disk quotas |
| Compatibility | Highly compatible with various devices and legacy systems | Primarily used with Windows; limited compatibility with other operating systems | Primarily used with Linux; limited compatibility with other operating systems |
| Performance | Faster for simple tasks but less efficient with large files | Better performance with large files and volumes | Generally offers good performance, especially with large files and volumes |