Difference between exFAT and NTFS

The file system performs a set of rules and controls the storage of data. A file system determines how data is stored and retrieved. The different types of file systems commonly used are FAT32, NTFS, and exFAT. Choosing the correct file system has always been confusing. Let’s read the article to be clear and gain more information.

To know the difference compared with NTFS then read the article –  Difference Between FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS File System

1. Extensible File Allocation Table (exFAT) 

exFAT stands for Extensible File Allocation Table. This file system is introduced by Microsoft in 2006 and optimized for SD cards and USB drives. It has been adopted by the SD Association as the default file system for SDXC cards larger than 32 GB. 

Advantages of exFAT :

• It can restore deleted files after unintentional deletion from the exFAT file system.
• Restore formatted exFAT file system on Windows.
• It helps you recover data from a memory card, memory stick, hard drive, USB drive, etc.
• It helps you to store files much larger than the 4 GB allowed by FAT32.
• It has no realistic file size or partition size limits.

Disadvantages of exFAT :

• It is not as compatible as FAT32
• It does not offer journaling functionality and many other advanced features built into the NTFS file system

2. New Technology File System (NTFS)

NTFS stands for New Technology File System. First introduced in 1993, it is used in the latest versions of operating systems such as Windows NT and 2000 and later versions of Windows. It is a more robust, high-performance logging file system with multi-user access control, ACLs, and many other things that make it appropriate to work with an Operating System that has protection. It includes characteristics such as multi-streaming, fault tolerance, security, extended file size, data recovery, and file systems, UNICODE names. 

Advantages of NTFS :

• It is highly secured because it prevents unauthorized access to file contents by enforcing Encryption File System (EFS).
• It performs well even in partitions of size over 400 MB.
• It is less susceptible to fragmentation.

Disadvantages of NTFS :

• It is not extensively supported.
• In the NTFS file system, performance degrades under partitions of 400 MB.

Difference between exFAT and NTFS

S.No.	exFAT	NFTS
1.	It was introduced in 2006 with Windows XP and Vista.	It was introduced with Windows NT and widespread usage happened with Windows XP.
2.	It works well with all versions of Windows, MAC OS X. Requires additional software on Linux.	It is compatible with all versions of Windows, Read-Only with MAC, and some versions of Linux
3.	It is suited for Flash drives. Lightweight. It has features but no overhead of the NTFS file system.	NTFS supports file permissions, shadows copies for backup provides encryption, changes journal, helps quickly recover from errors when the computer crashes, disk quota limits, hard linking, etc.
4.	No file size or partition size limits.	Inexhaustible limits for file and partition size.
5.	exFAT is a modern replacement for FAT 32, and more devices and OS support it than NTFS but is not much wider as compared to FAT32.	NTFS is the most modern file system. Windows use an NTFS system drive by default, for most non-removable drives.
6.	It is best for flash drives.	It is best for Windows System and Internal Drive used by Windows.