Should I Get a NAS or External Hard Drive for Backup?

Storage is a crucial aspect of digital life. Users need ample space to store photos, documents, and other important files. Both NAS and external hard drives serve as excellent storage devices and are considered the best ways to expand a computer's limited onboard storage. But which one is better for you? Read on to help you make an informed choice.

NAS or External Hard Drive? But before we dive into the comparison, let's get clear on what they are. Do you know what NAS storage is?

What is NAS?

As an excellent storage device, NAS allows users to store any type of file. Furthermore, it enables users to easily manage and share all their files, photos, videos, or other documents through the NAS. This brings great convenience to our digital lives and makes it possible to perform hard drive backups or file transfers anytime, as long as an internet connection is available.

What is an external hard drive?

An external hard drive is a device that provides extra space to store data. There are many varieties of these, and they're a great way to expand a computer's storage when it's running slow or full. Once you've connected the external hard drive to your computer via a compatible cable into a USB port, the user will instantly have additional storage space at their disposal. From there, users can transfer data to the external hard drive, or back up and restore data.

NAS and external hard drives are both popular choices for storage and backup. But which one is better? The following comparison of their features may help you decide.

NAS vs External Hard Drive Backup: Which Is Better?

As mentioned above, both NAS and external hard drives work for backup and storage. But which one is more convenient and smarter? Let's find out in the section below.

Cost

• The price of an external hard drive varies depending on its capacity. Generally, a 4 TB external hard drive costs around $90.
• Due to the latest technology, advanced features, and larger setup involved, a NAS is more expensive than traditional data storage methods. Typically, a 4 TB NAS would cost around $370.

Capacity

- Users cannot expand the capacity of an external hard drive unless they purchase a new one. - A NAS device offers bays that allow users to connect additional hard drives to the network, enabling the NAS to provide significantly greater storage capacity than an external hard drive.

Speed

• USB 1 had a maximum speed of just 12 MB/sec, while USB 4 can reach up to 40 Gbps.
• Data transfer rates for consumer-grade NAS devices typically range from 3 MB/s to 20 MB/s.

Accessibility

• A user needs to connect an external drive to a compatible port on their computer or device to access its contents.
• Most NAS devices also offer cloud services, which allow users to access their files remotely without physical contact once the account is set up.

Portability

• External hard drives are usually small and compact, making them easy to carry around. They don't require an internet connection or a power backup.
• A NAS device typically comes in a box and requires more space. It must be plugged into a power source and router to work.

Flexibility

• An external hard drive can store files, media, and other documents much like any other storage device.
• A NAS is more versatile. It comes with a full operating system, RAM, and supports first-party and third-party apps.

Data backup and recovery

• External hard drives do not offer an automatic backup feature, so users need to find another drive to save their data when backing up an external hard drive.
• Some NAS devices automatically back up data stored on the NAS, making it easier to recover data.

Convenience

External hard drives require users to move the drive between computers to access their files, whereas a NAS can be accessed by connecting to the network.

Generally, NAS is slower because it has more components to run. After this comparison, do you now know when to use a NAS and when to use an external hard drive?

When should you use NAS or an external hard drive for backup?

While external hard drives can store files, media, and other documents like a network-attached storage (NAS) device, a NAS does more – which is why some call it a hard drive with a brain. But do you know when to use a NAS versus an external hard drive? This episode will help you decide.

Personal Use

A network-attached storage device connects to your network, so all computers connected to the router can access data on the device simultaneously. An external hard drive, by contrast, relies on the interface of the hard drive or your computer's USB port.

• Users with only one computer should opt for an external drive. • Those with more than one computer should choose a network-attached storage device.

Corporate Use

For businesses that need to store large amounts of critical data, a NAS device is a good option, though usually expensive. External hard drives are cheaper but can be more difficult to manage.

- Users can utilize NAS and external hard drives within a limited budget. - If users have a sufficient budget, a NAS can efficiently power their team's operations.

Now that we know what they are used for, let's consider this: is NAS good for backups? The answer lies in the next paragraph.

Is NAS suitable for backup?

Yes, Network-Attached Storage (NAS) is a storage system that allows computers to access stored data over a Local Area Network (LAN). NAS is commonly used by businesses to store sensitive data, and it's crucial to set up backups for NAS devices to ensure data recovery in case of loss. They should not be solely considered as backup solutions. Due to their design as storage devices, some companies mistakenly use them as backup solutions. Apart from backups, they can be utilized for managing storage for smart TVs, creating, testing, and developing personal websites, and more.

With all these functions, can users treat NAS as an external hard drive? Read on to find out.

Can a NAS drive be used as an external hard drive?

Not exactly. A NAS device requires an internet connection. If your computer connects to your home network via WiFi, you can connect the NAS directly to your computer's Ethernet port. Also, external hard drives are generally more portable, while a NAS is typically a box-shaped device. If you need to travel and can't carry the NAS with you, it might not be as convenient. Hence, both NAS and external hard drives serve well as storage devices, each with its own advantages. They are distinct and aren't easily interchangeable in the short term.

NAS or External Hard Drive Backup: Conclusion

In summary, NAS and external hard drives each have their advantages and limitations. NAS devices are more intelligent and feature-rich but occupy more space compared to external hard drives. External hard drives, on the other hand, offer portability and are less susceptible to attacks. This article has compared them in several aspects to help you make an informed decision.