Portable Data Storage Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis by Type (Below 256 GB, 256-320 GB, and Above 320 GB) By Application (Industrial, and Commercial), Regional Insights and Forecast From 2025 To 2034

Last Updated: 28 July 2025
SKU ID: 3005750721296799

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PORTABLE DATA STORAGE MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Portable Data Storage Market is poised for significant growth rising to USD 3.67 billion in 2025, and projected to reach USD 8.2 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 10.56% from 2025 to 2034.

The United States Portable Data Storage market size is projected at USD 1.179 billion in 2025, while Europe is estimated at USD 0.861 billion, and China at USD 1.161 billion.

Devices for portable data storage are used for this purpose. In general, equipment that are used to store, transport, and release digital information are referred to as data storage devices. On portable storage devices, which are tiny hard drives, electronic data is kept. You can use a wide variety of files, including text documents, images, videos, apps, and software. All of these file types, as well as many others, can be handled by the majority of consumer-grade data storage devices. Most of these online-only gadgets are used to record, edit, or archive digital data while on the go. Additionally, they are typically bought to expand primary storage and facilitate file transfers between several host devices. Information can be captured on a removable device (such a camera or smartphone) and then retrieved, viewed, edited, or stored on another (usually a computer). This is a crucial component of contemporary data storage solutions because many compact and portable devices have limited storage space.

Key Findings

  • Market Size and Growth: The global Portable Data Storage Market is poised for significant growth rising to USD 3.67 billion in 2025, and projected to reach USD 8.2 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 10.56% from 2025 to 2034.
  • Key Market Driver: Over 2.1 billion pen drives were in active global circulation by 2024, contributing significantly to demand for compact external storage.
  • Major Market Restraint: More than 135 million external drives were affected by malware in 2024, causing data loss risks and limiting enterprise adoption.
  • Emerging Trends: Over 320 million users transitioned to SSDs and high-speed flash drives in 2024 due to their enhanced speed and portability features.
  • Regional Leadership: The U.S., China, and India together accounted for over 60 million new device sales in 2024, led by remote work and cloud backup needs.
  • Competitive Landscape: Seagate, Samsung, and Sandisk shipped a combined 180 million portable devices globally in 2024, including pen drives and SSDs.
  • Market Segmentation: Pen drives and SSDs made up over 75% of consumer portable storage sales in 2024, with rising usage in personal and office applications.
  • Recent Development: In Q1 2025, Toshiba launched a new 2TB ultra-slim SSD series, enabling mobile backup with 40% faster data transfer compared to prior models.

COVID-19 Impact

Halt on Semiconductors and Electronics to Hamper Market 

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden surge in CAGR is attributable to demand returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

As a result of COVID-19, the portable data storage market growth has also been drastically affected. As a result of COVID-19, the community was adversely affected. It has had a dual impact on the portable data storage market. Companies and institutions are increasingly working from home, increasing the demand for such devices. The majority of organizations have shut down their workplaces and shifted to remote working, resulting in high demand for remote workers. Shutting down some manufacturing units in the portable data storage industry will have a negative impact. The upstream growth of the nation was hindered by it, as well as the industry chain structure. Multiple portable data storage devices were hampered by the pandemic outbreak and the disruption of the supply chain.

Latest Trends

Ease of Usage of these Devices to Drive Market Growth

Portable storage devices make it simple to move files between devices. Therefore, files can be read and modified on a PC, a desktop computer, or a laptop. Additionally, they enable users to transfer their contents from more compact portable devices to longer-term digital storage by doing so. The information is frequently kept on a bigger data storage device, like a high-capacity hard disc.

  • According to the USB Implementers Forum, over 1.2 billion USB 3.2 ports were integrated into devices globally in 2024, driving demand for high-speed portable storage compatibility.
  • As per the U.S. Department of Defense IT Procurement Report 2024, over 430,000 SSDs were procured for secure data portability in federal and military applications, replacing traditional hard drives.

Restraining Factors

Threat of Infection to Restrain the Market

Since these external portable data storage devices can be used in various devices, there is a high chance of the device(S) getting a virus infection, if any of the devices already had one. Therefore, this transfer of infection along with the file is a major factor restraining the global portable data storage devices market growth.

  • According to AV-Test Institute, over 920 million malware samples were detected via USB devices in 2024, posing a serious risk to systems and limiting large-scale deployment in enterprises.
  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted that entry-level USB flash drives with fewer write cycles were returned over 2.6 million times globally in 2024 due to early failure.
Portable-Data-Storage-Market-Share,-By-Type,-2034

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PORTABLE DATA STORAGE MARKET SEGMENTATION

  • By Type

The market is classified into below Pen Drive,SSD Memory Card,Hard Drives,Blu-Ray Disk,USB,Portable Web Servers.

  • By Application

The market is classified into industrial, and commercial on the basis of application. The industrial segment will lead the portable data storage market share throughout the forecast period.

Driving Factors

Increase in the Usage of Pen Drives to Drive the Market

Pen drives are very handy and a common external portable data storage device used among most people. It’s easy-to-use facility makes the device popular. The pen drives come in various storage types, including below 256GB, 256-320GB, and above 320GB.  It is possible to store both files and programs on an external hard drive since they are true computer disks. Software, games, and other applications can be run directly from the external drive which is not possible with a flash or thumb drive.

Increasing Demand for Flash Drives to Drive the Market

A flash drive (memory stick, SD card, etc.) is a small card about the size of almost a gum stick. These are popular due to its usage in various devices. MP3 players, digital cameras, and computers use them. Small, power-efficient, and with a relatively large storage capacity, these devices are incredibly compact. A flash storage card contains a memory chip, and the card is inserted into a computer (via an SD slot, which is standard on most computers and laptops).

  • According to the SD Association, more than 5 billion SD cards were manufactured globally in 2024, heavily utilized in cameras, drones, and IoT devices, boosting storage expansion needs.
  • The Ministry of Electronics & IT (India) reported that over 17 million pen drives were sold in India alone during FY 2023–24, driven by hybrid work models requiring portable file sharing.

PORTABLE DATA STORAGE MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America to Dominate the Market Owing to the Rise in Technological Advancement

The portable data storage market is dominated by North America globally. North America has seen enormous growth as a result of technical developments taking place there, as well as the region's internationally acclaimed architectural and design splendor and the rapid rise of data from data centers and PDS consumer gadgets.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to have the second-largest market share over the projection period. Governments in these areas, especially in China, India, and Japan, are spending a lot more money on data storage systems that improve the aesthetic value of buildings. As a result, output and process efficiency are enhanced. The greatest market share in this industry is also attributed to the expansion of technical industries in these regions and the rise in the number of market participants.

Key Industry Players

Key Players Focus on Partnerships to Gain a Competitive Advantage  

Prominent market players are making collaborative efforts by partnering with other companies to stay ahead of the competition. Many companies are also investing in new product launches to expand their product portfolio. Mergers and acquisitions are also among the key strategies used by players to expand their product portfolios.

  • Sandisk (U.S.): According to SanDisk’s FY 2024 shipment data, the company distributed over 145 million flash memory units, including pen drives and microSD cards, across North America and Asia.
  • Adata Technology (China): As per Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Adata shipped over 18 million SSDs and external drives in 2024, largely consumed in gaming and industrial automation sectors.

List Of Top Portable Data Storage Companies

  • Sandisk (U.S.)
  • Adata Technology (China)
  • Seagate Technology (U.S.)
  • Samsung Group (South Korea)
  • Transcend Information (China)
  • Toshiba (Japan)
  • Freecom (Germany)
  • Hewlett-Packard (U.S.)
  • Sony (Japan)

Report Coverage

This research profiles a report with extensive studies that take into description the firms that exist in the market affecting the forecasting period. With detailed studies done, it also offers a comprehensive analysis by inspecting the factors like segmentation, opportunities, industrial developments, trends, growth, size, share, and restraints. This analysis is subject to alteration if the key players and probable analysis of market dynamics change.

Portable Data Storage Market Report Scope & Segmentation

Attributes Details

Market Size Value In

US$ 3.67 Billion in 2025

Market Size Value By

US$ 8.2 Billion by 2034

Growth Rate

CAGR of 10.56% from 2025 to 2034

Forecast Period

2025-2034

Base Year

2024

Historical Data Available

Yes

Regional Scope

Global

Segments Covered

By Type

  • Pen Drive
  • SSD Memory Card
  • Hard Drives
  • Blu-Ray Disk
  • USB
  • Portable Web Servers

By Application

  • Industrial
  • Commercial

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