Flash Drive What is the Difference Between Flash Memory and EEPROM?

Jul 1, 2021

Flash memory is a type of electronically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), but it can also be a standalone memory storage device such as USB drive.

It is a non-volatile memory chip used for storage and for transferring data between a PC and other digital devices. It is often found in USB flash drives, MP3 players, digital cameras and solid-state drives.

Toshiba developed flash memory in the early 1980s and introduced it to the market in 1984.

Flash memory incorporates the use of floating-gate transistors to store data.

EEPROM is a type of data memory device that uses an electronic device to erase or write digital data. It has per byte erase-and-write capabilities, which makes it slow. Flash memory is a distinct type of EEPROM, which is programmed and erased in large blocks. Nonetheless, the trend seems to be of using AND flash for devices that only support large-block erasure. Flash memory has many features. It is a lot cheaper than EEPROM and does not require batteries for solid-state storage such as static RAM.

To sum it up,

Flash is just one type of EEPROM.
Flash uses NAND-type memory, while EEPROM uses NOR type.
Flash is block-wise erasable, while EEPROM is byte-wise erasable.
Flash is constantly rewritten, while other EEPROMs are seldom rewritten.
Flash is used when large amounts are needed, while EEPROM is used when only small amounts are needed.

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