---
id: apps.do-i-need-a-fast-ssd-to-move-apps
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/apps/do-i-need-a-fast-ssd-to-move-apps
category: "Apps"
subcategory: "Choosing which apps to move"
question: "What kind of external drive is best for running moved apps?"
alt_questions:
  - "Best external SSD for apps"
  - "Is a USB stick fast enough for moved apps?"
  - "Hard drive vs SSD for moved apps"
short_answer: "A fast external SSD on USB-C or Thunderbolt, formatted as APFS and usually kept connected. Slower drives work but apps will feel sluggish."
tags: ["external drive", "ssd"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/apps/does-a-moved-app-run-slower", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/apps/what-does-files-that-differ-only-by-case-mean"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What kind of external drive is best for running moved apps?

A fast external SSD on a USB-C or Thunderbolt port, formatted as APFS, gives the best experience — moved apps launch and run much as they would from the built-in drive. A slower spinning hard drive or USB stick works, but apps will feel sluggish.

Also choose a drive you keep connected most of the time, since moved apps need it. See [external drives](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/).