---
id: comparisons.online-only-vs-moving-to-an-external-drive
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/comparisons/online-only-vs-moving-to-an-external-drive
category: "Comparisons & alternatives"
subcategory: "Cloud storage and online-only files"
question: "Is making files online-only the same as moving them to an external drive?"
alt_questions:
  - "online only vs external drive"
  - "difference between remove download and move to ssd"
  - "online-only files vs relocated folders"
  - "should I make files online only or move them"
  - "cloud placeholder vs external drive mac"
short_answer: "Online-only keeps the file in your cloud account and re-downloads it when opened, so it needs internet. Moving puts it on your own external drive with a link left behind, so it needs the drive. Storage Studio can do both."
tags: ["online only", "icloud", "external drive"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/comparisons/external-ssd-vs-a-bigger-icloud-plan", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/comparisons/external-drive-or-cloud-for-rarely-used-files"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Is making files online-only the same as moving them to an external drive?

Both free space on your Mac, but the file ends up in a different place.

- **Online-only**: the file lives in your cloud account, and your Mac keeps a small placeholder. Opening it downloads it again, so you need an internet connection, and it only applies to files already in a synced cloud folder like iCloud Drive.
- **Moved to an external drive**: the file lives on a drive you own, and a link stays in the original place. It opens instantly with no internet, but only while the drive is connected. It works for any folder or app, not just cloud folders.

Storage Studio does both: it can make iCloud Drive files online-only (nothing is deleted — they stay in the cloud) and it moves local folders and apps to your fast drive. Pick per folder based on whether you'd rather depend on the internet or on the drive. See [Freeing up space](https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/).