USB Reference
USB Alternatives
USB overlaps with wired, wireless, display, storage, networking, and legacy connection technologies.
Related: USB Adapters · USB Connectors · USB Standards
Comparison
| Technology | Primary use | Connection type | USB overlap | Current relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbolt | High-performance peripherals, docks, displays, and storage | Wired | Strong overlap with high-end USB-C peripheral use | Current |
| DisplayPort | Displays and audiovisual output | Wired | USB-C display output, docks, and adapters | Current |
| HDMI | Displays, televisions, and audiovisual equipment | Wired | USB-C display output, docks, and adapters | Current |
| Bluetooth | Wireless peripherals and audio | Wireless | Replaces USB cables for many input and audio devices | Current |
| Wi-Fi | Networking and networked devices | Wireless | Can replace direct USB data links for network-capable devices | Current |
| Ethernet | Networking | Wired | Network adapters and networked devices overlap with USB uses | Current |
| Lightning | Apple mobile devices and accessories | Wired | Charging, data, and accessory connection | Existing-device compatibility |
| SD Cards | Removable storage | Removable media | Alternative to USB flash storage; USB card readers bridge both | Current |
| PCIe | High-performance system expansion | Internal interconnect | Internal alternative to many external USB expansion devices | Current |
| FireWire | Audio, video, storage, and peripherals | Wired | Legacy general peripheral bus | Legacy |
| eSATA | External direct-attached storage | Wired | External-storage alternative | Legacy or niche |
| DVI | Computer displays | Wired | USB display adapters and docks can provide DVI output | Legacy |
| VGA | Analog computer displays | Wired | USB display adapters and docks can provide VGA output | Legacy |
| PS/2 | Keyboards and mice | Wired | Legacy alternative for computer input devices | Legacy or specialized |
| Serial Ports | Consoles, control, and industrial communication | Wired | USB-to-serial adapters bridge modern computers to serial equipment | Legacy or specialized |
| Parallel Ports | Printers and legacy peripherals | Wired | USB replaced most general consumer parallel-port uses | Legacy |
