Difference between Magnetic Tape and Magnetic Disk

Both Magnetic Tape and Magnetic Disk are the type of non-volatile magnetic memory and used to store the data. On the basis of architecture and features we can distinguish between both Magnetic Tape Memory and Magnetic Disk Memory. Following are the important differences between Magnetic Tape Memory and Magnetic Disk Memory.

Sr. No.	Key	Magnetic Tape Memory	Magnetic Disk Memory
1	Definition	Magnetic tape is type of non-volatile memory uses thin plastic ribbon is used for storing data and as data use to be stored on ribbon so data read/write speed is slower due to which is mainly used for data backups.	On other hand Magnetic Disk is also type of non-volatile memory uses circular disk used for storing data.
2	Constituent	As mentioned above Magnetic tape memory is having plastic ribbon as main constituent.	On other hand Magnetic disk memory has metallic or plastic circular disk coated with magnetic oxide, as main constituent.
3	Cost Concern	Cost concern in case of Magnetic tape memory is less as plastic ribbon is much cheaper as compared to the circular disk as in case of magnetic disk memory.	While on other hand in case of Magnetic disk memory the cost concern is more as compared to that of Magnetic tape memory.
4	Reliability	As plastic ribbon is not much reliable and chances of its breakdown is more hence Magnetic tape memory is less reliable as compared to Magnetic Disk memory.	On other hand due to more breakdown prone circular disk Magnetic disk memory becomes more reliable than Magnetic tape memory.
5	Performance	Data store and retrieval is much slower in case of Magnetic tape memory due to which it is less efficient and has comparatively degrade performance as compared to Magnetic disk memory.	On other hand data storage and retrieval is faster in case of Magnetic disk memory and hence has better performance and more efficient as compared to Magnetic tape memory.
6	Usage	Due to low data transmission rate and less portability Magnetic tape memory mainly used for Data backup purposes.	On other hand Magnetic disk memory can be used as secondary storage.