Thunderbolt 3 vs. USB-C: 5 Key Differences and Full Comparison

If you’ve ever charged a modern electronic device or connected a peripheral to a computer, you’ve probably handled USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 connectors and heard about the Thunderbolt 3 vs USB-C debate. 

USB and Thunderbolt standards used to be completely different, but since the release of Thunderbolt 3 in 2015, they have become interchangeable. Both USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 have oval-shaped connectors of the same size, and their ports look almost identical, so it isn’t that easy to distinguish them.

Therefore, if you are wondering about the differences between these two technologies, you’ve arrived at the right place. In this article, we’ll compare the most relevant features of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 as well as their cost so you can make the best decision when buying cables for your devices. 

Thunderbolt 3 vs. USB-C: Side-by-Side Comparison

Thunderbolt 3 vs. USB-C: What are they?

Our Pick

Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-C 2.0 Fast Charging Cable

$10.43

• Reversible design
• Up to 480 Mbps data transfer speed
• Certified by USB-IF to be compliant with USB 2.0
• Ideal for syncing data and music

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12/02/2023 09:26 am GMT

Before we dive into their main differences, you should probably know a few things first. 

The USB-C (Universal Series Bus Type-C) is a 24-pin connector able to transmit power, data, and, in some cases, video signals. Unlike previous versions of USB standards, USB-C is reversible and symmetrical. In other words, it doesn’t have a head or tail, nor a specific orientation, so there’s no way of connecting it wrongly. Also, the connector only measures 8.4mm, so it’s small enough to work with tiny devices. 

USB-C is a technology developed by the USB Implementers Forum, a non-profit corporation founded by many companies, among which you can find Apple, HP, Intel, and Microsoft. Since so many firms are involved in this corporation, you can find USB-C ports in a wide variety of devices: smartphones, laptops, speakers, keyboards, gaming consoles (like the Nintendo Switch and Playstation 5), and more. 

Now, Thunderbolt 3 is also a 24-pin, 8.4mm wide, reversible connector. It can perform the same functions as USB-C but with some improvements. Although they are quite similar, USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 constitute different interfaces, meaning they’re constructed differently. Thunderbolt 3 was developed by Apple and Intel, not USB-IF. Consequently, you’ll mostly find Thunderbolt 3 ports on Mac computers and peripheral devices, and they’re not as extended as USB-C ports.

Thunderbolt 3 vs. USB-C: What’s the Difference?

Let’s go over their vital differences so you know which one will serve you best based on your needs.

Data transfer speed

The most relevant difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 is their data transfer speed. A USB-C cable transfers data at different rates depending on the port it’s plugged into. It delivers up to 5 Gbps when connected to a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, up to 10 Gbps with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, and up to 20 Gbps with a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port. 

Different devices come with different ports based on what they’re geared towards: you’ll find the best USB ports in high-end devices, usually made for gaming and streaming.

On the other hand, a Thunderbolt 3 cable may deliver up to 40 Gbps, which is twice the maximum provided by the USB-C. It is so fast that it can actually transfer the entire Library of Congress in under 9 minutes!

However, this only works if you connect the cable to a Thunderbolt 3 port. If you plug it into a USB port, it will provide the same data transfer speed as a USB-C cable with the margins described previously. 

You should consider this gap, especially if you’re a gamer or like using virtual reality systems. Since Thunderbolt 3 has a much higher data transfer speed, it gets a faster response from peripherals such as keyboards, mice, or VR headsets. Therefore, using this cable may decrease lag and give you a competitive edge!

Charging Speed

USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 don’t differ that much here. By default, USB-C cables deliver 2.5 watts of power. Anyhow, the charging speed depends on the type of port the connector is plugged into. Some devices use a Power Delivery Protocol, which allows the USB-C cable to provide up to 100 watts.

Thunderbolt 3 delivers a standard of 15 watts, but just like USB-C, it can deliver up to 100 watts through the Power Delivery Protocol. Therefore, although Thunderbolt 3 has a default charging speed six times higher than USB-C, both cables can achieve the same wattage in some devices.

It’s important to understand that the Power Delivery protocol is not part of the USB-C or the Thunderbolt 3 specifications. For the cables to deliver the 100 watts, you need a device that supports the protocol and a power supply to deliver that wattage. You’ll mostly find this feature on tablets and laptops.

Compatibility

Although USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 interfaces are compatible with each other, there are some details you should consider. Firstly, you can always connect a USB-C cable to a Thunderbolt 3 port, but not vice-versa. Additionally, not every device with a USB-C port supports a Thunderbolt 3 cable. 

To determine whether or not you have a Thunderbolt 3 device, look for a little lightning symbol next to the port. USB-C ports don’t have that symbol next to them. If you are sure you don’t have a Thunderbolt 3 port, the only way to know if your device supports Thunderbolt 3 cables is by looking at the manual. For additional information, you can also check the Thunderbolt-certified products list.

Also, remember that the high data transfer speed of the Thunderbolt 3 cable only works when plugged into a Thunderbolt 3 port. Even though you may connect it to a USB-C port, the maximum speed it’ll reach will be the same as if you were using a USB-C cable. 

Display support

When it comes to display support, there’s a big difference between these two connectors. While USB-C can only support one 4K 60Hz display or two 1080p displays, Thunderbolt 3 supports up to two 4K 60Hz displays or even one 5K 60Hz display.  

In addition, it’s important to consider that USB-C isn’t a video transmission standard itself. If you want to output video via USB-C, you need a cable and port that includes something called Alt Mode. This is a functional extension that enables USB-C cables to carry non-USB signals, but you probably shouldn’t let all this technical mess confuse you. If you want to output video through a USB-C, you can find USB-C-to-HDMI and USB-C-to-DisplayPort cables at prices similar to those of a normal USB-C cable.

Thunderbolt technology is based on the DisplayPort 1.2 specification, so it doesn’t have the same problem as USB-C. Basically, all Thunderbolt 3 connectors can transmit video. This is one of Thunderbolt’s biggest advantages in terms of usability and practicality. It will be far easier to carry a single cable than a basic USB-C with two or more dongles. 

Cost

Unlike USB, Thunderbolt is a technology owned by Intel and Apple, not by a non-profit corporation. Also, Thunderbolt 3 has some additional components that USB-C doesn’t have. These two factors explain why Thunderbolt 3 tends to cost almost double the price of a USB-C.

Furthermore, it’s important to consider that most Thunderbolt devices are more expensive. Also, most devices that only come with Thunderbolt ports, such as Mac computers, tend to be more high-priced. 

Our Pick

Belkin Thunderbolt 3

$24.99

• Transfers data at 20 Gbps
• Supports Thunderbolt, 4K, and Ultra HD displays
• Connects up to 6 Thunderbolt peripherals
• Reversible

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12/02/2023 09:35 am GMT

Thunderbolt 3 vs. USB-C: Pros and Cons

Thunderbolt 3 vs. USB-C: 6 Must-Know Facts

• USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 are both 24-pin, 8.4mm reversible connectors, but they constitute different interfaces. 
• Thunderbolt 3 can always transmit video, while USB-C needs a cable and port with Alt Mode to do it. 
• You can always connect a USB-C cable to a Thunderbolt 3 port, but not all devices with USB-C ports can support Thunderbolt 3 cables. 
• A USB-C cable can transfer data at a maximum speed of 20 Gbps, while Thunderbolt 3 can do it at a rate of 40 Gbps.
• USB-C provides 2.5 watts of power by default, and Thunderbolt 3 provides 15 watts, but they can both deliver up to 100 watts through the Power Delivery protocol.
• USB-C tends to be half the price of Thunderbolt 3. 

Thunderbolt 3 vs. USB-C: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?

After considering all this, we think Thunderbolt 3 is clearly the better cable. It’s got a higher data transfer speed, broader compatibility, and connectivity, and it also supports more displays. Its only real downside is its higher price. However, unless you’re a gamer or someone with those particular needs, USB-C will serve you just fine. 

USB-C costs half the price of Thunderbolt 3 and you will commonly find it in smartphones and computers. If you have a device with a USB-C port, it will be more convenient to buy a USB-C cable. Remember: not all USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 3 cables, and Thunderbolt 3’s higher data transfer speed only works when it’s plugged into a Thunderbolt 3 port. 

In conclusion, while Thunderbolt 3 has better specifications, we think getting a USB-C cable will generally be the wisest choice. While you should consider your needs before making a decision, USB-C’s lower price and higher availability make it our preferred option.