Head to head
Seagate One Touch 5TB vs WD My Passport Ultra 5TB (2026)
One Touch 5TB vs My Passport Ultra 5TB: scheduled backups against USB-C polish, compared for buyers who want a premium portable drive.
#6 in our rankings · Best for scheduled backups
Seagate One Touch 5TB
Best for: Buyers who want backups to happen on a schedule, with a single button press as the fallback, rather than by remembering.
#7 in our rankings · Best with password protection
WD My Passport Ultra 5TB
Best for: Buyers who carry sensitive work or personal files and want hardware-level password protection with modern USB-C connectivity.
Our recommendation
Buy the Seagate One Touch 5TB if scheduled automatic backups are your priority, since its software routine is its strongest feature. Buy the WD My Passport Ultra 5TB if you want USB-C connectivity, a polished finish, and password protection in the most refined package. Both hold 5TB and both encrypt; the choice is about software routine against modern connectivity.
Backup software
The One Touch is built around scheduled backups through Seagate Toolkit, with a one-touch button as a fallback. The Ultra includes WD backup software too, but its headline features are USB-C and encryption rather than a backup routine, so owners who need scheduling discipline should lean Seagate.
Connectivity
The Ultra's USB-C connection suits modern laptops directly, while the One Touch uses a traditional USB connection that suits older machines and hubs. Both work everywhere with the right cable, but the Ultra feels more current on a new laptop, and the One Touch feels more universal on a mixed household of machines.
Finish and feel
The Ultra's metal-accented finish looks and feels premium beside a modern laptop, while the One Touch's fabric texture looks at home on a desk and resists fingerprints. Neither affects reliability, but a drive you like looking at is a drive you keep using, which matters for backups.
Choose Seagate One Touch 5TB if…
- You want scheduled backups to run without thinking
- You like a fabric finish that hides fingerprints
- You want a one-touch backup button as a fallback
Choose WD My Passport Ultra 5TB if…
- You want USB-C connectivity for a modern laptop
- You prefer a polished, metal-accented finish
- You want WD backup software and hardware encryption together
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | Seagate One Touch 5TB | WD My Passport Ultra 5TB |
|---|---|---|
| Price tier | Mid-range | Premium |
| Capacity | 5TB | 5TB |
| Drive type | Portable mechanical hard drive, 2.5 inch | Portable mechanical hard drive, 2.5 inch |
| Interface | USB 3.0, bus powered | USB-C, USB 3.1 compatible, bus powered |
| Security | Password-activated hardware encryption | Password protection with hardware encryption |
| Software | Seagate Toolkit backup software with scheduled backups | WD backup software included |
| Best for | Buyers who want backups to happen on a schedule, with a single button press as the fallback, rather than by remembering. | Buyers who carry sensitive work or personal files and want hardware-level password protection with modern USB-C connectivity. |
| Skip if | You prefer manual drag-and-drop backups, or you need a rugged case, since this drive is built around its software routine. | You only need plain storage and will never set a password, since the standard My Passport gives the same capacity for less. |
Strengths and limitations
Seagate One Touch 5TB
Strengths
- Scheduled automatic backups remove the remembering problem entirely, which is the most common reason backups fail in practice.
- Password-activated hardware encryption protects the contents if the drive is lost or borrowed, without slowing everyday use.
- The fabric-textured case looks at home on a desk and resists fingerprints better than glossy plastic rivals.
Limitations
- The backup software works best when it is left installed and running, so buyers who dislike background software may resent it.
- The 5TB capacity in a portable case runs warmer than smaller drives during very long transfers, so ventilation matters on hot desks.
- The fabric finish can attract dust and lint in a bag, so it benefits from a sleeve more than a smooth plastic case does.
WD My Passport Ultra 5TB
Strengths
- USB-C connectivity suits modern laptops directly, with no adapter hunt, while USB-A compatibility keeps older machines in play.
- Password protection with hardware encryption keeps files private if the drive is lost, which matters for work documents and personal archives.
- The metal-accented finish and slim case look and feel a step above the standard My Passport, which suits buyers who notice such things.
Limitations
- A forgotten password locks the drive, with no back door, so password management becomes part of owning this drive.
- As with every spinning drive here, large video transfers are slower than on a portable SSD, so video editors should weigh that trade.
- The premium over the standard My Passport buys finish, USB-C, and encryption rather than extra capacity or speed.
How they fit the wider field
- Seagate One Touch 5TB: ranked #6 (Best for scheduled backups) in The Best External Hard Drives.
- WD My Passport Ultra 5TB: ranked #7 (Best with password protection) in The Best External Hard Drives.
Neither one quite right? The full rankings cover 10 picks matched to different buyers.
Questions, answered
Which has better encryption?
Both offer password-activated hardware encryption, so the practical difference is small. Choose on software and connectivity rather than encryption alone, since either drive protects its contents if lost.
Which is better for a work laptop?
The Ultra, slightly, thanks to USB-C and its professional finish, while the One Touch wins if your work backup routine must run on a schedule without fail. Both suit work use, so match the drive to your routine.
Can either drive back up automatically?
Yes, both include backup software with scheduling options, though the One Touch makes scheduling its central pitch. Whichever you choose, leave the software installed and the drive connected for schedules to run.