LTO-10 Tape Drives
SymplyPRO LTO-10 tape drives, libraries and media
LTO-10 is the latest generation of LTO tape, storing up to 40 TB native (100 TB compressed) per cartridge at up to 400 MB/s. SymplyPRO LTO-10 tape drives are available as desktop units, 2U rackmount systems and automated tape libraries, with Thunderbolt / USB4, SAS, Ethernet or Fibre Channel connectivity.
LTO-10 at a glance
| LTO-10 | |
|---|---|
| Native capacity | 30 TB (standard) or 40 TB (aramid base film) |
| Compressed capacity (2.5:1) | 75 TB / 100 TB |
| Native transfer rate | Up to 400 MB/s (about 1.4 TB per hour) |
| Drive type | Full-height |
| Backward compatibility | None. Reads and writes LTO-10 media (30 TB and 40 TB) only |
| Encryption | AES-256 hardware encryption |
| WORM | Supported |
| LTFS | Supported |
Choose your SymplyPRO LTO-10 tape drive
Desktop LTO-10 tape drives
| Model | Connectivity | |
|---|---|---|
| SymplyPRO XTF Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt / USB4, plus SAS | Learn more |
| SymplyPRO XTF SAS | SAS (requires a SAS HBA) | Learn more |
| SymplyPRO XTF Ethernet | 10GbE iSCSI | Learn more |
Rackmount LTO-10 tape drives
| Model | Drives | Connectivity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SymplyPRO 2U Thunderbolt / USB4 | 1 or 2 full-height LTO-10 | Thunderbolt / USB4, plus SAS | Learn more |
| SymplyPRO 2U SAS | 1 or 2 full-height LTO-10 | SAS | Learn more |
| SymplyPRO 2U Ethernet | 1 or 2 full-height LTO-10 | 10GbE iSCSI | Learn more |
LTO-10 tape libraries
| Model | Format | LTO-10 drives | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SymplyPRO XTL 40 | 3U modular, 40 slots per module | 1 full-height per module | Learn more |
| SymplyPRO XTL 80 | 6U modular, 80 slots per module | Up to 3 full-height per module | Learn more |
| MATTERHORN | 42U / 48U enterprise library | Up to 24 full-height | Learn more |
Every standalone SymplyPRO LTO-10 tape drive includes Hedge Canister or YoYotta archive software, plus SymplyATOM2 for diagnostics and firmware updates, and a 3-year warranty.
Where to buy: in North America, order SymplyPRO LTO-10 drives and libraries online from the Symply Store. Everywhere else, find a local reseller on our Where to Buy page.
The 40 TB LTO-10 cartridge: more capacity, same drive
The LTO Program has added a 40 TB native (100 TB compressed) cartridge to LTO-10. It works in every LTO-10 drive, so you get 33% more capacity per tape without replacing hardware, robotics or workflows.
- Aramid base film: a thinner, more dimensionally stable material that fits more tape in the same Ultrium shell and holds its tracking better as temperature and humidity change. That’s useful in data halls and on-set or near-set rooms alike.
- Fewer cartridges to manage: a 10 PB archive needs about 250 cartridges at 40 TB instead of 334 at 30 TB, which saves 84 library slots, plus the handling and shipping that go with them.
- Choose per job: mix 30 TB standard and 40 TB aramid media to balance cost, capacity and site conditions.
- Fill a cartridge in under 28 hours at 400 MB/s native.
Read more: LTO-10 Reaches 40 TB: Capacity Jump Without Drive Upgrades
What’s new in LTO-10
- Up to 40 TB per cartridge, with two media options (30 TB and 40 TB). That’s 67% more capacity than LTO-9 on standard media, and more than double with 40 TB aramid media.
- A new media formulation: LTO-10 tape combines barium ferrite with strontium ferrite particles, which makes the higher recording density possible.
- No media initialization. Unlike LTO-9, new LTO-10 cartridges are ready to use straight away.
- Not backward compatible: LTO-10’s new tilted-head design gives higher track density, so LTO-10 drives can’t read or write LTO-9 or older tapes. Keep an LTO-9 drive if you need access to LTO-8 or LTO-9 archives.
- Built for the long term: the LTO roadmap now extends to generation 14, with projected capacities up to 913 TB.
Who benefits from LTO-10?
- Media & entertainment: larger native sets per tape mean faster vaulting and less handling on fast-turn productions.
- Enterprise & HPC: fewer cartridges per retention set, a smaller library footprint, and lower power and cooling.
- SMBs and branch sites: a full backup can often fit on a single 40 TB tape, which simplifies air-gapped, offsite rotation.
LTO-10 or LTO-9?
LTO-9 and LTO-10 are both current generations, and both are widely used. Which one fits best depends on the size of your archive, the tapes you already have, your budget, and how long you plan to keep the system. Here’s how they compare.
| LTO-9 | LTO-10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Native capacity per cartridge | 18 TB | 30 TB or 40 TB (aramid) |
| Compressed capacity (2.5:1) | 45 TB | 75 TB / 100 TB |
| Native transfer rate | Up to 400 MB/s (full-height), 300 MB/s (half-height) | Up to 400 MB/s |
| Drive formats | Half-height and full-height | Full-height only |
| Reads and writes older tapes | Yes — LTO-8 | No — LTO-10 media only |
| New media initialization | One-time, on first load (about 20 minutes on average) | Not required |
| Drive price | Lower | Higher |
| Media cost per TB | Typically lower — a mature format | Typically higher while the format is new; tends to fall over time |
Things to weigh up:
- Upfront cost vs. cost per archive. LTO-10 drives and cartridges cost more today, but each cartridge holds 67–122% more data. For large or fast-growing archives, fewer cartridges, library slots and shipments can offset the higher price over time. For smaller archives, LTO-9 often has the lower total cost.
- Your existing tapes. LTO-9 drives read and write LTO-8 media, so LTO-8 archives stay accessible. LTO-10 drives can’t read earlier generations—if you move to LTO-10, keep an LTO-9 drive (or a dual-drive system) for older tapes.
- Size and form factor. LTO-9 is available in compact half-height drives, including the smallest single-drive desktop units. LTO-10 drives are full-height only, so desktop and rackmount systems are larger.
- Workflow and setup time. Both generations reach up to 400 MB/s native in full-height drives. LTO-9 cartridges need a one-time initialization when first loaded; LTO-10 cartridges are ready straight away—useful when loading many new tapes at once.
- Planning horizon. LTO-10 is the newest generation on the LTO roadmap, so it offers the longest runway before the next migration. LTO-9 is a proven, widely deployed format with broad support across software and libraries.
Many studios and IT teams run both: LTO-9 for existing archives and compatibility, LTO-10 for new, high-capacity projects. Learn more about the generations in What is LTO?, or talk to our team about the right mix for your workflow and budget.
Need help choosing an LTO-10 setup, or modeling a 30 TB / 40 TB media mix? Contact our team, or compare the full SymplyPRO LTO range. Have more questions? Read our LTO Tape FAQ.