| Parameter | EXT2 | EXT3 | EXT4 |
| Introduced year | 1993 | 2001 | 2008 |
| Developed by | Remy Card | Stephen Tweedie | Team of developers |
| Journaling | Not available | Available | Available |
| Individual file size | 16GB to 2TB | 16GB to 2TB | 16GB to 16TB |
| File system size | 2TB to 32TB | 4TB to 32TB | up to 1EB |
| Upgrade | Can be done online to EXT3. Can be mounted as EXT4. No upgrade needed | Can be mounted as EXT4. No upgrade needed | NA |