IOPS stands for Input/Output Operations Per Second. It measures how quickly a storage device (such as a solid-state drive or hard disc drive) can perform individual read and write tasks. Higher IOPS means the device responds faster when applications demand data.
Think of IOPS like a till at a shop. A till that processes one customer per second has lower throughput than one that processes ten customers per second. Similarly, a hard disc drive might manage 100 IOPS, whilst a modern SSD can deliver thousands. IOPS matters most when you run tasks that involve many small file operations: opening applications, loading databases, or running virtual machines.
IOPS figures vary depending on workload type. Random IOPS (jumping between different parts of the drive) and sequential IOPS (reading files in order) produce different results. Manufacturers typically quote the faster sequential numbers in marketing, so check the small print.
When shopping for storage, IOPS becomes important if you use your device for demanding work like video editing, programming, or running a home server. If you mainly browse the web and stream films, even a standard hard disc drive delivers enough IOPS. For gaming, SSD speeds matter more than raw IOPS figures. Check the manufacturer's specifications sheet, not just the capacity, to understand what speed you actually get.