Amazon S3
Scalable object storage service for unlimited data storage and retrieval with high durability and availability
Storj
Decentralized, S3-compatible storage that encrypts and distributes your data.
Storj provides a secure, private, and affordable object storage platform that encrypts files, shards them, and stores them across a global network, while offering S3-compatible APIs for seamless integration.
Overview
Overview
Storj V3 delivers a distributed cloud storage solution aimed at developers and organizations that prioritize data privacy, durability, and cost efficiency. By encrypting data client‑side, breaking it into shards, and dispersing those shards across a worldwide network of independent storage nodes, Storj ensures that only the data owner can access the original content.
Capabilities & Deployment
The platform offers an S3‑compatible API, allowing existing tools, SDKs, and workflows to interact with Storj without major changes. Users can deploy the solution via the provided CLI, test network, or S3 gateway, and benefit from transparent, pay‑as‑you‑go pricing. While the network’s decentralized nature provides high redundancy, performance may vary based on node availability and network conditions.
Who Should Use It
Ideal for privacy‑focused SaaS applications, cost‑sensitive backups, and large‑scale media archiving, Storj balances security with accessibility, making it a compelling alternative to traditional centralized storage providers.
Highlights
End‑to‑end encryption with client‑side key management
Automatic sharding and distribution across a global network of nodes
S3‑compatible API for drop‑in replacement of existing workflows
Pay‑as‑you‑go pricing model with no hidden fees
Pros
- Strong privacy guarantees via client‑side encryption
- High durability from distributed redundancy
- Compatibility with existing S3 tools and libraries
- Transparent pricing based on actual storage used
Considerations
- Performance can vary depending on node availability and network latency
- Requires internet connectivity to retrieve distributed shards
- Not suited for ultra‑low‑latency workloads compared to local SSD storage
- AGPL‑3.0 license may limit use in proprietary closed‑source products
Managed products teams compare with
When teams consider Storj, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.
Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.
Fit guide
Great for
- Developers building privacy‑focused SaaS applications
- Enterprises needing cost‑effective, geographically dispersed backup
- Startups looking for S3‑compatible storage without vendor lock‑in
- Projects that can tolerate variable latency for the benefit of security
Not ideal when
- Real‑time video streaming requiring sub‑millisecond latency
- On‑premises environments with strict air‑gap policies
- Companies that cannot comply with AGPL‑3.0 licensing terms
- Workloads demanding guaranteed performance SLAs from a single provider
How teams use it
Secure backup for SaaS data
Encrypted backups are stored across multiple nodes, ensuring durability and compliance without managing infrastructure.
Media asset archiving
Large video and image libraries are sharded and stored cost‑effectively, with S3 API access for existing pipelines.
IoT data lake
Continuous sensor streams are ingested via the S3 gateway, providing scalable, encrypted storage for analytics.
Disaster recovery for web applications
Application snapshots are replicated globally, enabling rapid restoration after regional outages.
Tech snapshot
Go79%
Vue12%
TypeScript4%
HTML2%
Shell1%
Rich Text Format1%
Frequently asked questions
How is my data encrypted in Storj?
Encryption happens client‑side before upload; only you hold the encryption keys, and the network never sees plaintext.
Can I use existing S3 tools with Storj?
Yes, Storj implements the S3 API, so tools like AWS CLI, Terraform, and SDKs work with minimal configuration changes.
What pricing model does Storj use?
Storj charges per gigabyte stored and per gigabyte transferred, with no minimum commitments or hidden fees.
Is the network truly decentralized?
Data is split into shards and distributed across a worldwide network of independent storage node operators, providing redundancy and geographic dispersion.
What licensing considerations should I be aware of?
Storj V3 is released under the AGPL‑3.0 license, which requires source code disclosure for modifications when the software is accessed over a network.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 3,210
- Watchers
- 3,210
- Forks
- 423
LicenseAGPL-3.0
Repo age7 years old
Last commit3 hours ago
Primary languageGo
Last synced 3 hours ago