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File Storage · head to head

CrashPlan vs Storj

CrashPlan logo

CrashPlan

File Storage

Endpoint backup designed for work-from-anywhere

From
$8/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Storj logo

Storj

File Storage

S3-compatible object storage distributed in encrypted pieces across independently operated nodes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Storj has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CrashPlan initial data uploads can be noticeably slow, often taking several full days for complete system backups; Storj billing includes a per segment charge and every object consumes at least one segment, so a bucket holding millions of small files can cost several times what the four dollar per terabyte headline implies.
  • They diverge on capability: CrashPlan covers Automatic backup, Storj covers Erasure coded distribution.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CrashPlan and Storj actually diverge.

Attributes where CrashPlan and Storj differ
AttributeCrashPlanStorj
Starting price$8/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownPer terabyte per month
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Cloud (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace)Web, API, Linux, macOS, Windows
Founded2001Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (File Storage).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in CrashPlan

  • Automatic backup
  • Continuous protection
  • Legal hold
  • Centralized administration
  • Unlimited storage
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • Active Directory
  • LDAP

Only in Storj

  • Erasure coded distribution
  • Client side encryption
  • S3-compatible gateway
  • Native uplink access
  • Object Lock and versioning
  • Storj Select

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

CrashPlan

  • Data protectionnot Storj
  • Disaster recoverynot Storj
  • Business continuitynot Storj
  • Ransomware protectionnot Storj
  • Compliancenot Storj

Storj

  • An offsite backup or archive target where the data is large, written once and occasionally restorednot CrashPlan
  • Serving large media files internationally without paying hyperscaler egress ratesnot CrashPlan
  • Storing data where the objection to AWS, Azure or Google is jurisdiction and concentration rather than costnot CrashPlan
  • A second, independent copy of a dataset that already lives in a hyperscaler bucketnot CrashPlan

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

CrashPlan

  • Initial data uploads can be noticeably slow, often taking several full days for complete system backups
  • Occasional slow restore speeds for very large files impact recovery time objectives
  • Full system recovery requires requesting hard drive delivery instead of bare-metal restore capability
  • Difficulties reported with backing up or restoring data from external hard drives
  • Pricing is higher than some competitors like Backblaze when compared per user/month
  • Limited SIEM integration and governance reporting for enterprise environments

Storj

  • Billing includes a per segment charge and every object consumes at least one segment, so a bucket holding millions of small files can cost several times what the four dollar per terabyte headline implies.
  • Reconstructing an object requires responses from dozens of independent nodes, so time to first byte is noticeably higher than a centralised bucket and it is a poor fit behind a latency sensitive read path.
  • Performance depends on the mix of node operators serving you at that moment rather than on a datacentre you can raise a ticket against, so slow reads are diagnosed statistically rather than fixed.
  • The hosted S3 gateway terminates encryption on Storj infrastructure, so using the convenient access path gives up the end to end encryption that is the main architectural argument for the service.
  • The S3 gateway is compatible rather than identical, so tools that lean on less common API calls, multipart edge cases or unusual header behaviour need testing before you commit a workload to it.

Pricing, plan by plan

CrashPlan

$8/month
  • Professional (Monthly)$8/month
    • Unlimited backup capacity
    • Unlimited file versions
    • 90-day deleted file retention
  • Professional (Annual)$88/year
    • All Monthly features
    • $0.88 savings per month vs monthly billing
  • Professional (2-Year)$158/2 years
    • All features
    • Lower per-month cost vs annual

Storj

Free
  • Free trialFree
    • 25 GB stored
    • 25 GB egress per month
    • No card required to start
  • Storj$4/month
    • 4 USD per terabyte stored per month
    • 7 USD per terabyte of egress
    • Per segment fee on top of stored volume

Which should you pick?

Choose CrashPlan if

  • You need automatic backup.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Cloud (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace).
  • You also want continuous protection.
CrashPlan review

Choose Storj if

  • You need erasure coded distribution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API, Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want client side encryption.
Storj review

Questions people ask

Is CrashPlan or Storj better?
Neither clearly leads. CrashPlan starts at $8/month and Storj at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CrashPlan or Storj?
Storj has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $8/month for CrashPlan and Free for Storj.
Does CrashPlan or Storj run on more platforms?
CrashPlan runs on Windows, macOS, Cloud (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace). Storj runs on Web, API, Linux, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Storj for free?
Yes. Storj has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. CrashPlan starts at $8/month.
What is CrashPlan best used for?
CrashPlan is most often used for data protection, disaster recovery, business continuity, ransomware protection. Of those, data protection and disaster recovery are not what Storj is typically brought in for.
What can CrashPlan do that Storj cannot?
CrashPlan covers Automatic backup, Continuous protection, Legal hold, Centralized administration. Storj covers Erasure coded distribution, Client side encryption, S3-compatible gateway, Native uplink access.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

CrashPlan: What is CrashPlan's pricing for business backup?

CrashPlan Professional Edition costs $8 per user/month (billed monthly), $7.33 per user/month when billed annually ($88/year), or $158 per user for a 2-year commitment. This includes unlimited backup capacity, unlimited file versions, and 90-day deleted file retention.

Source
Storj: Why is my bill higher than four dollars per terabyte?

Almost always the per segment fee. Objects are split into segments and small files each consume one, so a few million tiny objects generate a segment charge that dwarfs the storage line.

CrashPlan: Does CrashPlan offer a free trial?

Yes, CrashPlan offers a 14-day free trial. Credit card information is required for signup, but there will be no charge if you cancel during the trial period. Your credit card will be automatically charged when the trial ends unless you cancel.

Source
Storj: Can node operators read my data?

No. Files are encrypted client side and each operator holds only an erasure coded fragment, which is not a readable portion of the file.

CrashPlan: What platforms and services does CrashPlan protect?

CrashPlan protects Windows and Mac endpoints, Microsoft 365 services (Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams), and Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive). The platform provides backup for endpoints, servers, and cloud applications.

Source
Storj: Is there a minimum retention period?

No. You are billed for what you store while you store it, unlike several competitors that bill a ninety day minimum whatever you delete.

CrashPlan: Does CrashPlan have a free version for consumers?

No, CrashPlan discontinued its consumer personal backup tier and now focuses exclusively on commercial businesses. The platform is strictly for business and organizational use.

Source
Storj: Is it fast enough to serve a website from?

For large files with parallel reads, yes. For many small objects where time to first byte matters, put a CDN in front of it or use something centralised.

CrashPlan: What is CrashPlan's partnership status with Microsoft?

CrashPlan is a trusted Microsoft Partner and is co-sell eligible. The platform is available in the Microsoft Marketplace and counts toward customers' Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC). CrashPlan is built on Microsoft Azure infrastructure.

Source
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