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File Storage · head to head

Panzura vs Tigris

Panzura logo

Panzura

File Storage

Global file system putting one namespace over object storage across sites

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tigris logo

Tigris

File Storage

Globally distributed S3-compatible object storage with zero egress fees

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Tigris has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Panzura cloud egress charges apply whenever data is read from the object store into a site that has not cached it, and organisations routinely discover this during a restore or a new site rollout rather than during procurement.; Tigris lowest tier still more expensive than some cold storage alternatives
  • They diverge on capability: Panzura covers Global file system, Tigris covers Global Distribution.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Panzura and Tigris actually diverge.

Attributes where Panzura and Tigris differ
AttributePanzuraTigris
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteUsage-based tiered storage with per-request fees
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsLinux, Windows, WebWeb, API, CLI

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 Panzura

  • Global file system
  • Global file locking
  • Local caching filers
  • Deduplication
  • Immutable snapshots
  • Cloud mirroring
  • Symphony data services

Only in Tigris

  • Global Distribution
  • Zero Egress Fees
  • S3 Compatibility
  • Multiple Storage Classes
  • Object Notifications
  • API Access

What people use each for

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

Panzura

  • An architecture firm with offices in three cities working on the same Revit models without copy conflictsnot Tigris
  • A media company consolidating project storage into object storage while keeping editors on a normal SMB sharenot Tigris
  • A manufacturer replacing per-site NAS filers and the backup estate that came with themnot Tigris
  • An organisation that needs immutable snapshots of unstructured file data as a ransomware recovery positionnot Tigris

Tigris

  • Storing and versioning AI training datasets without egress penaltiesnot Panzura
  • Distributing model checkpoints and artifacts globallynot Panzura
  • Serving static assets with low latency across regionsnot Panzura
  • Multi-cloud data portability with standardized APInot Panzura

Where each one falls short

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

Panzura

  • Cloud egress charges apply whenever data is read from the object store into a site that has not cached it, and organisations routinely discover this during a restore or a new site rollout rather than during procurement.
  • Performance depends entirely on cache hit rates, so a team that works across the whole dataset rather than a hot subset sees latency that a local NAS would not have produced.
  • Licence cost is only part of total cost; object storage capacity, per-site filer nodes and egress all sit outside the vendor quote and can exceed it.
  • Recovery of a very large dataset is bounded by your internet link and by egress cost, so the practical recovery time after a site loss is often much longer than the snapshot policy implies.
  • Encryption keys can be held by the customer, but organisations that accept vendor-managed defaults give up the ability to render the object store unreadable independently, which some regulators now ask about explicitly.

Tigris

  • Lowest tier still more expensive than some cold storage alternatives
  • Retrieval charges on infrequent access tier add cost variability
  • Limited to object storage, no file system semantics
  • Archive retrieval requires planning ahead

Pricing, plan by plan

Panzura

On request
  • Panzura CloudFS$undefined/year
    • Priced by usable capacity under management
    • Filer nodes licensed per site, physical or virtual
    • Object storage and cloud egress billed by your cloud provider separately

Tigris

Free
  • Standard Storage$0.02/GB/month
    • Frequently accessed data
    • No retrieval charges
    • Free data egress
  • Infrequent Access$0.01/GB/month
    • Lower storage cost
    • Retrieval: $0.01 per GB
    • 30-day minimum retention
  • Archive$0.004/GB/month
    • Lowest storage cost
    • Free retrieval
    • 90-day minimum retention
  • Archive Instant Retrieval$0.004/GB/month
    • Archive storage cost
    • Instant retrieval: $0.03 per GB
    • 90-day minimum retention

Which should you pick?

Choose Panzura if

  • You need global file system.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Web.
  • You also want global file locking.
Panzura review

Choose Tigris if

  • You need global distribution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API, CLI.
  • You also want zero egress fees.
Tigris review

Questions people ask

Is Panzura or Tigris better?
Neither clearly leads. Panzura starts at On request and Tigris at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Panzura or Tigris?
Tigris has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Panzura and Free for Tigris.
Does Panzura or Tigris run on more platforms?
Panzura runs on Linux, Windows, Web. Tigris runs on Web, API, CLI.
Can I use Tigris for free?
Yes. Tigris has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Panzura starts at On request.
What is Panzura best used for?
Panzura is most often used for an architecture firm with offices in three cities working on the same revit models without copy conflicts, a media company consolidating project storage into object storage while keeping editors on a normal smb share, a manufacturer replacing per-site nas filers and the backup estate that came with them, an organisation that needs immutable snapshots of unstructured file data as a ransomware recovery position. Of those, an architecture firm with offices in three cities working on the same revit models without copy conflicts and a media company consolidating project storage into object storage while keeping editors on a normal smb share are not what Tigris is typically brought in for.
What can Panzura do that Tigris cannot?
Panzura covers Global file system, Global file locking, Local caching filers, Deduplication. Tigris covers Global Distribution, Zero Egress Fees, S3 Compatibility, Multiple Storage Classes.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Panzura: Who holds the encryption keys?

Customer-managed keys are supported. Insist on them if you need the ability to revoke access to the object store independently of the vendor, and confirm the key custody model in writing.

Tigris: Is there a free tier?

Yes, new users receive 5 GB of Standard storage monthly plus 10,000 Class A and 100,000 Class B requests at no cost.

Source
Panzura: What does it actually cost to run?

Model three things: the Panzura subscription, the object storage capacity, and cloud egress. The third is the one that catches buyers out during restores and site bring-ups.

Tigris: What are the request costs?

Class A requests cost $0.005 per 1,000 requests, Class B requests cost $0.0005 per 1,000 requests. DELETE and CANCEL operations are free.

Source
Panzura: Does it replace backup?

Immutable snapshots cover many recovery scenarios, but confirm your retention and compliance requirements before removing an existing backup product.

Tigris: Do I get charged for data egress?

No, Tigris provides free data egress across all storage tiers.

Source
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