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File Storage · head to head

Storj vs Tigris

Storj logo

Storj

File Storage

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

From
Free
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

  • Each has a real cost: 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.; Tigris lowest tier still more expensive than some cold storage alternatives
  • They diverge on capability: Storj covers Erasure coded distribution, Tigris covers Global Distribution.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Storj and Tigris actually diverge.

Attributes where Storj and Tigris differ
AttributeStorjTigris
Pricing modelPer terabyte per monthUsage-based tiered storage with per-request fees
PlatformsWeb, API, Linux, macOS, WindowsWeb, API, CLI

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Storj

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

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.

Storj

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

Tigris

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

Where each one falls short

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

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.

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

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

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 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

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 Storj or Tigris better?
Neither clearly leads. Storj starts at Free and Tigris at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Storj or Tigris?
Storj starts at Free and Tigris at Free.
Does Storj or Tigris run on more platforms?
Storj runs on Web, API, Linux, macOS, Windows. Tigris runs on Web, API, CLI.
Can I use Storj for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Storj best used for?
Storj is most often used for an offsite backup or archive target where the data is large, written once and occasionally restored, serving large media files internationally without paying hyperscaler egress rates, storing data where the objection to aws, azure or google is jurisdiction and concentration rather than cost, a second, independent copy of a dataset that already lives in a hyperscaler bucket. Of those, an offsite backup or archive target where the data is large, written once and occasionally restored and serving large media files internationally without paying hyperscaler egress rates are not what Tigris is typically brought in for.
What can Storj do that Tigris cannot?
Storj covers Erasure coded distribution, Client side encryption, S3-compatible gateway, Native uplink access. Tigris covers Global Distribution, Zero Egress Fees, S3 Compatibility, Multiple Storage Classes.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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.

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
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.

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
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.

Tigris: Do I get charged for data egress?

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

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.

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