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File Storage · head to head

Storj vs TrueNAS

Storj logo

Storj

File Storage

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TrueNAS logo

TrueNAS

File Storage

Open-source ZFS storage operating system for network-attached storage

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.; TrueNAS requires self-hosting on x86 hardware, no managed cloud offering; organisations must provision, configure, and maintain their own infrastructure
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Storj and TrueNAS actually diverge.

Attributes where Storj and TrueNAS differ
AttributeStorjTrueNAS
Pricing modelPer terabyte per monthopen-source
PlatformsWeb, API, Linux, macOS, WindowsSelf-hosted, Linux, Web, API

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 TrueNAS

Nothing recorded that Storj does not also cover.

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 TrueNAS
  • Serving large media files internationally without paying hyperscaler egress ratesnot TrueNAS
  • Storing data where the objection to AWS, Azure or Google is jurisdiction and concentration rather than costnot TrueNAS
  • A second, independent copy of a dataset that already lives in a hyperscaler bucketnot TrueNAS

TrueNAS

  • On-premises backup and archival storage for enterprisesnot Storj
  • Home lab and small business network-attached storagenot Storj
  • Media server storage for video, photo, and document librariesnot Storj
  • Disaster recovery and business continuity replicationnot Storj
  • S3-compatible object storage for cloud-native applicationsnot Storj
  • High-availability storage clusters for datacentresnot 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.

TrueNAS

  • Requires self-hosting on x86 hardware, no managed cloud offering; organisations must provision, configure, and maintain their own infrastructure
  • ZFS filesystem entails high memory requirements (1 GB RAM per 1 TB of storage recommended), increasing costs for large deployments
  • Limited ARM/embedded support; Community Edition is primarily x86-64, reducing deployment options for edge installations
  • Clustering and replication setup requires operational expertise; misconfiguration can lead to data loss
  • Enterprise support and SLA guarantees require paid subscriptions; Community Edition relies on peer-based forums

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

TrueNAS

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the TrueNAS review.

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 TrueNAS if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Self-hosted, Linux, Web, API.
TrueNAS review

Questions people ask

Is Storj or TrueNAS better?
Neither clearly leads. Storj starts at Free and TrueNAS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Storj or TrueNAS?
Storj starts at Free and TrueNAS at Free.
Does Storj or TrueNAS run on more platforms?
Storj runs on Web, API, Linux, macOS, Windows. TrueNAS runs on Self-hosted, Linux, Web, API.
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 TrueNAS is typically brought in for.
What can Storj do that TrueNAS cannot?
Storj covers Erasure coded distribution, Client side encryption, S3-compatible gateway, Native uplink access.

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.

TrueNAS: What is the cost of TrueNAS Community Edition?

TrueNAS Community Edition is free and open-source. There are no licensing fees, but organisations must purchase and maintain their own x86 hardware. Enterprise Edition requires paid support contracts for production environments.

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.

TrueNAS: Can I replicate TrueNAS data between sites?

Yes. TrueNAS supports snapshot-based replication over network links, enabling disaster recovery and business continuity. Replication can occur between Community Edition systems or between Enterprise Appliances.

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.

TrueNAS: What storage protocols does TrueNAS support?

TrueNAS simultaneously supports NFS (network file system), SMB (Windows file sharing), iSCSI (block storage), and S3-compatible object storage, all from the same storage pool.

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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