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File Storage · head to head

Storj vs Wasabi

Storj logo

Storj

File Storage

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wasabi logo

Wasabi

Cloud

Hot cloud storage without egress fees

From
$7.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Storj has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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.; Wasabi 90-day minimum storage duration with no option to delete before full period without penalty
  • They diverge on capability: Storj covers Erasure coded distribution, Wasabi covers Hot Cloud Storage.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Storj and Wasabi actually diverge.

Attributes where Storj and Wasabi differ
AttributeStorjWasabi
Starting priceFree$7.99/month
Pricing modelPer terabyte per monthUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, API, Linux, macOS, WindowsWeb, API
CategoryFile StorageCloud
FoundedUnknown2015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Wasabi

  • Hot Cloud Storage
  • S3 Compatible API
  • Object Lock
  • Versioning
  • Multi-region
  • Data Migration Tools
  • Immutability
  • Ransomware Protection

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

Wasabi

  • Backup and recoverynot Storj
  • Media storagenot Storj
  • Archive replacementnot Storj
  • Ransomware protectionnot 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.

Wasabi

  • 90-day minimum storage duration with no option to delete before full period without penalty
  • Significantly smaller global footprint than AWS with only 16 regions, resulting in higher latency for users in underserved regions
  • Performance can degrade with high-volume transactions requiring throughput management strategies
  • Hot storage only, no cold/archival storage tier for long-term data at lower cost
  • Support responsiveness gaps with teams experiencing multi-day waits for critical issue resolution

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

Wasabi

$7.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Wasabi 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 Wasabi if

  • You need hot cloud storage.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want s3 compatible api.
Wasabi review

Questions people ask

Is Storj or Wasabi better?
Neither clearly leads. Storj starts at Free and Wasabi at $7.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Storj or Wasabi?
Storj has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Storj and $7.99/month for Wasabi.
Does Storj or Wasabi run on more platforms?
Storj runs on Web, API, Linux, macOS, Windows. Wasabi runs on Web, API.
Can I use Storj for free?
Yes. Storj has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Wasabi starts at $7.99/month.
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 Wasabi is typically brought in for.
What can Storj do that Wasabi cannot?
Storj covers Erasure coded distribution, Client side encryption, S3-compatible gateway, Native uplink access. Wasabi covers Hot Cloud Storage, S3 Compatible API, Object Lock, Versioning.

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.

Wasabi: What is Wasabi's pricing structure?

Wasabi offers pay-as-you-go pricing at $7.99 per TB per month as of July 2026, with no egress or API request fees. Reserved capacity plans are available for multi-year terms with volume discounts.

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.

Wasabi: Does Wasabi charge for data downloads or API calls?

No. Wasabi includes zero egress fees and zero API request fees, which is a major cost advantage over AWS S3. Customers can plan their budget to the penny without worrying about surprise data transfer charges.

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.

Wasabi: Is there a minimum storage duration requirement?

Yes. Wasabi enforces a 90-day minimum storage term. Users who delete data before 90 days are still charged for the full 90-day period.

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.

Wasabi: Is Wasabi S3-compatible?

Yes. Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage is fully S3-compatible, meaning organizations can integrate it into existing workflows without rewriting application code used with AWS S3.

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