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File Storage · head to head

Tigris vs VAST Data

Tigris logo

Tigris

File Storage

Globally distributed S3-compatible object storage with zero egress fees

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
VAST Data logo

VAST Data

File Storage

All-flash storage designed to make hard disk tiers unnecessary

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Tigris has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Tigris lowest tier still more expensive than some cold storage alternatives; VAST Data data reduction ratios drive the economics, and datasets that are already compressed, such as media or encrypted files, reduce poorly and destroy the cost per terabyte case.
  • They diverge on capability: Tigris covers Global Distribution, VAST Data covers Disaggregated architecture.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Tigris and VAST Data actually diverge.

Attributes where Tigris and VAST Data differ
AttributeTigrisVAST Data
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUsage-based tiered storage with per-request feesquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, API, CLILinux

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 Tigris

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

Only in VAST Data

  • Disaggregated architecture
  • Similarity-based reduction
  • All-flash single tier
  • Multi-protocol access
  • Wide erasure coding
  • GPU-oriented throughput
  • Snapshots and replication

What people use each for

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

Tigris

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

VAST Data

  • A GPU training cluster where storage throughput, not compute, is the bottleneck on job completionnot Tigris
  • A genomics group holding petabytes of sequencing output that must stay immediately readable rather than archived to tapenot Tigris
  • A quantitative finance team running backtests over historical market data that a disk tier cannot serve fast enoughnot Tigris
  • An organisation consolidating a fast tier and an archive tier into one system to reduce rack space and power drawnot Tigris

Where each one falls short

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

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

VAST Data

  • Data reduction ratios drive the economics, and datasets that are already compressed, such as media or encrypted files, reduce poorly and destroy the cost per terabyte case.
  • There is a minimum viable cluster size, so the entry cost is high and the platform is not sensible for a small footprint however attractive the architecture is.
  • Pricing is quoted against effective capacity after reduction, which means the price you signed depends on an assumption about your own data that only becomes measurable after deployment.
  • The platform has expanded into database and data catalogue functions, which broadens the roadmap but means buyers evaluating it as a file system must be careful not to be sold an adjacent product they will not use.
  • As a relatively young vendor in a market of long-lived incumbents, buyers with ten year retention requirements should press on long term support commitments and hardware availability rather than assume them.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

VAST Data

On request
  • VAST Data Platform$undefined/year
    • Priced per usable capacity after data reduction
    • Hardware and software sold together or via certified partners
    • Subscription and capital purchase options

Which should you pick?

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

Choose VAST Data if

  • You need disaggregated architecture.
  • You work on Linux.
  • You also want similarity-based reduction.
VAST Data review

Questions people ask

Is Tigris or VAST Data better?
Neither clearly leads. Tigris starts at Free and VAST Data at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Tigris or VAST Data?
Tigris has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Tigris and On request for VAST Data.
Does Tigris or VAST Data run on more platforms?
Tigris runs on Web, API, CLI. VAST Data runs on Linux.
Can I use Tigris for free?
Yes. Tigris has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. VAST Data starts at On request.
What is Tigris best used for?
Tigris is most often used for storing and versioning ai training datasets without egress penalties, distributing model checkpoints and artifacts globally, serving static assets with low latency across regions, multi-cloud data portability with standardized api. Of those, storing and versioning ai training datasets without egress penalties and distributing model checkpoints and artifacts globally are not what VAST Data is typically brought in for.
What can Tigris do that VAST Data cannot?
Tigris covers Global Distribution, Zero Egress Fees, S3 Compatibility, Multiple Storage Classes. VAST Data covers Disaggregated architecture, Similarity-based reduction, All-flash single tier, Multi-protocol access.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
VAST Data: Do we still need an archive tier?

That is the central claim, and it holds when your data reduces well. Run a reduction assessment on your actual dataset before accepting the economics.

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
VAST Data: How is capacity priced?

On usable capacity after data reduction, quoted rather than published. That makes the reduction ratio assumption the most important number in the contract.

Tigris: Do I get charged for data egress?

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

Source
VAST Data: Is it suitable for a small deployment?

No. There is a minimum cluster size and the entry cost reflects it. Small footprints are better served elsewhere.

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