About ArDrive
Permanent storage, not a subscription.
ArDrive is a permanent storage app that keeps your files, sites and apps on Arweave for a one-time payment, for anyone who wants their data to outlast a subscription or a single company.
The platform
What ArDrive does
ArDrive app
The ArDrive web app lets you create drives, upload files, and organize them into folders, much like a familiar cloud storage app. You choose which drives are public and which are private and encrypted, and every upload becomes a permanent, addressable file on Arweave.
ArDrive CLI
The ArDrive command line interface runs the same uploads and drive management from a terminal instead of a browser. It suits bulk uploads, backups, and workflows driven by scripts, automation tools, or bots rather than manual clicks.
Turbo, for developers
Turbo is the upload service behind ArDrive. Developers use the open-source Turbo SDK to upload data to Arweave from their own apps, and can pay with a credit card instead of holding AR tokens.
Site and app hosting
You can host a static site or app by uploading its files to a drive; the folder becomes a permanent location on Arweave. Pointing a human-readable ArNS domain at that folder gives visitors a stable link even as you publish new versions.
What stays true
What makes ArDrive different
01
Pay once, not monthly
You pay one time for each file you upload, instead of a recurring subscription. Storage providers like Dropbox and Google Drive bill you monthly or yearly to keep your files online; ArDrive charges once, when you upload.
02
Your data lives on Arweave
Files uploaded through ArDrive are stored on Arweave, a decentralized network of storage nodes, rather than on a single company's servers. Your data stays available even if ArDrive stops operating.
03
Open source
The ArDrive app, CLI, and core libraries are open source and published on GitHub, so anyone can inspect, audit, or build on them.
04
You hold your own keys
Your ArDrive wallet is controlled by a seed phrase or keyfile that only you hold, not by ArDrive. ArDrive never stores a copy, so it can't recover a wallet for you if both are lost.
05
Private, encrypted drives
Files in a private drive are encrypted before they leave your device, and only you and the people you share a key with can open them. Public drives, once uploaded, are visible to anyone.
06
Readable from any Arweave gateway
A public file uploaded through ArDrive gets a permanent transaction ID that any Arweave gateway can serve, so retrieving it doesn't depend on ArDrive's own servers staying online.
Who it's for
Who uses ArDrive
- Individuals archiving family photos, videos, and documents
- Digital artists and NFT creators timestamping their work
- Journalists, researchers, and archivists preserving records and source material
- Open-source developers and communities publishing sites, apps, and data
- Businesses and creators who want files to stay accessible without a recurring bill
Who builds it
Who builds ArDrive
ArDrive is built by Permanent Data Solutions, Inc. ArDrive began in 2020.
Uploads are handled by Turbo, which Permanent Data Solutions also runs. ArDrive is part of the ar.io ecosystem.
Get started
How to get started
Step 1
Sign up and create a drive
Go to app.ardrive.io and create your first drive. ArDrive can generate an Arweave wallet for you if you don't already have one.
Step 2
Add credits
Add Turbo Credits with a credit or debit card, or use the free tier for very small uploads. Current rates are on the pricing page.
Step 3
Upload your files
Upload files or folders into your drive. Each upload becomes a permanent transaction on Arweave.
Step 4
Build or get help
To build an integration, use the developer docs. For anything else, use the contact page.
At a glance
Key facts
| Name | ArDrive |
|---|---|
| Type | Permanent storage app built on Arweave |
| Built by | Permanent Data Solutions, Inc. |
| Started | 2020 |
| Files stored | Billions, through ArDrive and Turbo |
| Website | ardrive.io |
| Core offering | Permanent, one-time-payment file storage |
| Pricing model | Pay once per upload, no subscription. Current rates: pricing page |
| Services | ArDrive app, ArDrive CLI, Turbo uploads and SDK |
| Open source | github.com/ardriveapp |
| Help | Help center, Contact |
| Social | X @ardriveapp, Discord, GitHub |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is ArDrive a subscription?
No. You pay once per file when you upload it. There's no recurring bill to keep a file accessible.
What happens to my files if ArDrive shuts down?
Your files stay on Arweave, the decentralized network ArDrive stores data on, not on ArDrive's own servers. They remain retrievable through Arweave gateways even if ArDrive stops operating.
Can I delete a file after I upload it?
No. Once an upload is confirmed on Arweave, it can't be removed by you, by ArDrive, or by anyone else. You can hide a file from your own view in the app, or choose not to share it, but the underlying data stays on the network.
Who can see my files?
Anyone can see a file in a public drive once it's uploaded. Files in a private drive are encrypted and visible only to you and anyone you explicitly share a key with.
Do I need cryptocurrency to use ArDrive?
No. ArDrive can pay for uploads with a credit or debit card through Turbo. You still get an Arweave wallet to sign your uploads, and ArDrive can generate one for you.
What can I store on ArDrive?
ArDrive accepts most common file types, including documents, photos, video, audio, and zipped folders, plus static sites and apps you want to publish with a permanent link.
What is the permaweb?
The permaweb is the network of pages and files stored permanently on Arweave and served through gateways. ArDrive is one of the apps that lets you publish to it and manage what you store there.
Store something that lasts.
Permanent, private, user-owned storage, for a one-time payment.
Get Started