compare to the cloud
see the difference the permanent cloud makes
|
Traditional Cloud Storage | |
|---|---|---|
| Payment method | One Time Payment Per File | Monthly Subscription Fee |
| Cost | Single file uploads are often a fraction of a cent | Plans vary from free for small storage to much higher monthly fees for more significant storage |
| Storage length | 200+ years | As long as you pay your monthly subscription |
| Data Location | Global, decentralized network | Centralized data centres owned by the company |
| Backups | Hundreds of replicas of each file distributed throughout the world | One or two offsite backups |
| Account durability | Inactive accounts never deleted | Accounts tied to monthly subscription |
| Security | Keep your personal files secure with top-level encryption | Private encryption often unavailable; risk of data leaks from centralized password management |
| Anonymity | Enabled through self-custodial wallet | Disallowed - email or social media verification required |
| App access | The ArDrive app will outlive the company, ensuring uninterrupted access | Closed-source app subject to corporate control and profitability concerns |
| Version control | Choose any version of the app to suit your needs | Only the most recent version is available |
| Storage capacity | No storage restrictions - just pay for what you need | Storage based on subscription tiers with maximum storage amounts per tier |
| File Access | Files are retrievable through any decentralized gateway using ar.io | Access through centralized servers only |
| Domain Integration | Decentralized, permanent domain names available through ArNS | Centrally-controlled DNS names |
| Tracking | No collection of personal data (except as needed for credit card purchases) | User tracking and big data collection |
| Developers | Open source, permissionless code base | Closed source with limited API access |
No email required
Read more about the ArDrive difference