How to choose object storage without overpaying on egress
Object storage is for files, media, and backups—but the biggest cost driver is usually egress and API calls, not storage size. Choose based on access pattern and network paths.
Top Rated Object Storage
Amazon S3
Hyperscaler object storage standard for unstructured data with deep AWS integrations and broad tooling support; total cost is often driven b...
Google Cloud Storage
GCP-native hyperscaler object storage for unstructured data; strong GCP integration, but total cost is often driven by egress and requests r...
Azure Blob Storage
Azure-native hyperscaler object storage aligned to Microsoft identity and governance; total cost is often driven by egress and transaction p...
Cloudflare R2
S3-compatible object storage often evaluated to reduce egress-driven spend and support edge-adjacent workflows; fit depends on access patter...
Wasabi
Cost-driven, S3-compatible object storage commonly evaluated for backups and large footprints; fit depends on pricing mechanics, policies, a...
Backblaze B2
Cost-driven object storage for backups and media, often evaluated versus Wasabi and S3 when the decision is pricing mechanics (egress + requ...
DigitalOcean Spaces
Developer-friendly object storage for SMB teams already using DigitalOcean, chosen for simplicity and straightforward operations rather than...
Linode Object Storage
S3-compatible object storage for SMB teams, especially those on Linode, chosen for straightforward operations and predictable workflows over...
Vultr Object Storage
S3-compatible object storage for SMB and developer teams, chosen for straightforward operations and predictable workflows without hyperscale...
Pricing and availability may change. Verify details on the official website.
How to Choose the Right Object Storage Platform
Egress and network paths (the real cost driver)
Storage cost is rarely the problem at scale. Egress, transfers, and access patterns usually dominate—especially for media delivery and restores.
Questions to ask:
- Where do reads come from (CDN, app servers, users) and how much data leaves the provider each month?
- Is the workload read-heavy (delivery) or write-heavy (backups/ingest)?
- Do you have cross-region replication or cross-cloud transfers that compound egress?
S3 compatibility vs pricing mechanics reality
Many providers advertise S3-compatible APIs, which helps portability—but compatibility does not mean identical pricing, limits, or behavior.
Questions to ask:
- Which S3 features do you rely on (multipart uploads, lifecycle rules, replication, encryption controls)?
- How many requests will you generate (GET/PUT/LIST) under real usage?
- Are there policy minimums or constraints that change economics for backups and archives?
How We Rank Object Storage
Source-Led Facts
We prioritize official pricing pages and vendor documentation over third-party review noise.
Intent Over Pricing
A $0 plan is only a "deal" if it actually solves your problem. We rank based on use-case fitness.
Durable Ranges
Vendor prices change daily. We highlight stable pricing bands to help you plan your long-term budget.