Quick answer
Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage - Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage wins for most builders because it has a real perpetual free tier with simple object storage pricing, while Amazon EBS is a short intro offer tied to AWS credits and a narrower block-storage use case.
How the free tiers compare
These products solve different storage problems, and that matters more than the headline quotas. Amazon EBS is block storage for EC2, so it fits attached disks for servers, databases, and workloads that need low-latency persistent volumes. Its free offer is an intro-tier bundle: 30 GB, 2 million I/O operations, and 1 GB of snapshot storage for 6 months, plus AWS credits, but it is not an always-free product. Backblaze B2 is object storage, so it is better for backups, archives, media, static assets, and application blobs. Its free tier is permanent, with 10 GB always free and usage-based overages. In practice, EBS is the better fit when you need a disk for compute. B2 is the better fit when you want durable storage that can stay on the free tier and scale cheaply afterward.
Amazon Elastic Block Store vs Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage free tier, side by side
| Amazon Elastic Block StoreFTV 35 | Backblaze B2 Cloud StorageFTV 35 | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage included on free tierEBS offer lasts 6 months; B2 storage is perpetual. | 30 GB | First 10GB always free |
| I/O or API calls includedDifferent units and pricing mechanics. | 2 million EBS I/O operations | Class A free; Class B and C free for first 2,500/day per class |
| Snapshot / archival storage includedB2 does not offer block snapshots because it is object storage. | 1 GB snapshot storage | No minimum storage duration fees; object storage only |
| EgressB2 charges $0.01 per GB beyond that threshold. | Not specified in the free tier input | Free egress up to 3x average monthly storage |
| Credit or trialB2 is perpetual free rather than credit-based. | Up to $200 in AWS Free Tier credits; free plan available for 6 months after account creation | No credit amount listed |
| Credit card required?ftv_no_cc_required is present and false for both, so a card is required. | false | false |
After you outgrow the free tier
Amazon EBS is usage-based with no fixed monthly price on the paid plan, so cost rises with provisioned GB, IOPS, throughput, snapshots, and FSR. Backblaze B2 is also usage-based, but its core storage rate is explicit at $6.95 per TB per month, with egress and some API calls treated separately; Overdrive costs more at $15 per TB per month, while B2 Reserve is custom annual capacity pricing. For typical small-team storage, B2 is usually cheaper and easier to predict. EBS only makes sense when you need block storage attached to AWS compute.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Amazon Elastic Block Store | Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage |
|---|---|---|
| 10 GB stored, light API usageEBS pricing is per provisioned block volume, not per stored object; exact cost needs the volume type and size. | ~$1/mo or more, depending on provisioned volume and snapshot use | Free (within tier) |
| 30 GB stored, modest backup workloadB2 has 10 GB always free, so 30 GB would be billable for 20 GB beyond the free allowance. | Free within the intro tier for 6 months, then usage-based | Free (within tier) |
| 1 TB stored, no unusual egressB2 storage pricing is explicit; EBS needs the provisioned GB and volume type to estimate. | Usage-based, varies by EBS volume type and attached features | $6.95/mo |
| 1 TB stored with 2 TB egress per monthB2 egress would remain free at this level if the 3x storage rule is not exceeded. | Usage-based, varies by EBS volume type and snapshot/IOPS needs | $6.95/mo plus egress likely free if within 3x average storage |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick Amazon Elastic Block Store when…
- You need a disk attached to an EC2 instance for a database, filesystem, or app server.
- You want gp2, gp3, st1, or sc1 block volumes rather than object storage.
- You are already in AWS and want to keep storage close to your compute workload.
- You expect to use the free offer only as a short intro period and can work within AWS credits.
Pick Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage when…
- You need always-free storage for backups, archives, or application files.
- You want S3-compatible object storage instead of block storage.
- You expect lots of read/write activity on stored objects and want simple usage-based billing.
- You are building a media, sync, or app-data workflow where egress and API calls matter.
- You want a free tier that does not expire after a few months.
Bottom line
For the most common builder use case, Backblaze B2 is the better free-tier choice because it stays free forever for small storage needs and its paid pricing is easy to understand. Amazon EBS is only the right pick if you specifically need block storage for AWS compute. If your goal is backup, archive, or app-file storage, B2 gives you more room to grow with less surprise. If your goal is a disk for EC2, EBS is the relevant product, but the free offer is temporary.
Read the full listings: Amazon Elastic Block Store and Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.