Quick answer
Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage - Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage wins for most builders who want a simple free storage tier with low-friction pay-as-you-go scaling, while Storj makes more sense if you want to trial a broader storage-plus-compute platform or need its paid archive/global storage options.
How the free tiers compare
These products look similar at first because both are S3-compatible storage offerings, but they diverge in how you start free and how you pay later. Backblaze B2 is the simpler storage-first option: it has a perpetual free 10 GB allowance, free API calls in the common cases, and pay-as-you-go storage with a clearly stated overage path. That makes it easier to use for backups, small apps, and early-stage projects that just need object storage without committing to a platform. Storj’s free access is framed as a trial across storage, Object Mount, and compute, so it is broader but less concrete on the free side. After free, Storj splits into more distinct products and pricing shapes, including archive, regional, global, and per-license Object Mount, which is useful if you know which access pattern you need but more complex if you do not.
Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage vs Storj free tier, side by side
| Backblaze B2 Cloud StorageFTV 35 | StorjFTV 52 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free storageStorj’s input does not specify a permanent free storage cap or trial length. | First 10GB always free | Free trial access; no fixed free quota stated |
| EgressBackblaze B2 has a usage-based overage rule; Storj varies by tier. | Free up to 3x average monthly storage; then $0.01/GB | Included on Regional and Global; Archive charges $0.02/GB |
| API calls / transactionsOnly compare what is explicit in the input. | Class A free; Class B and C free for first 2,500/day per class; Class D $0.004 per 10,000 calls | Not stated in the provided pricing details |
| Storage priceStorj has multiple storage tiers, so there is no single storage price. | $6.95/TB/month | Archive $6/TB/month; Regional $10/TB/month; Global $15/TB/month |
| Minimum object size / retentionBackblaze is more forgiving for tiny objects and short-lived data. | No minimum file size or storage duration fees | Regional and Global: 50 KB minimum object size; Archive: 100 KB minimum object size, 30-day minimum retention |
After you outgrow the free tier
Backblaze B2 uses usage-based pricing with a clear on-ramp: free 10 GB, then storage at $6.95/TB/month plus egress overages if you exceed the free allowance. Storj is also usage-based for storage, but it splits into several tiers and adds a separate per-seat Object Mount product. The cheapest clearly priced storage tier on Storj is Archive at $6/TB/month, but it adds $0.02/GB egress and retention constraints. For small builders, Backblaze is easier to predict; Storj can be cheaper for archive-heavy storage, but the total bill depends more on which tier you choose.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage | Storj |
|---|---|---|
| 10 GB stored, light API use, minimal egressStorj trial terms are not quantified in the input. | Free | Free trial access; ongoing price not stated in the provided free-tier details |
| 1 TB stored, 100 GB egress/monthStorj Archive is the closest explicit apples-to-apples storage price, but its egress is separate. | ~$6.95/mo plus any overage only if egress exceeds the 3x-storage free rule | $6/mo on Archive plus $2.00 egress if charged at $0.02/GB |
| 1 TB stored, egress-heavy workloadStorj’s included egress can matter if download traffic is high. | ~$6.95/mo if within the free egress allowance, otherwise $0.01/GB overage | $10/mo on Regional or $15/mo on Global, with egress included |
| 5 TB stored, 1 TB egress/monthThis is a pricing-shape comparison, not a guarantee of identical traffic economics. | ~$34.75/mo plus any overage only if egress exceeds the free allowance | $30/mo on Archive plus $20.00 egress, or $50/mo on Regional with egress included |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage when…
- You want a perpetual free storage allowance, not an unspecified trial.
- You are backing up a small project and may stay under 10 GB for a while.
- You want simple pay-as-you-go object storage with no minimum file size or storage duration fees.
- You expect occasional egress and want a clear free-egress rule up to 3x average monthly storage.
- You need S3-compatible storage without choosing between multiple storage tiers up front.
Pick Storj when…
- You want to test storage, Object Mount, and cloud compute together before committing.
- You already know you need archive storage at a stated $6/TB/month price point.
- You need global or U.S.-only storage placement as part of the product choice.
- You want Object Mount for a named-user workflow and can pay annually for it.
- You are comparing a broader platform with multiple paid storage layouts instead of a single general-purpose bucket service.
Bottom line
For most builders, Backblaze B2 is the easier free-tier choice because the free 10 GB is perpetual, the storage model is straightforward, and the overage rules are easy to understand. Storj is the better fit if you want to trial a broader platform or if your workload lines up with one of its specific paid tiers, especially archive or included-egress storage. If you are choosing a free tier to start small and avoid surprises, B2 is the safer default.
Read the full listings: Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage and Storj. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.