FileShot vs Storj: File Sharing vs Cloud Storage
— Written by Brendan, Founder of FileShot.io
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Storj | FileShot |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Decentralized cloud storage (S3 API) | Encrypted file sharing |
| Free Storage | 25 GB | 50 GB (10 GB per file) |
| Encryption | Yes (client-side by default) | Yes (AES-256-GCM, zero-knowledge) |
| Key Management | API keys / access grants | URL fragment (server never sees key) |
| Bandwidth Charges | $7/TB/mo egress | None |
| Storage Pricing | $4/TB/mo | Free unlimited, or $2-$12/mo for premium |
| Sharing UX | API-oriented, requires setup | Drag-and-drop, instant link |
| Password Protection | Via access grants (technical) | Yes (simple UI toggle) |
| Expiration Control | Via access grants | 1 day to unlimited |
| Built-in Tools | None (storage API only) | PDF editor, converter, compressor, metadata scrubber, virus scanner, and more |
| Desktop App | CLI tool (uplink) | Windows, macOS, Linux (GUI) |
| Target Audience | Developers, DevOps, enterprises | Everyone (individuals, teams, businesses) |
What Is Storj?
Storj is a decentralized cloud storage platform. Data is encrypted client-side, split into pieces using erasure coding, and distributed across a global network of independent storage nodes. It offers an S3-compatible API, making it a drop-in replacement for Amazon S3 in many applications. Storj provides 25 GB of free storage and charges $4/TB/month for storage plus $7/TB/month for bandwidth (egress).
Different Products, Different Goals
Storj and FileShot are fundamentally different products. Storj is infrastructure — a storage backend for developers building applications. It is designed to be accessed via API, CLI tools, or S3-compatible integrations. The typical Storj user is a developer or DevOps engineer storing backups, media assets, or application data.
FileShot is designed for file sharing. The typical FileShot user is anyone who needs to send a file securely: a professional sharing a contract, a designer sending assets, a student submitting work, or anyone who values privacy. Open the browser, drag a file, get an encrypted link. No API keys, no CLI, no bucket configuration.
Encryption Approaches
Both Storj and FileShot encrypt data client-side before upload. Storj uses a system of access grants and encryption passphrases managed through their API or console. The encryption is strong, but key management requires understanding access grants, API tokens, and bucket-level encryption paths.
FileShot's approach is simpler: AES-256-GCM encryption happens automatically in the browser. The decryption key is embedded in the URL fragment (the part after the # symbol), which browsers never send to the server. No key management, no API tokens, no configuration. Share the link, and the recipient can decrypt. The server never sees the key.
Pricing: Bandwidth Changes Everything
Storj's pricing looks affordable at $4/TB/month for storage, but bandwidth (egress) costs $7/TB/month. If you store 100 GB and share it with 10 people who each download the full set, that is 1 TB of egress — $7 in bandwidth alone. For file sharing use cases where files are downloaded multiple times, bandwidth costs can exceed storage costs quickly.
FileShot has no bandwidth charges. The free tier has no storage limit. Paid plans ($2/month Lite, $5/month Pro, $12/month Creator) are flat-rate with no per-TB calculations. For file sharing, where the whole point is that people download your files, the absence of egress fees makes a significant difference.
User Experience
Storj requires creating an account, creating a bucket, configuring access grants, and either using the web console, the uplink CLI tool, or integrating via S3-compatible APIs. Sharing a file requires generating a restricted access grant or a shared link through their console. This is powerful for developers but complex for anyone who just wants to send a file.
FileShot works in any browser. Drag a file onto the page, set an optional password and expiration, and get an encrypted link. The entire process takes seconds. QR code sharing, virus scanning, and the full tool suite (PDF editor, file converter, image compressor, metadata scrubber) are all built in.
Who Should Choose FileShot?
If you need S3-compatible decentralized object storage for application backends, Storj is a strong choice. If you need to share files securely with other people — with zero-knowledge encryption, password protection, expiration control, no bandwidth fees, and a drag-and-drop interface — FileShot is built specifically for that purpose.
For secure, private file sharing with zero-knowledge encryption, try FileShot free or explore our plans.