IPFS vs Arweave: Decentralized Storage

Permanent content IDs, not storage guarantees. IPFS uses a peer-to-peer network where files are identified by cryptographic hashes (CIDs). Data persists only while pinning nodes choose to host it. This is ideal for high-performance caching (e.g., NFT metadata via Pinata, Filecoin), content distribution (e.g., websites via Fleek), and temporary data sharing. It's a protocol, not a permanent storage service.

200+ year data permanence with a single upfront fee. Arweave's blockweave structure and endowment model guarantee long-term persistence. This is critical for archival data (e.g., historical records), permanent dApp frontends (e.g., permaweb apps), and protocol-critical data (e.g., Solana state snapshots via Bundlr). You pay once, and the protocol's endowment ensures miners are incentivized to store data forever.

Dynamic, frequently accessed, or cost-optimized content.

• NFT platforms (OpenSea, Rarible) for mutable metadata pointers.
• CDN replacement for static site hosting with Fleek or Cloudflare's IPFS Gateway.
• Data pipelines where temporary, verifiable caching is needed.
• Use cases requiring the Filecoin network for incentivized, provable storage deals.

Truly permanent, immutable, and protocol-critical data.

• Smart contract archives and audit trails.
• Permanent dApp frontends (Uniswap v2 frontend is on Arweave).
• Decentralized social media data permanence (e.g., Lens Protocol).
• Foundational data layers where deletion is not an option (e.g., KYB/KYC document storage).

Immutable, verifiable content IDs (CIDs): Data integrity is cryptographically guaranteed, making it ideal for NFT metadata and dApp frontends. Its modular, protocol-agnostic design enables seamless integration with Filecoin for persistence and libp2p for networking.

No inherent storage cost: You pay only for pinning services (e.g., Pinata, Infura) or Filecoin deals, allowing for flexible, usage-based budgeting. This is optimal for dynamic or frequently updated data where permanent storage is overkill.

Data is not permanently stored by default: Content availability depends on pinning nodes. Without incentivized persistence (like Filecoin), data can disappear, creating reliability risks for long-term archival or critical protocol state.

Pay once, store forever: A single upfront fee covers ~200 years of storage via the endowment model. This is decisive for permanent archives, smart contract data, and foundational protocol documentation where deletion is unacceptable.

Miners are rewarded for storing all data forever via block rewards, creating a robust, decentralized network for data permanence. This native incentive structure is superior for data-heavy protocols like Mirror.xyz or everlasting NFTs.

Higher upfront cost for large datasets: Not cost-effective for ephemeral or mutable data. Data updates are cumbersome, requiring new transactions, making it less suitable for highly dynamic applications or frequent state changes.

Decentralized content distribution: Uses a peer-to-peer network with CID-based addressing, making data immutable by hash. This is ideal for dynamic content like NFT metadata (e.g., OpenSea), dApp frontends, and CDN-like distribution via services like Cloudflare and Pinata. However, persistence is not guaranteed; data can be garbage-collected unless actively pinned.

Pay-as-you-go pinning: Operational costs are variable, based on storage duration and provider (e.g., Pinata, Filecoin, web3.storage). This suits ephemeral or frequently updated data and projects with uncertain long-term budgets. The ecosystem is vast, with deep integration into tools like Hardhat, The Graph, and ENS. The trade-off is ongoing cost management and pinning service reliance.

True data permanence: Pay a single, upfront fee for 200+ years of guaranteed storage, cryptographically enforced by the blockweave. This is critical for archival data, legal documents, and protocol history (e.g., Solana's state snapshots, Mirror's immutable blogs). The endowment model removes recurring cost headaches but requires higher initial capital.

On-chain computation with data: The SmartWeave paradigm allows lazy-evaluated smart contracts that interact directly with on-chain data, enabling decentralized social graphs (Permaswap) and verifiable backends. However, read performance is slower than IPFS+CDN combos. Best for applications where auditability and permanence trump sub-second latency, like DAO governance records.