# IPFS comparisons

IPFS is a general-purpose file system that uses a distributed hash table (DHT) to route and transfer content-addressed data. This sets it apart from other solutions with a more specific focus or use of a specific data storage mechanism. For example:

  • BitTorrent (opens new window) is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing protocol that uses a centralized tracker to manage the distribution of files among peers. It focuses on file-sharing rather than file storage.

  • Storj (opens new window) and Sia (opens new window) are decentralized cloud storage platforms that use distributed networks of nodes for data storage. They focus on providing cloud storage services rather than a general-purpose distributed file system.

  • Arweave (opens new window) is a decentralized, permanent storage platform that uses a novel data structure called a "blockweave" for data storage. It focuses on providing permanent storage rather than a file-sharing system.

  • Filecoin (opens new window) is a decentralized storage network that allows users to rent out disk space. It focuses on providing a decentralized storage marketplace. It uses a proof-of-replication consensus mechanism and supports payment in various cryptocurrencies.

    Filecoin is built on IPFS and uses the IPFS network for data storage and retrieval. Filecoin and IPFS are complementary technologies providing decentralized and efficient storage solutions.

  • Hypercore (opens new window) is a decentralized data-sharing tool that uses a distributed hash table (DHT) for data storage. It focuses on enabling data sharing and collaboration.

  • Holo (opens new window) is a decentralized hosting platform that uses a unique data storage and sharing mechanism called Holochain. It allows users to host and run web-based applications on a peer-to-peer network.

  • Swarm (opens new window) is a decentralized storage and sharing platform built on the Ethereum blockchain. It uses smart contracts and cryptographic techniques to securely store and share data. It focuses on providing a decentralized, secure, and censorship-resistant storage solution.

# Comparing the key features of other solutions to IPFS

The following tables outline key features of different mechanisms and how they compare to IPFS.

All of these solutions use content-based addressing.

# General protocols

technology storage mechanism data model networking stack identifier address composition links use cases similarity to IPFS hashing algorithm
bittorrent (opens new window) P2P file-sharing merkle DAG TCP/IP torrent file filename + sha1 hash - file sharing low SHA-256
hypercore (opens new window) decentralized data-sharing merkle DAG UDP dat key dat key dat://{key} decentralized data sharing medium SHA-256
git (opens new window) version control commit history TCP/IP commit hash commit hash - version control medium SHA-1, SHA-256
Secure Scuttlebutt (SSB) (opens new window) decentralized social network append-only log Scuttlebutt Protocol feed id feed id ssb://{feed id} decentralized social networking high SHA-256

# Crypto-economic networks

technology storage mechanism data model consensus mechanism networking stack identifier address composition use cases similarity to IPFS
filecoin (opens new window) blockchain-based storage merkle DAG proof-of-replication libp2p cid cid decentralized data storage high
storj (opens new window) decentralized storage erasure coding proof-of-retrievability UDP farmer ID farmer ID + file metadata encrypted cloud storage medium
Holo (opens new window) decentralized application distributed hash table distributed hash table actor model agent ID agent ID decentralized applications medium
Swarm (opens new window) decentralized storage distributed hash table proof-of-custody libp2p chunk ID chunk ID decentralized data storage high
sia (opens new window) decentralized storage erasure coding proof-of-work UDP sector ID sector ID + file metadata encrypted cloud storage medium
arweave (opens new window) blockchain-based storage blockweave proof-of-access TCP/IP block ID block ID permanent data archiving low