Freedom251 › Decentralized Storage Services
Filecoin
What Filecoin is
Filecoin is a decentralized storage network that connects users with independent providers to store and retrieve data. Its verification model uses Proof of Replication to confirm a unique data copy and Proof of Spacetime to check that the copy remains stored over time. Listed uses span Web3 applications, AI datasets, backups, archives, cultural records, and scientific datasets. The Filecoin Virtual Machine adds smart-contract capabilities for application logic and automation tied to storage. Filecoin Onchain Cloud adds verifiable storage and retrieval, programmable payments, and a Synapse TypeScript SDK. Product offerings include Filecoin Onchain Cloud, Fil One, CIDgravity, Lighthouse, Aurora, Akave Cloud, and Ramo, with different storage terms and pricing. Fil One has a free trial, while CIDgravity and Lighthouse offer initial free storage allowances. Integrations listed include Snowflake and Apache Iceberg through Akave, and Nextcloud through CIDgravity. The community hub directs users to documentation, guides, APIs, tools, Slack, and Discord. Filecoin lists API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and web access; Lotus node installation is supported on Linux and macOS, but not Windows.
Who it suits
Filecoin may suit enterprises, developers, data lake and analytics teams, AI/ML developers, NFT projects, and creators. Its listed uses and programmable storage options fit projects that need to store or retrieve datasets, backups, archives, or application data.
What it does well
- Verifiable storage uses Proof of Replication and Proof of Spacetime.
- The Filecoin Virtual Machine supports logic, automation, and applications.
- Onchain Cloud includes verifiable retrieval and programmable payments.
- Akave lists Snowflake and Apache Iceberg support.
- CIDgravity lists a Nextcloud integration.
What to know first
- Filecoin Onchain Cloud requires a minimum of two copies.
- Lotus node installation does not support Windows.
- Some listed offerings use custom or enterprise pricing.
Limits
Filecoin Onchain Cloud has a two-copy minimum. CIDgravity includes its first 2 GiB free before its listed paid rate, and Lighthouse includes a first 5 GB free before its listed paid rate. Lotus node installation supports Linux and macOS, not Windows.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lighthouse | From$12 / 500 GB / month · First 5 GB free · Pay once, store forever pricing mode | $12 a month |
| Filecoin Onchain Cloud | From$2.50 / TB / month (minimum 2 copies) · Minimum 2 copies | $2.50 a month |
| Fil One | From$4.99 / TB / month · S3-compatible object storage for large datasets | $4.99 a month |
| CIDgravity | From$5 / TB / month · First 2 GiB free · Nextcloud storage backend | $5 a month |
| Aurora | Custom pricing · Enterprise-ready infrastructure for AI and HPC workloads | On request |
| Akave Cloud | Enterprise plans available · Data lakes, analytics and enterprise backups | On request |
| Ramo | Custom pricing · S3-compatible API · Developer SDK/CLI | On request |
As filecoin.io lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://www.filecoin.io/.
- Choose an offering such as Filecoin Onchain Cloud, Fil One, CIDgravity, Lighthouse, Aurora, Akave Cloud, or Ramo.
- Review that offering's storage price and terms; Filecoin Onchain Cloud requires at least two copies.
- Use Fil One's free trial or the initial free storage allowances listed for CIDgravity and Lighthouse, if appropriate.
- For Lotus node installation, use Linux or macOS.
Verdict
Choose Filecoin if your work needs decentralized storage with verification, programmable applications, or one of its listed storage integrations. Compare the specific offering terms before choosing: storage pricing and included free capacity vary, and Lotus node installation is limited to Linux and macOS.
Questions
What does Filecoin cost?
Filecoin Onchain Cloud is $2.50 a month, billed from $2.50 / TB / month with a two-copy minimum. Fil One is $4.99 a month, billed from $4.99 / TB / month; CIDgravity is $5 a month, billed from $5 / TB / month; Lighthouse is $12 a month, billed from $12 / 500 GB / month. Aurora, Akave Cloud, and Ramo have custom or enterprise pricing.
Is there free access?
Yes. Fil One has a free trial. CIDgravity lists its first 2 GiB free, and Lighthouse lists its first 5 GB free.
Which platforms are listed?
Filecoin lists API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and web. Lotus node installation supports Linux and macOS; Windows is not supported for that installation.
What integrations are listed?
Akave lists Snowflake and Apache Iceberg support, while CIDgravity lists Nextcloud integration.
Who makes Filecoin?
The Filecoin website is https://www.filecoin.io/. Its community hub points users to documentation, guides, APIs, tools, Slack, and Discord.
Facts from Filecoin's own pages
- Developer features
- Filecoin Onchain Cloud offers verifiable storage, retrieval, programmable payments, and a Synapse TypeScript SDK. · filecoin.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Free access
- The store page lists a free trial for Fil One and free initial storage allowances for CIDgravity and Lighthouse. · filecoin.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Akave lists Snowflake and Apache Iceberg support, while CIDgravity lists Nextcloud integration. · filecoin.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Platform limits
- The Lotus node installation documentation supports Linux and macOS and says Windows is not supported. · lotus.filecoin.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Programmability
- The Filecoin Virtual Machine provides a smart-contract layer for logic, automation, and applications on Filecoin storage. · filecoin.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- Filecoin’s published security page describes secure development practices, training, theory audits, external security research, and third-party audits. · spec.filecoin.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Filecoin community hub points users to documentation, guides, APIs, tools, and community channels including Slack and Discord. · filecoin.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- Filecoin storage is used for Web3 apps, AI datasets, backups, archives, cultural records, and scientific datasets. · filecoin.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Verification
- Proof of Replication verifies a unique copy of data and Proof of Spacetime verifies that it remains stored over time. · filecoin.io, 4 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Filecoin is a decentralized storage network where users can pay independent providers to store and retrieve data. · filecoin.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- The store page identifies enterprises, developers, data lake and analytics teams, AI/ML developers, NFT projects, and creators among its audiences. · filecoin.io, 4 Oct 2026
Where Filecoin stands on Freedom251
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