Rackspace Cloud Files
What Rackspace Cloud Files is
Rackspace Cloud Files is paid, OpenStack-powered object storage for files and media, with global delivery through Akamai’s CDN. The browser-based Cloud Control Panel supports uploads and CDN distribution without code, while REST APIs and SDKs are available for PHP, Python, Java, Ruby, and C# .NET. Rackspace describes built-in redundancy, and Cyberduck and Transmit 5 are listed integrations. Clients authenticate with a Rackspace username and API key; requests use HTTPS, and session tokens expire after 24 hours. A single-request upload supports objects smaller than 5 GB, segmented uploads can handle larger files, and CDN delivery cannot serve files over 10 GB. Data is not encrypted at rest by default, though customers can encrypt it before upload. Containers cannot be nested. Pricing starts at $0.16 a month, with backup storage from $0.1563 per GB per month.
Who it suits
It suits organizations and developers needing Linux-accessible object storage, API tools, and CDN delivery. Buyers should account for paid pricing and the stated upload, encryption, and container limits.
What it does well
- OpenStack object storage with CDN delivery
- Browser control panel requires no coding
- REST APIs and multiple SDKs
- Built-in redundancy is described
- Supports snapshots and 1 TB maximum volume size
What to know first
- No free plan is listed
- Data is not encrypted at rest by default
- CDN cannot serve files over 10 GB
- Containers cannot be nested
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Files storage | Backup storage pricing starts at $0.1563 / GB per month; Cloud Backup states Cloud Files storage is billed at the same r · 5 GB maximum object size for a single-request upload | $0.16 a month |
| Pay-as-you-go Cloud Files with CDN | Usage-based; billed for storage and outgoing bandwidth used. · No total storage limit stated · CDN delivery has no per-request fee · CDN cannot serve files larger than 10 GB | On request |
As docs.rackspace.com lists them, read 21 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Cloud Files combines browser management, developer APIs, redundancy, and global CDN distribution for object storage. Its paid model, default encryption behavior, and file-delivery limits should guide deployment decisions.
Facts from Rackspace Cloud Files's own pages
- Authentication and transport
- Clients authenticate with a Rackspace username and API access key, and Cloud Files requests use HTTPS; session tokens expire after 24 hours. · docs.rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Business admin controls
- Yes · docs.rackspace.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Company history
- Rackspace says it helped create the managed hosting industry in 1998. · rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Container limit
- An account can have up to 500,000 containers, and performance may degrade when a container approaches one million objects. · docs.rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Control panel
- The browser-based Cloud Control Panel lets users upload files and distribute them through the CDN without writing code. · docs.rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Developer access
- Developers can use REST APIs and SDKs for PHP, Python, Java, Ruby, and C# .NET. · docs.rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Device platforms
- Linux · docs.rackspace.com, 21 Sept 2026
- File size limit
- 5 · docs.rackspace.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 1998 · docs.rackspace.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- San Antonio, Texas, United States · docs.rackspace.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Rackspace documentation describes managing Cloud Files with Cyberduck and Transmit 5, including CDN configuration. · docs.rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Large file limit
- The Control Panel supports uploads smaller than 5 GB, segmented uploads can handle larger files, and CDN delivery does not support files larger than 10 GB. · docs.rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Public access
- Objects become publicly readable when their container is published to the CDN; otherwise requests require authentication. · docs.rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Cloud Files is OpenStack-powered online storage for files and media that can be delivered globally over Akamai’s CDN. · docs.rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Redundancy
- Rackspace describes Cloud Files as providing built-in redundancy. · docs.rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Storage model
- Cloud Files is object storage rather than a traditional file system, and its containers cannot be nested. · docs.rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Stored data encryption
- Cloud Files does not encrypt data at rest by default; customers can encrypt data before sending it. · docs.rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Cloud Files FAQ lists email support Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM CST, and excludes code-related questions. · docs.rackspace.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- No · docs.rackspace.com, 21 Sept 2026
Where Rackspace Cloud Files stands on Freedom251
- Cloud storage#62 of 66
- Cloud Storage Services#64 of 64