Walrus

Overview

Walrus is a distributed platform for storing data and giving AI agents persistent memory across apps and sessions. It is best suited to developers building data-driven applications or agent workflows. Storage is billed by duration and expires when that term ends, while its file Console remains an invite-only beta.

Created by Mysten Labs, the team behind Sui, Walrus coordinates storage onchain through Sui. Its mix of programmable access controls and agent memory is compelling for builders already working with these technologies, but ongoing retention requires continued payment in WAL, with SUI needed for transaction gas.

Compare decentralized storage services if you are deciding whether a distributed platform suits your storage needs.

Key features

Distributed storage with a defined term

Walrus says its design can remain resilient even if two thirds of nodes fail, which may suit applications that need storage spread across a network. That resilience does not make files permanent: they expire when the paid storage duration runs out. Storage costs $0.023/GB/month, paid in WAL; SUI covers transaction gas. Each blob also has fixed metadata overhead, so large numbers of small files can be less economical. Walrus recommends batching them with Walrus Quilt.

Encrypted file storage, with a narrow beta

Walrus Console encrypts files client-side with Seal before upload and stores ciphertext; it does not see plaintext or decryption keys. That is a useful privacy boundary for file storage, but access is currently limited: Console is in a closed, invite-only Mainnet beta. Each space supports up to 5 GB and five folders, and uploads cannot exceed 100 MiB. Those constraints make it a poor choice for broad team rollout or larger individual files today.

Persistent memory for agents

Walrus Memory is designed to carry AI agents' memories across applications and sessions. It supports semantic remember and recall, automatic fact extraction, and answers generated from stored memories. Native MCP support, first-party plugins for OpenClaw and NemoClaw, and compatibility with major LLMs give builders several integration paths. TypeScript and Python SDKs, a relayer, smart contract, indexer, and dashboard support custom development.

Memory access is controlled by Sui smart contracts: owners can set programmable rules and grant scoped access to agents, users, or services. Memories are encrypted before storage and decrypted only when an authorized signed request retrieves them. This model gives owners control over access, though it is most relevant to developers prepared to build around the supplied components.

Pricing

Walrus combines metered storage pricing with a free launch-period memory plan. The storage rate is $0.023/GB/month, paid in WAL, with SUI required for transaction gas. Because stored data expires at the end of its paid duration, this rate buys a storage term rather than indefinite retention. The fixed metadata overhead on each blob also matters for workloads made up of many small files.

The free Memory plan is a low-cost way for developers to explore agent memory, but its usage limits and potential pricing changes make it a less certain basis for a long-term production budget. Storage charges are separate from this plan.

Platforms

Walrus supports API, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Its Memory developer kit includes TypeScript and Python SDKs, while the Console offers browser-based file access subject to beta availability and its space, folder, and upload caps.

Who it's for

Walrus is a good fit for developers who want distributed storage paired with agent memory, particularly those who need Sui-based ownership and scoped permissions. It is also worth considering for applications that can tolerate storage expiring unless its term is renewed. It is less suitable for people seeking permanent archival storage, a fully open file Console today, or an unrestricted consumer file-storage experience.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Memory supports semantic recall, automatic fact extraction, and grounded answers, making it more than a basic storage layer for agent builders.
• Pros: Sui smart contracts enable ownership rules and scoped delegation, while encrypted memories are decrypted only for authorized signed requests.
• Pros: Walrus cites resilience even if two thirds of nodes fail, a meaningful design claim for distributed storage workloads.
• Cons: Files expire when their paid storage duration ends, so sustained retention requires ongoing storage payment.
• Cons: Console access is invite-only in beta, with each space capped at 5 GB and five folders and uploads at 100 MiB.
• Cons: Storage uses WAL and transaction gas uses SUI, adding token requirements; fixed metadata overhead also penalizes many small blobs.

Alternatives

Sia is worth considering for readers who want a freemium, open-source storage project supported by the Sia Foundation and community donations.

Carbide Network may suit users comparing a home-provider setup or personal storage billed at $0.002/GB, rather than Walrus's $0.023/GB/month rate.

Peergos is an option for readers who prioritize a fully open-source platform, including its server, and reproducible builds.

Aleph Cloud (formerly Aleph.im) is another storage option for readers considering a free static-website hosting tier with IPFS distribution and basic bandwidth.

Datum Storage may fit users who want one free terabyte for the first year, with additional storage priced at $3.99 a month.

4EVERLAND is a web-based alternative with a free Standard tier that includes monthly IPFS storage, Arweave storage, build time, bandwidth, and RPC quotas.

BNB Greenfield is another distributed storage option, with separate storage and download quotas priced in BNB.

Filebase is worth comparing if you need a free API and web plan with 5 GB shared storage, 500 pinned files, 10 GB IPFS egress, free object egress, and one bucket.

Verdict

Choose Walrus if you are building applications or AI agents that need distributed storage alongside portable, permission-controlled memory. Its strongest case is the combination of agent features, encryption, and Sui-based access control. Look elsewhere if you need lasting storage without recurring payment or a broadly accessible file Console now: Walrus's expiry model and invite-only beta are substantial constraints.