Wasabi Technologies vs Backblaze B2
psychology AI Verdict
This comparison highlights a fundamental divergence in cloud storage pricing models: the "pay for storage and retrieval" approach of Backblaze B2 versus the "predictable flat rate" model of Wasabi Technologies. Backblaze B2 excels as a pure storage repository, particularly for long-term backups and archival data where files are written once and rarely accessed, thanks to its industry-leading low storage costs and robust immutability features. In contrast, Wasabi Technologies distinguishes itself by eliminating the hidden costs of cloud storagespecifically egress and API request feeswhich makes it the superior choice for active workflows like media production and surveillance that require frequent data retrieval.
While Backblaze B2 offers a broader ecosystem through its Bandwidth Alliance and native backup clients, its transaction fees can accumulate unpredictably in high-traffic scenarios. Wasabi counterbalances a slightly higher storage price point with the simplicity of a bill that rarely fluctuates due to data movement, offering peace of mind for operational budgeting. Ultimately, the decision rests on access frequency; for "write once, read never" use cases, Backblaze B2 is the clear winner, but for "hot" data retrieval needs, Wasabi's architecture provides better value.
Given the broader scope of cloud computing needs and the sheer ubiquity of backup requirements, Backblaze B2 holds a slight edge in overall utility.
thumbs_up_down Pros & Cons
check_circle Pros
- Zero egress fees and no API request charges
- High-performance object storage with faster speeds than many competitors
- Predictable, flat-rate pricing simplifies budgeting
- Object Lock support for compliance and data protection
cancel Cons
- Minimum storage duration charge of 90 days applies to all data
- Slightly higher base storage cost compared to Backblaze B2
- Minimum monthly storage charge requirement (often 1TB) can deter small users
check_circle Pros
- Industry-lowest storage cost at $0.005/GB/month
- S3-compatible API allowing easy migration from AWS
- Strong ecosystem including the Bandwidth Alliance for free egress partners
- Excellent B2 Snapshot and Immutable Bucket features for ransomware protection
cancel Cons
- Charges for both egress ($0.01/GB) and API requests (Class B)
- Slower upload/download speeds compared to premium hot storage providers
- Transaction fees can make large-scale operations expensive
compare Feature Comparison
| Feature | Wasabi Technologies | Backblaze B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Pricing | $0.0059 per GB/month | $0.005 per GB/month |
| Egress Fees | $0.00 (Zero egress fees) | $0.01 per GB (Free with Bandwidth Alliance partners) |
| API Request Fees | No charges for API requests | Charges for Class A (upload) and Class B (download) transactions |
| Minimum Storage Duration | 90-day minimum retention enforced by policy | None (standard object storage) |
| Data Immutability | Object Lock (WORM/COMPLIANCE mode) | B2 Immutable Buckets (WORM state) |
| Lifecycle Management | All data is 'hot' (no cold tiers, simplifying management) | Lifecycle rules to move data to 'cold' tiers or delete |
payments Pricing
Wasabi Technologies
Backblaze B2
difference Key Differences
help When to Choose
- If you require frequent data retrieval without surprise costs
- If you need high-speed performance for media or active archives
- If you prefer a flat-rate billing model for easier financial forecasting
- If you prioritize the absolute lowest cost for long-term data archival
- If you need native computer backup clients integrated with the storage
- If you primarily store data and rarely download it