Head-to-head · Decentralized Storage Services
Pinata vs Stratos
Pinata leads on 0 checks, Stratos on 2, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scorePinata · 8.2/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresStratos · 3 of 4
Pinata scores higher on our rubric for decentralized storage services: 8.2 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.
On network type, Stratos gives you Hybrid where Pinata offers Distributed. Stratos offers desktop apps; Pinata doesn't publish it. Stratos offers mobile apps; Pinata doesn't publish it.
Pinata is the better fit for IPFS teams needing gateways and collaboration. Stratos is the better fit for users wanting broad-device decentralized storage access.
- Pinata fits best
IPFS teams needing gateways and collaboration
- Stratos fits best
Users wanting broad-device decentralized storage access
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Side by side
| Feature | Pinata 8.2/10 Visit ↗ | Stratos 8.1/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.2 | 8.1 |
| Ranking | #7 in Decentralized Storage Services | #8 in Decentralized Storage Services |
| Best for | IPFS teams needing gateways and collaboration | Users wanting broad-device decentralized storage access |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $20/mo | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Docs | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Pinata 1/4 · Stratos 3/4 | ||
| Client-side encryption | Not published | Not published |
| IPFS support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Desktop apps | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Mobile apps | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Free storage | 1 GB | Not published |
| Network type | Distributed | Hybrid |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Pinata is a managed IPFS storage and content delivery service for developers building NFT marketplaces, DeFi applications, indexers, and other applications that use decentralized content. It supports file uploads and pinning, IPFS gateway… Read the review → |
Stratos is a decentralized data infrastructure network for decentralized application developers, infrastructure providers, and organizations building Web3 services. Its storage layer supports file upload, download, listing, pinning,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Pinata — where it wins
- Free plan includes IPFS storage, gateway access, bandwidth, and requests
- Paid plans add dedicated gateways, CDN delivery, and larger storage
- APIs, webhooks, presigned URLs, and access controls support integrations
Where it doesn't
- Free storage is limited to 1GB
- Gateway and agent allocations vary by paid plan
- Enterprise pricing is tailored rather than publicly specified
Stratos — where it wins
- IPFS-compatible SPFS cluster and gateways
- Web, desktop, mobile, API, and self-hosted access
- Configurable replication with proof-based traffic accounting
Where it doesn't
- Free SPFS access has usage limitations
- Paid subscription amounts are not stated
- Blockchain settlement adds token-based operational complexity
- Pinata8.2/10 · Free plan · paid from $20/mo
A managed IPFS service with gateways, collaboration, and developer-focused delivery tools.
Visit PinataFull verdict → - Stratos8.1/10 · Free plan
A broad-access decentralized storage network with IPFS compatibility and token-based settlement.
Visit StratosFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update