|
| 1 | +--- |
| 2 | +title: 'IPFS Comparisons' |
| 3 | +description: Comparing IPFS to other solutions. |
| 4 | +--- |
| 5 | + |
| 6 | +# IPFS Comparisons |
| 7 | + |
| 8 | +## How is IPFS different from other solutions? |
| 9 | + |
| 10 | +IPFS is a general-purpose file system that uses a distributed hash table (DHT) to route and transfer content-addressed data. This sets it apart from other solutions with a more specific focus or use of a specific data storage mechanism. For example: |
| 11 | + |
| 12 | +- [BitTorrent](https://www.bittorrent.com/) is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing protocol that uses a centralized tracker to manage the distribution of files among peers. It focuses on file-sharing rather than file storage. |
| 13 | +- [Storj](https://storj.io/) and [Sia](https://sia.tech/) are decentralized cloud storage platforms that use distributed networks of nodes for data storage. They focus on providing cloud storage services rather than a general-purpose distributed file system. |
| 14 | +- [Arweave](https://www.arweave.org/) is a decentralized, permanent storage platform that uses a novel data structure called a "blockweave" for data storage. It focuses on providing permanent storage rather than a file-sharing system. |
| 15 | +- [Filecoin](https://filecoin.io/) is a decentralized storage network that allows users to rent out disk space. It focuses on providing a decentralized storage marketplace. It uses a proof-of-replication consensus mechanism and supports payment in various cryptocurrencies. |
| 16 | + |
| 17 | + :::callout |
| 18 | + Filecoin is built on IPFS and uses the IPFS network for data storage and retrieval. Filecoin and IPFS are complementary technologies providing decentralized and efficient storage solutions. |
| 19 | + ::: |
| 20 | + |
| 21 | +- [Hypercore](https://hypercore-protocol.org/) is a decentralized data-sharing tool that uses a distributed hash table (DHT) for data storage. It focuses on enabling data sharing and collaboration. |
| 22 | +- [Holo](https://holochain.org/) is a decentralized hosting platform that uses a unique data storage and sharing mechanism called Holochain. It allows users to host and run web-based applications on a peer-to-peer network. |
| 23 | +- [Swarm](https://swarm-gateways.net/bzz:/theswarm.eth/) is a decentralized storage and sharing platform built on the Ethereum blockchain. It uses smart contracts and cryptographic techniques to securely store and share data. It focuses on providing a decentralized, secure, and censorship-resistant storage solution. |
| 24 | + |
| 25 | +## Comparing the key features of other solutions to IPFS |
| 26 | + |
| 27 | +The following tables outline key features of different mechanisms and how they compare to IPFS. |
| 28 | + |
| 29 | +:::callout |
| 30 | +All of these solutions use content-based addressing. |
| 31 | +:::: |
| 32 | + |
| 33 | +### General protocols |
| 34 | + |
| 35 | +| technology | storage mechanism | data model | networking stack | identifier | address composition | links | use cases | similarity to IPFS | hashing algorithm | |
| 36 | +| --------------------- | ------------------------- | --------------------- | ---------------- | ------------------- | ------------------- | ---------------------- | -------------------- | ------------------ | --------------------- | |
| 37 | +| [bittorrent](https://www.bittorrent.com/protocols/bittorrent-rfc.html) | P2P file-sharing | merkle DAG | TCP/IP | torrent file | filename + sha1 hash | - | file sharing | low | SHA-256 | |
| 38 | +| [hypercore](https://hypercore-protocol.org/guides/) | decentralized data-sharing| merkle DAG | UDP | dat key | dat key | dat://{key} | decentralized data sharing| medium | SHA-256 | |
| 39 | +| [git](https://git-scm.com/) | version control| commit history | TCP/IP | commit hash | commit hash | - | version control | medium | SHA-1, SHA-256 | |
| 40 | +| [Secure Scuttlebutt (SSB)](https://ssbc.github.io/scuttlebutt-protocol-guide/) | decentralized social network | append-only log | Scuttlebutt Protocol | feed id | feed id | ssb://{feed id} | decentralized social networking| high | SHA-256 | |
| 41 | + |
| 42 | +### Crypto-economic networks |
| 43 | + |
| 44 | +| technology | storage mechanism | data model | consensus mechanism | networking stack | identifier | address composition | use cases | similarity to IPFS | |
| 45 | +| --------------------- | ------------------------- | --------------------- | --------------------------- | ---------------- | ------------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------ | |
| 46 | +| [filecoin](https://filecoin.io/docs) | blockchain-based storage | merkle DAG | proof-of-replication | libp2p | cid | cid | decentralized data storage | high | |
| 47 | +| [storj](https://storj.io/docs/) | decentralized storage | erasure coding | proof-of-retrievability | UDP | farmer ID | farmer ID + file metadata | encrypted cloud storage | medium | |
| 48 | +| [Holo](https://developer.holochain.org/docs/) | decentralized application | distributed hash table | distributed hash table | actor model | agent ID | agent ID | decentralized applications | medium | |
| 49 | +| [Swarm](https://swarm-guide.readthedocs.io/) | decentralized storage | distributed hash table | proof-of-custody | libp2p | chunk ID | chunk ID | decentralized data storage | high | |
| 50 | +| [sia](https://sia.tech/docs/) | decentralized storage | erasure coding | proof-of-work | UDP | sector ID | sector ID + file metadata | encrypted cloud storage | medium | |
| 51 | +| [arweave](https://www.arweave.org/docs) | blockchain-based storage | blockweave | proof-of-access | TCP/IP | block ID | block ID | permanent data archiving | low | |
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