Decentralized Cloud Storage: Is it worth it?

[Abiky]

I've stumbled across many decentralized cloud storage platforms like Storj, Sia, Swarm (ETH blockchain), and IPFS. They seem to serve their purpose well, providing an "alternative" to existing cloud storage services which are utterly centralized. Technically speaking, everything is "reds and roses". But as far as mainstream adoption goes, decentralized cloud storage solutions are "left behind in the dust". Since you'd need to use a token or cryptocurrency for most decentralized cloud storage platforms, you're exposed to volatility risks. It's not the same paying for cloud storage with a volatile cryptocurrency than with Fiat. Maybe stablecoins will prove to be useful for both the "renter" and the "user"?

Of course, storage platforms like Sia and Storj are often much cheaper than their centralized counterparts. But for some reason, people seem to trust services like Dropbox, AWS, and Google Drive more than these projects. I'm starting to wonder if decentralized cloud storage will prove to be successful in the long run, or simply an idea that will fade into oblivion.

Do you think decentralized cloud storage platforms are worth it? Will centralized cloud storage services continue to reign supreme in the digital world? If not, why? Your input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

[mu_enrico]

Google drive et al. is not just cheap, but free (with the expense of the user's soul ofc)! I think what we need is not about centralized/decentralized, but about secure distributed cloud storage with encryption, so the server cannot see and steal user's data, and they have multiple back-ups.

The token economy, however, is more about the ecosystem where users can earn money (token) from providing storage. It's like they (google et al. vs sia et al.) have different market.

[Byakuga]

They won't do so well, it's the least use case we need in crypto space presently because there are two many options available right under our palms, we have Google drive and others, building a project based only on decentralized cloud storage won't see good demands because of too many options available and for free

[Kvalentine]

Too many free cloud storage services are available today, even on Android smartphones and IOS, I invested in an ICO project years back that had partnership with Microsoft, it's cloud based storage project but till date it's not doing so well and even they hardly raised soft cap target in ICO

[alicea]

Yes if you deal with really sensitive data then I think the idea of decentralized storage is really good because decentralized storage network are less prone to a data breach. They are more secure IMO

[Doranile432]

Decentralized cloud storage is a good idea and it's been in existence for so long now, I won't advice a dev to build a new project base only on this use case alone because there are already too many competitors available in crypto space e.g storj for example

[Doranile432]

I've stumbled across many decentralized cloud storage platforms like Storj, Sia, Swarm (ETH blockchain), and IPFS. They seem to serve their purpose well, providing an "alternative" to existing cloud storage services which are utterly centralized. Technically speaking, everything is "reds and roses". But as far as mainstream adoption goes, decentralized cloud storage solutions are "left behind in the dust". Since you'd need to use a token or cryptocurrency for most decentralized cloud storage platforms, you're exposed to volatility risks. It's not the same paying for cloud storage with a volatile cryptocurrency than with Fiat. Maybe stablecoins will prove to be useful for both the "renter" and the "user"?

Of course, storage platforms like Sia and Storj are often much cheaper than their centralized counterparts. But for some reason, people seem to trust services like Dropbox, AWS, and Google Drive more than these projects. I'm starting to wonder if decentralized cloud storage will prove to be successful in the long run, or simply an idea that will fade into oblivion.

Do you think decentralized cloud storage platforms are worth it? Will centralized cloud storage services continue to reign supreme in the digital world? If not, why? Your input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

If I have to compare Dropbox and Google Drive services with that of any crypto cloud storage projects it's certain that Dropbox and Google Drive will win because too many people at using these centralized cloud storage more than any crypto cloud storage platforms

[Tipstar]

Decentralized cloud is one of the most effective way of using blockchain technology. We've been using torrents for quite a time now and we know how it works. All we need is incentive for seeders and encryption of data for clients. If you can just use you space and bandwidth to generate passive income, a lot of people would jump in and as we have a lot of people seeding the same thing, we could achieve larger speed than SSD storage just from mass using HDD.

[jessyj48]

Decentralized cloud is one of the most effective way of using blockchain technology. We've been using torrents for quite a time now and we know how it works. All we need is incentive for seeders and encryption of data for clients. If you can just use you space and bandwidth to generate passive income, a lot of people would jump in and as we have a lot of people seeding the same thing, we could achieve larger speed than SSD storage just from mass using HDD.

If this use case is that great sia coin and storj should be on top 10 right now don't you think? Decentralized cloud storage isn't bad at all but many other free options are available already, it's same think happening to VPN based crypto projects when we already have free VPN services on Android that can be downloaded from playstore

[tsaroz]

One of the reason why such projects are not working is due to their lack of exposure. People when spend money for storage, they'd want it to be safe and secure. In the hands of those who would be here for eternity. They won't be easily trusting a new project that have come up with some plans even though they are cheaper than other options. So, for it to work, these decentralize storage also need to provide some free storage to test out and maybe come up with a variety of other ways of making money to keep the business afloat.

[bittraffic]

They've been around for years but I haven't invested to these projects, the price of Storj and Sia had somehow grow already over the years.  

Google could allowed webhosting files which means your wordpress website files are on to them and if these decentralize cloud storage can also do this they may really win the hearts of crpto bloggers who are just starting.

[Dariusburst]

As for me I will choose Google drive cloud storage over any crypto cloud storage projects, why? It's just too damn easy for me, I guess it's same thing for many people too, this use case shouldn't be all what a crypto project would have, it should just be a part feature of the project

[Ucy]

Maybe renters could simply adjust the price of storages to certain prices fixed in stablecoins or some stable assets... that will probably mean combining  volatile tokens/coins with stablecoins... and you'll even then have multiple cryptos the users/customers can choose from.
 You could also just encourage many quality renters to contribute lots storages in order to keep driving down the price via competition, even as the price of cryptocurrency goes up. I think it should be very easy, attractive, fast and safe for renters with many kinds of devices (both small & large) to rent out their storages for this to be possible. You could attract them in different kinds of ways they would find hard to resist.

[minairia3]

Too many free cloud storage services are available today, even on Android smartphones and IOS, I invested in an ICO project years back that had partnership with Microsoft, it's cloud based storage project but till date it's not doing so well and even they hardly raised soft cap target in ICO

I think not appealing for me too. Google storage cloud is enough for me. But what amaze me are those projects are working on a decentralized aspect where Google Drive does not.

Also crypto and non crypto will probably picking it over thousands of new storage ICO project since they used to it already. No offense to those who have those tokens that OP mentioned but in terms of use case, I dont understand how this works for them in the long run.

Also there no solid markets for this unlike Google that have plenty of clients.

[Greatdev]

It's something that files fm project tried to do in 2019 I think and they failed big time, upon all the big partnerships they failed to gain the attention of big and better investors, I have some big free cloud storage on files fm website just like many others but no one uses them, they are free but no single person uses his or her free storages

[ethereumhunter]

Do you think decentralized cloud storage platforms are worth it? Will centralized cloud storage services continue to reign supreme in the digital world? If not, why? Your input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Maybe now it's not too worth, but we don't know what will happen in the future. If many people use cloud storage services, that will be the chance for the cloud storage providers to rise. But with many leaked data that has been stolen from the cloud storage, I think people will think twice to use the cloud storage, but I don't know. If you want to get more storage, you need to pay to the provider such as Dropbox or Google Drive, which is not cheaper than we think.

[JHORN]

Decentralized cloud storage isn't a demanding use case in crypto space today, there are better options available for people's need, I can use Google drive through my Android smartphone or even Drop box, they are easier because they come pre installed in Android phones

[Reid]

First, with google drive I will just need to create a pile of accounts then I will have like a 150gb hard drive already.
That's the difference.
It's free and you will just need to list the account names and passwords in a piece of paper.
Some may say it's a lot of work but for just an average user it is useful and better since its free.

Decentralized cloud storage. I think this will work in companies only.
Maybe they are just on the wrong target. It might work out that way if explained well.

[aprilnot]

when compared to cloud storage like google drive or dropbox, decentralized cloud storage is much more expensive. we have to pay for every time you want to save a file, it is very ineffective compared to current technology where someone only has to pay to add storage. but if for alternative decentralized cloud storage options it's still worth it.

[mezzaluna]

From my point of view, Cloud Storage is gonna be one of the big things that will be focused on. The opportunities revolving around Decentralized Cloud Storage will be big since lot incoming projects will surely need trusted and secured available storage. It is also possible that once they start recognizing the value of these Decentralized Cloud Storage, they will create their own or host their own.