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Arweave

arweave.org

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Spec score 8.0 #6 of 25 in Decentralized Storage Services

What it is

Arweave is a decentralized network for permanent information storage in an open ledger, with a permanent web built on that storage. Its stated uses include preserving important data and hosting decentralized web apps; people can upload files or create a homepage on the permaweb. Transaction fees are set dynamically by the network, and the documentation recommends checking the price endpoint close to submission. The HTTP-based protocol works with existing clients such as Axios, Fetch, and Guzzle. Listed client integrations cover Go, PHP, Scala, Java, C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, and NodeJS. Node software can be installed from pre-built binaries or built from source; documented roles include solo, coordinated, and pool mining, VDF server, and validator. Arweave describes content as timestamped and tamper-proof through the blockweave, with data integrity checks using transaction data in block hashes and recall blocks. Once one or more miners store data, there is no guaranteed way to delete it, and the policy advises against storing cleartext personal or confidential information. Wallets store private keys; lost key files cannot be recovered by wallet providers.

Spec sheet

What it does
Arweave describes its network as permanent information storage and a permanent, decentralized web inside an open ledger.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arweave.org
API
The protocol is based on HTTP and can be accessed using existing HTTP clients, including Axios, Fetch, and Guzzle.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.org
Integrations
The docs list client integrations for Go, PHP, Scala, Java, C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, and NodeJS.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.org
Support
The developer guide recommends Discord and the GitHub Discussions board for mining questions and support.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.org
API access
The ar.io API reference lists data access, ArNS resolution, network information, and transaction management endpoints for its gateway.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.net
Browser support
The ar.io SDK documentation says its SDKs are available for Node.js and browser environments, with TypeScript support.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.net
Consensus and storage proofs
The protocol documentation describes a decentralized consensus mechanism adapted for permanent storage and Succinct Proofs of Random Access to verify data access.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Data access
The ar.io documentation says its gateway retrieves Arweave data, caches and indexes it, resolves ArNS names, and exposes HTTP interfaces.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.ar.io
Data permanence caveat
The legal policy says that once data has been stored by one or more miners, there is no guaranteed way to delete it, and advises against storing cleartext personal or confidential information.Read 4 Oct 2026 · arweave.org
Developer tools
The ar.io SDK documentation lists the Turbo SDK for uploads, the ar.io SDK for its protocols and services, and the Wayfinder SDK for decentralized data access.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.net
Dynamic pricing
Transaction fees are determined dynamically by the network, and the docs advise checking the price endpoint near submission time.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.org
Gateway distinction
The ar.io documentation says gateways make Arweave data easier to access, while Arweave provides permanent storage and data availability.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.ar.io
Intended audience
The ar.io developer documentation describes resources for building applications, uploading and accessing data, and operating gateway infrastructure.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.net
Maker and registered office
The legal policy identifies Minimum Spanning Technologies Limited and gives an address in London, United Kingdom.Read 4 Oct 2026 · arweave.org
Network model
The site says the Arweave ecosystem is fully decentralized.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arweave.org
Network verification
The Yellow Paper says stored content is timestamped and tamper-proof through the blockweave, with data integrity checked through transaction data in block hashes and recall blocks.Read 4 Oct 2026 · arweave.org
Node roles
The developer guide describes solo mining, coordinated mining, pool mining, VDF server, and validator node types.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.org
Node software
Node software can be installed from pre-built binaries or built from source.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.org
Open source
The ar.io API reference says its services follow open source principles and repositories are available under AGPL-3 licenses.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.net
Pricing model
The Arweave protocol documentation says upload fees scale with uploaded data volume and a portion goes to the storage endowment.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Storage endowment
The protocol documentation says uploaders contribute AR to a storage endowment that pays miners over time for proofs of replication.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Upload and publish
The Use page invites people to upload a file or make a homepage on the permaweb.Read 4 Oct 2026 · arweave.org
Use cases
The site says permanent storage can preserve important data and host decentralized web apps.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arweave.org
Wallet availability
Arweave.app is an open-source web wallet and browser add-on for Chrome-like browsers and Firefox; Wander is a mobile wallet and Chromium browser extension.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.org
Wallet security
Wallets store private keys and provide an interface for dApps to request approval to sign transactions and data; the docs warn that lost key files cannot be recovered by the wallet providers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.arweave.org
What it is
Arweave describes its network as permanent, decentralized information storage in an open ledger.Read 4 Oct 2026 · arweave.org

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • HTTP protocol works with existing clients
  • Client integrations cover multiple languages
  • Node software is available as binaries or source
  • Gateway tools provide data access and ArNS resolution

Limits

  • Transaction fees vary dynamically
  • Stored data has no guaranteed deletion method
  • Lost wallet key files cannot be recovered

Who it suits

Arweave is for people building decentralized applications, uploading data, or operating gateway infrastructure. Its developer documentation includes resources for accessing data and running network infrastructure.

Verdict

Arweave pairs permanent storage with tools for application developers and node operators. Consider the permanence and wallet-key caveats before storing data or managing transactions.

Where Specifiction places it

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