Arweave vs Carbide Network
Arweave
arweave.orgCarbide Network
carbide.networkSide by side
| Figure | Arweave | Carbide Network |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $0.01/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 0 | 4 |
| Spec score · Decentralized Storage Services | 8.0 (#6) | 9.1 (#3) |
| API | The protocol is based on HTTP and can be accessed using existing HTTP clients, including Axios, Fetch, and Guzzle. | The discovery service exposes a versioned API for provider registration and search, marketplace quotes, and health checks. |
| Integrations | The docs list client integrations for Go, PHP, Scala, Java, C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, and NodeJS. | The developer docs describe settlement through Solana programs and USDC payments, and state that the discovery service can be self-hosted. |
| Pricing model | The Arweave protocol documentation says upload fees scale with uploaded data volume and a portion goes to the storage endowment. | The site says provider marketplace pricing starts at $0.002/GB and providers compete on price and quality. |
| Support | The developer guide recommends Discord and the GitHub Discussions board for mining questions and support. | The developer docs identify Telegram as the fastest way to reach a contributor and GitHub issues as an option for tracked work. |
Plans
Carbide Network
- Home providerFree
- Personal storageFree
- Professional providerFree
- Enterprise provider$0.01 a month
In their own words
Arweave
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.
Carbide Network
Carbide Network is a distributed storage service that links users’ files with independent providers. Its personal offering covers photos, documents and backups, with photo and video auto-sync, an encrypted vault, expiring share links and up to 10x redundancy. Files are encrypted on the user’s device with AES-256-GCM; the service describes its design as zero-knowledge. Encrypted chunks are spread among providers, and users choose between 1 and 10 copies. Users manage their private encryption keys, and Carbide says lost keys cannot be recovered. Business tools include role-based team workspaces, audit logs, retention policies and geographic redundancy across 30+ regions. Developers get API-first, S3-compatible storage, a versioned API and a Swift SDK. The service lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps, as well as API access. Personal storage is billed at $0.002/GB. The network is provided without warranties, and performance depends on the combined behavior of independent participants.