Filecoin vs Lighthouse

Filecoin is a decentralized storage network where users pay independent providers to store data and retrieve it later. Proof of Replication verifies that a provider holds a distinct copy, while Proof of Spacetime verifies storage over time. Listed uses include Web3 apps, AI datasets, backups, archives, cultural records, and scientific datasets. The Filecoin Virtual Machine adds smart contracts for logic, automation, and applications built around storage. Filecoin Onchain Cloud lists verifiable storage and retrieval, programmable payments, and a Synapse TypeScript SDK. Integrations listed through other services include Snowflake and Apache Iceberg via Akave, and Nextcloud via CIDgravity. Plans vary: Filecoin Onchain Cloud is $2.50 a month, billed from $2.50 / TB / month with a two-copy minimum; Fil One is $4.99 a month, billed from $4.99 / TB / month. CIDgravity is $5 a month, billed from $5 / TB / month, with the first 2 GiB free. Lighthouse is $12 a month, billed from $12 / 500 GB / month, with the first 5 GB free. Fil One has a free trial. Lotus node installation supports Linux and macOS; Windows is not supported for that installation.

Lighthouse combines decentralized file storage with a long-term memory service for AI agents. Lighthouse Memory saves project context, preferences, and decisions for retrieval in later sessions, with remember, recall, and forget operations. Its batched engine supports local hybrid retrieval using embeddings alongside keyword or tag matching. Memories are documented as verifiable, content-addressed blobs, and the hosted backend exposes tools through the Model Context Protocol for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and other compatible agents. For files, Lighthouse uses IPFS and lists Filecoin and Walrus as storage networks; its web app supports storing, retrieving, and sharing files. Developers can use an SDK and CLI, while documented memory storage options include Lighthouse Walrus, Lighthouse IPFS/Filecoin, AWS S3, R2, MinIO, and a local folder. Plans include a free tier with 5 GB and 10,000 AI memories, Lite at $12 a month for 500 GB and 25,000 memories, and Premium at $49 a month for 2.5 TB and 100,000 memories. Encryption and other features are add-ons. Lighthouse cautions that forgetting a memory may not erase its stored blob, and content identifiers do not establish whether content is true.