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💾 Storage Options: Where to Host Metadata

Compare IPFS, Arweave, and centralized hosting for metadata

Learn how NFT data is structured and stored

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💾 Storage Options: Where Should Your Metadata Live?

NFT metadata and assets need permanent storage. Your choice affects cost, permanence, speed, and decentralization. There is no perfect option - only trade-offs.

⛓️

On-Chain

Store metadata directly in smart contract

Cost10%
🌐

IPFS

Content-addressed distributed file system

Cost80%
🏛️

Arweave

Pay once, store forever blockchain

Cost60%
☁️

Centralized

AWS S3, your own server, CDN

Cost95%

🎚️ Interactive: Find Your Best Storage Solution

Adjust the sliders based on what matters most to your project. We will recommend the best storage option for your priorities.

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🔍 Detailed Comparison

On-Chain: Data lives in contract storage. Ultra-permanent but extremely expensive. Best for pure-text NFTs or critical data.
IPFS: Distributed file system. Content-addressed (hash = address). Requires pinning services. Standard for most projects.
Arweave: One-time payment for 200+ year storage. More expensive upfront, but guaranteed permanence. Great for high-value collections.
Centralized: AWS, Cloudflare, your server. Fast and cheap but can disappear. Only use for mutable/dynamic NFTs.

⚠️ Common Pitfalls

  • •Single IPFS node: If it goes down, your NFT breaks. Use pinning services.
  • •HTTP URLs: Company shuts down = broken NFTs. Always use decentralized storage.
  • •Uncompressed files: Huge images cost more to store and load slowly.
  • •No backup plan: Store metadata + images on multiple systems.

💡 Key Insight

IPFS is the industry standard for good reason: it balances cost, permanence, and decentralization. Use IPFS + a reliable pinning service (Pinata, NFT.Storage) for 99% of projects. Arweave if permanence is critical and you have budget. On-chain only for text-based NFTs. Never use pure HTTP URLs for production NFTs - they will eventually break.

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