SeaweedFS vs AWS S3

Self-host swap-in for AWS S3. · Self-host AWS S3 · SeaweedFS on os-alt

SeaweedFS is one of the open-source self-host replacements for AWS S3 — license Apache-2.0, 15min docker-compose (master + volume + filer) to stand up, and $5-10 vps for small deployments; designed to scale to billions of small files cheaply. Compare against AWS S3's $0.023/GB/mo + egress; egress dominates the bill once you serve traffic from S3 below.

	SeaweedFSopen-source	AWS S3paid SaaS
Category	Object storage / blob store	Object storage / blob store
License / pricing	`Apache-2.0`	$0.023/GB/mo + egress; egress dominates the bill once you serve traffic from S3
Starting price	$0 self-host	$5/user/mo
GitHub	seaweedfs/seaweedfs ★ 32.3k · last commit todayalive	closed source
Setup time	15min docker-compose (master + volume + filer)	SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost	$5-10 VPS for small deployments; designed to scale to billions of small files cheaply.	from $5/user/mo ($0.023/GB/mo + egress; egress dominates the bill once you serve traffic from S3)

Switching from AWS S3 to SeaweedFS

Run a SeaweedFS S3 gateway (`weed s3`); it exposes an S3-compatible endpoint. Copy from S3 with `aws s3 sync s3://your-bucket s3://your-bucket --endpoint-url https://seaweed.example.com:8333` after configuring the destination credentials. App code points its SDK at the gateway URL.

Good fit for: Workloads with billions of small files (thumbnails, IoT events) where MinIO's per-object overhead bites.
Weak at: Operational surface is larger (master / volume / filer / S3 components); weaker GUI than MinIO.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to AWS S3

MinIO
AGPL-3.05min docker run$5 VPS for a few hundred GB; storage cost scales with the disk you attach (e.
Garage
AGPL-3.020min docker-compose for a 3-node cluster$15/mo for 3 small VPSes geographically spread; Garage is built for low-end, geo-distributed hardware.

In a terminal? npx os-alt aws-s3 prints AWS S3's self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is SeaweedFS a free alternative to AWS S3?

Yes — SeaweedFS is open source under Apache-2.0. Self-host cost: $5-10 VPS for small deployments; designed to scale to billions of small files cheaply.. AWS S3 starts at $5/user/mo ($0.023/GB/mo + egress; egress dominates the bill once you serve traffic from S3).

How long does SeaweedFS take to set up vs AWS S3?

Self-hosting SeaweedFS: 15min docker-compose (master + volume + filer). AWS S3 is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is SeaweedFS good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Workloads with billions of small files (thumbnails, IoT events) where MinIO's per-object overhead bites.. Weak at: Operational surface is larger (master / volume / filer / S3 components); weaker GUI than MinIO..