If you’re looking for a reliable and easy solution for data storage, take a look at Unihost Object Storage — a modern S3-compatible storage service that can be used as an alternative to AWS S3.
What is Storage
“Storage” usually refers to file space where data is organized in folders and files — similar to a regular hard drive or network server.
This approach is convenient and familiar when dealing with small amounts of data, but as the project grows, it can become inefficient: the folder structure becomes complex, performance drops, and scaling requires more resources and administration.
What is S3
S3 (Simple Storage Service) is a model of object-based data storage.
Instead of traditional folders and files, it uses objects, each containing the file itself, metadata, and a unique identifier.
All objects are stored inside containers called buckets, which can be accessed directly via API or through compatible clients such as AWS CLI, rclone, or MinIO Client.
S3 storage scales easily, is not limited by the file system structure, and handles both small and massive data volumes equally well.
How S3 Differs from Regular Storage
The main difference lies in how the data is organized and accessed:
- In traditional storage, files are arranged in a hierarchical folder structure and accessed through the file system.
- In S3, data is stored as independent objects that can be accessed directly by unique keys.
This makes S3 a more reliable, flexible, and universal solution — ideal for cloud services, backups, multimedia files, and analytics data.
Two Ways to Use Unihost Object Storage
Unihost offers two approaches to Object Storage:
- Cloud Storage — a ready-to-use solution fully managed by our team. You can start using it immediately without worrying about infrastructure management.
- Self-hosted option — deploy MinIO on a Unihost VPS or Dedicated Server. This approach is perfect for those who want full control over their data and the ability to manage their own S3 buckets locally.
Why It’s Convenient
- Scales along with your project.
- Fully compatible with AWS S3 tools.
- Data is hosted in Europe and complies with GDPR.
- Easy to manage — create buckets, set permissions, and track usage effortlessly.
Who It’s For
- Companies that need reliable cloud storage without administration.
- Those who want to deploy their own S3-compatible solution and manage it locally.
Unihost Object Storage is a flexible alternative to AWS S3 — offering the same convenience and compatibility, but with transparent pricing and your choice between cloud or self-hosted infrastructure.