Best Object Storage & File Uploads
Store and serve files, images, and uploads. Ranked by which tools AI agents actually pick when developers build — measured live across Claude, GPT, Gemini.
As of Jun 24, 2026, the object storage AI agents pick most is Amazon S3 at 28%, measured across Claude, GPT, Gemini.
| # | Tool | Pick Rate | Default Rate | Shortlist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon S3 | 28% [22%–36%] | 8% | 81% |
| 2 | Cloudflare R2 | 13% [9%–20%] | 42% | 28% |
| 3 | Backblaze B2 | 5% [3%–10%] | 20% | 26% |
| 4 | UploadThing | 3% [1%–7%] | 0% | 4% |
| 5 | Supabase Storage | 0% [0%–3%] | 0% | 3% |
What is object storage?
Object storage holds unstructured files — images, user uploads, backups — addressable by key and served over HTTP. Amazon S3 set the API standard, and most alternatives are S3-compatible, so the market competes on price (especially egress fees) and developer experience.
Almost every app stores files, and the bill is dominated by egress (bandwidth out), where providers diverge enormously. Upload developer experience matters too — handling multipart uploads, pre-signed URLs, and image delivery is real work that some providers abstract away.
How to choose
What separates the Object Storage options.
Bandwidth out is where the bill lives; some providers charge zero egress, others a lot.
An S3-compatible API lets you reuse existing tooling and SDKs and switch providers easily.
Pre-signed URLs, direct browser uploads, and ready-made widgets cut a lot of glue code.
If you already use a backend platform, its built-in storage can save a separate integration.
Best object storage for your use case
| If you need… | Reach for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The default, most integrations | Amazon S3 | The standard; everything is built to work with it. |
| Lowest egress cost | Cloudflare R2 / Backblaze B2 | Zero or low egress fees with S3-compatible APIs. |
| Bundled with Postgres | Supabase Storage | Storage tied into the Supabase backend you already use. |
| Simplest Next.js uploads | UploadThing | Upload DX built for React/Next, no S3 wiring. |
Object Storage: incumbents vs new entrants
Amazon S3 set the API standard; the competition is S3-compatible and competes on egress pricing and upload developer experience.
The object-storage standard everything is built around.
S3-compatible with zero egress fees.
Low-cost S3-compatible storage.
Object storage bundled with the Supabase stack.
Upload-DX layer built for React/Next.js.
Why AI agents decide this category
'Handle file uploads' sends an agent to S3 by reflex — or, for a new build, to a DX-first option that hides the S3 plumbing. The pick decides whether a team inherits S3's egress bill or a cheaper, simpler default they never reconsider.
Frequently asked questions
What is object storage?
Object storage holds files (images, uploads, backups) addressable by key and served over HTTP. Amazon S3 set the API standard; most alternatives are S3-compatible.
What's the best object storage for low egress fees?
Cloudflare R2 (zero egress) and Backblaze B2 (low cost) are the go-tos, both S3-compatible. The ranking above shows which AI agents pick.
How do I handle file uploads in Next.js?
Use pre-signed URLs to upload directly to object storage, or a DX layer like UploadThing or Supabase Storage that handles it for you. The ranking shows what agents reach for.
R2 vs S3 — what's the difference?
Both are object storage with S3-compatible APIs; R2 charges no egress fees, while S3 has the widest ecosystem and integrations. Choose by cost vs ecosystem.