Overview

Stratos is a decentralized infrastructure network for blockchain and Dapp developers who want to deploy code and data across storage, computing and network services. Its breadth is appealing, but using its storage and APIs means working with access tokens and tier-based limits.

The network brings blockchain, decentralized storage, databases and computing under one umbrella. Stratos also positions its 2.0 environment for deploying and commanding AI agents, built on Stratos OS.

Key features

Network services and incentives

Developers can deploy, store and execute code and data on Stratos infrastructure. Its value, resource and meta-service layers use Proof-of-Stake, Proof-of-Traffic and Proof-of-Authority respectively. Proof-of-Traffic rewards participants for their contributions to network traffic; STOS is also used for staking or delegation, mining rewards, transaction fees and prepaying for resource-network services. That range gives the network a coherent internal incentive and payment model, but makes STOS part of the operating picture for users engaging with those services.

SPFS storage

Stratos IPFS (SPFS) is a Stratos-maintained IPFS cluster backed by decentralized storage for persistent data. Its API and WebUI instructions cover uploading, fetching, pinning, unpinning and sharing files, and its guide points to the IPFS Kubo RPC API for RPC details. A private access token gives exclusive access to personal storage; data stays inaccessible to others unless explicitly shared. The token is free within usage limits, which can be expanded by subscription. This is a useful privacy boundary, though teams should account for the token and possible subscription as usage grows.

Computing, databases and APIs

Stratos describes its computing service as an edge network with low latency and a Trusted Execution Environment. Its decentralized database is designed for high availability without a fixed schema, ongoing maintenance or a single point of failure. Those are broad service goals rather than a substitute for checking fit against a particular workload. The mainnet provides RPC, REST and gRPC endpoints plus a block explorer. API requests require a Gateway Access Token, and rate and traffic limits depend on the access tier.

Pricing

Stratos uses a freemium model with a free plan. The SPFS private access token costs nothing but has usage limitations; a subscription can expand them. Gateway API access also depends on an access tier, with rate and traffic limits set accordingly. The practical trade-off is straightforward: free access lets developers explore SPFS, but sustained storage or API use may require a paid tier.

Platforms

Stratos is available across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web, API and self-hosted environments. For node operators, it supplies a precompiled full-chain binary for Ubuntu 18.04 or newer on amd64; other systems can use source compilation. The range suits developers and operators working across different environments, though the binary path is specifically described for Ubuntu on amd64.

Who it's for

Stratos is best suited to blockchain and Dapp developers who want storage, compute, database and network services within one decentralized infrastructure ecosystem. Its documented SPFS file operations and multiple network API types offer concrete starting points. Readers seeking a straightforward storage-only service, or who do not want access tokens and tier-based usage limits in their workflow, should compare alternatives.

Pros and cons

Pros

Broad infrastructure scope: Blockchain, storage, databases and computing share one network, which may suit developers assembling a decentralized application stack.
Useful SPFS operations: Uploading, fetching, pinning, unpinning and sharing are documented through API and WebUI workflows.
Private storage access: Personal data remains inaccessible to others unless explicitly shared.
Multiple API interfaces: Mainnet RPC, REST and gRPC endpoints support different integration approaches.

Cons

Token-gated use: SPFS and gateway APIs require access tokens, adding a prerequisite to storage and integration work.
Usage ceilings matter: Free SPFS access is limited, while gateway rate and traffic limits vary by tier.
Node binary scope is narrow: The precompiled option targets Ubuntu 18.04 or newer on amd64; other systems require source compilation.

Alternatives

For a broad category comparison, browse Decentralized Storage Services. Choose Sia if an open-source project supported by the Sia Foundation and community donations is a better fit; it also offers a free plan across a similar spread of platforms. Filebase is a more storage-focused option with a free tier capped at 5 GB shared storage, 500 pinned files and 10 GB IPFS egress, or a Pro plan at 7.50 USD per month. Consider Pinata when its defined plans fit: Picnic costs 20.00 USD per month for 1 agent, 1TB storage, 1 gateway plus CDN, 5 Million requests and 500GB bandwidth; Fiesta costs 100.00 USD per month for 3 agents, 5TB storage, 3 gateways plus CDN, with additional plan terms dependent on the stated details.

Carbide Network is another option, with Home provider and Personal storage plans priced at 0.00 USD per month and billed at $0.002/GB. DeNet Storage may suit readers willing to use prepaid GAS balances; it has no free plan and its listed storage examples use 1,200 GAS purchased upfront. Choose Peergos if fully open-source software, including the server, and reproducible builds are priorities; it has no free plan. 4EVERLAND and Lighthouse are also freemium services with free plans.

Verdict

Stratos is a strong candidate for blockchain and Dapp developers who want storage, computing, databases and network APIs within one decentralized infrastructure network. SPFS’s documented file operations and private access model are its clearest practical draw. Look elsewhere if you need predictable, uncapped usage without access-token and tier constraints, or prefer a storage-only service with clearly defined plan quotas.

	NFT.Storage	Stratos
Free plan	No	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	—	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Web	Android, api, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Web, Windows
Free plan	No	Yes
Network type	distributed	hybrid
IPFS support	Yes	Yes
Desktop apps	—	Yes
Mobile apps	—	Yes

NFT.Storage vs Stratos

NFT.Storage

Stratos