Comparison Guide: Object Storage Vs. Block Storage

Cloud storage has become more efficient and flexible than traditional (on-premises) storage. It allows companies to store and retrieve data quickly, link storage to virtual machines, compute resources and CDNs, and access data from anywhere.

However, like traditional storage, different data types require different storage methods. Two of the most widely used are object storage and block storage.

• Object storage is known for handling unstructured data with virtually limitless scalability.
• Block storage is preferred for structured data and scenarios where low-latency access is critical.

Rather than asking which is better, think of them as footballers playing in different positions—each serves a unique purpose and isn’t meant to replace the other. This guide will explain how they work, their key differences, and when to use each.

Object Storage

Object storage gets its name from the way it stores data—as objects instead of blocks or files. Unlike traditional hierarchical file systems that use folders and directories, object storage follows a flat structure where all objects exist at the same level within a shared storage space rather than being organized into a directory system.

Each object consists of three key components:

• Data – The actual file content (e.g., images, audio, videos, HTML files).
• Metadata – Additional details about the file (e.g., file size, creation date, custom tags).
• Object ID – A unique identifier (hash or UUID) used to locate and retrieve the object.

How does Object Storage Work?

A key strength of object storage is its highly customizable metadata, which makes data retrieval efficient through metadata lookups and HTTP-based API calls. Additionally, its objects are spread across multiple storage servers within a cloud infrastructure, making object storage highly scalable and durable.

The combination of a flat file structure and distributed architecture allows object storage to handle massive amounts of unstructured data, making it an excellent choice for backups, media storage, and data archiving.

One key characteristic of object storage is immutability—once an object is stored, it cannot be modified, only retrieved or replaced. Making it well-suited for storing static data, such as:

• Images & Videos – Media content that doesn’t change frequently.
• Backups & Archives – Long-term data storage.
• Logs & Analytics Data – Large datasets that don’t require frequent updates.

While these characteristics and abilities give object storage advantages, they also highlight weaknesses. 

Pros

1. Ideal for unstructured data – Works well for large files and static content.
2. Highly customizable metadata – Enables flexible data management and retrieval.
3. Virtually unlimited storage – Can scale without traditional storage limitations.
4. Cost-effective – Generally more affordable for long-term data retention.

Cons

1. Objects cannot be modified – Small edits require rewriting the entire object.
2. Higher retrieval latency – Access is slower than block storage since it relies on API calls instead of direct disk access.
3. No file system support – Cannot be mounted on VMs or databases, making it unsuitable for structured workloads.
4. Not suitable for real-time processing – API-based access introduces latency.

It’s important to note that while object storage can also be used in on-premises environments, it primarily emerged with advancements in cloud computing—making it a key component of modern cloud architectures. UpCloud offers a scalable, secure, and S3-compatible managed object storage solution.

Block Storage

Block storage takes a different approach to data storage. Instead of storing data as a whole, it breaks it into smaller units called blocks and distributes them across different physical disks. Each block is assigned a unique address, making retrieval fast and efficient.

How does Block Storage Work?

Block storage stores minimal metadata to reduce processing overhead. Instead of relying on extensive metadata lookups, it maintains a lookup table that tracks block locations, allowing faster retrieval than object storage.

Block storage is ideal for structured data and provides raw storage space that can be formatted with a file system. It allows frequent data modifications, making it suitable for:

• Databases & containers – High-speed transactional workloads that require low-latency read/write operation.
• Virtual machines (VMs) – Boot disks and persistent storage.
• Media rendering – High-performance computing and video processing.

As mentioned earlier, object and block storage serve different purposes. Like object storage, block storage has its strengths and weaknesses, depending on the use case.

Pros 

1. Fast and efficient retrieval – Direct disk access ensures low-latency performance.
2. Supports file systems – Can be formatted with NTFS, EXT4, etc., and mounted on VMs.
3. Ideal for real-time processing – No API overhead, making it great for databases and transactional workloads.

Cons 

1. Limited scalability – Fixed-size volumes make scaling harder than object storage.
2. Higher cost at scale – More expensive for large datasets.
3. Complex management – Requires handling volumes, partitions, and file systems.
4. Not ideal for long-term storage – Less efficient for backups and extensive unstructured data.

The unique characteristics of each storage medium provide options for different use cases. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right storage solution for your needs. Let’s explore their similarities and differences side by side.

It’s not about which is better — it’s about when and how to use each. The right choice depends on your workload needs. Object storage is the way to go if scalability and unstructured data are your focus. On the other hand, block storage is the better fit if you need high performance and low latency.

UpCloud provide both options to suit different storage demands. Check out our Block Storage options – for fast, efficient, and reliable data system optimised for minimal latency (plus it’s the default for all Cloud Servers!). Or, if you are looking to host a large quantity of unstructured data, take a look at our Object Storage. It’s secure, scalable, and S3-compatible, so you can store, manage, and scale your data either from the UI or with a fully programmable API- and SDK- interface.

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