ArDrive: Arweave’s OG App
Since the early days of Arweave, ArDrive has been the flagship app for permanent storage, showing what’s possible when data is truly decentralized, tamper-proof, and available forever.
From individuals to enterprises, ArDrive has set the standard for what permanent storage should be:
Giving everyone access to permanent storage - just not developers
Allowing people to upload any type of file to Arweave
Providing a simple and intuitive experience based around a familiar file/folder structure
Now, with AR.IO, ArDrive becomes even more powerful—expanding how, where, and why permanent storage can be used.
The Problems ArDrive has Already Solved
For years, we have become accustomed to cloud storage from Dropbox, Google, and Apple. While powerful and convenient, this data storage comes with built-in limitations:
🔹 Lost files – If a cloud provider shuts down, gets acquired, or decides to delete inactive accounts, your data can disappear overnight. Just look at Adobe’s Creative Cloud.
🔹 Subscription-based access – With traditional storage, you’re renting space, not owning it. The second you stop paying, your files are at risk.
🔹 Centralized control – A handful of companies manage nearly all cloud storage, meaning your data is subject to policy changes, restrictions, and access limitations.
🔹 Limited longevity – Data stored today isn’t guaranteed to be there tomorrow, leaving businesses, creators, and individuals with no long-term security.
ArDrive changed that. For the first time, users could store data permanently, knowing it would be accessible no matter what.
Storage as it should be
With ArDrive your files are stored permanently on Arweave’s blockchain technology. That means:
✅ You pay once, and your files stay online forever—no subscriptions, no renewals.
✅ No company or platform can delete your data—you own it, and only you control access.
✅ Your files are always available—even if ArDrive or any single gateway disappears.
It’s like putting your files in a vault that can never be lost, stolen, or shut down.
This is what cloud storage should have been from the start - permanent, private, and truly yours.
But ArDrive alone was just the first step - there is more to this journey. That’s where AR.IO comes in.
How AR.IO Accelerates ArDrive
ArDrive set the foundation, but AR.IO makes permanent storage more accessible, flexible, and usable across a wider range of applications.
🔹 ArNS Integration – Name Your Storage
Instead of sharing long transaction IDs, ArDrive users can assign human-readable ArNS names to files, making them easier to find, organize, and share. You can give your file a unique name like "spainholiday" or an undername such as “spain_holidayvideo” instead of “3gd5fUVEcCqhDibQv8JKJ9Q9qZReLcJbvh03c17ZiZe”
🔹 Decentralized Gateway Access – No Single Point of Failure
Instead of relying on a single provider, ArDrive users now benefit from AR.IO’s network of independent gateways, ensuring files stay accessible even if one gateway goes offline.
🔹 Turbo for Faster, More Efficient Uploads
Turbo-powered bundling and indexing streamlines large file uploads, reducing the time and cost of storing data permanently.
Easier payments – Users can now pay for storage with traditional currencies or other cryptocurrencies not just the Arweave Token
🔹 Developer & Enterprise-Grade Tools
Bulk uploads, automated workflows, and programmatic storage management are now easier with ArDrive’s CLI and API tools, enhanced by AR.IO’s infrastructure.
Together, ArDrive and AR.IO make permanent storage not just possible—but practical and highly decentralized.
The Future of Permanent Storage with AR.IO
With ArDrive + AR.IO, permanent storage is more than just a concept—it’s a working, scalable solution. And this is just the beginning.
🚀 More decentralized infrastructure – Ensuring files stay online indefinitely.
🚀 Expanded ArNS adoption – Making human-readable storage the new standard.
🚀 Enterprise expansion – Bringing secure, long-term storage solutions to businesses.
ArDrive proved permanent storage works. AR.IO makes it even better.
Get Started: Store Your First File Forever
✅ No subscriptions
✅ No data loss
✅ No storage limits
