#Arweave Vs Filecoin

https://ardrive.io/arweave-vs-filecoin/

With so many new technologies and applications coming out every day, it is hard to know what they are and how to differentiate between them. It’s often easiest to lump the unfamiliar into something that seems similar enough. 每天都有如此多的新技术和应用出现，很难知道它们是什么以及如何区分它们。通常最容易将不熟悉的东西混为一谈看起来足够相似的东西。

That is what often happens with Arweave and Filecoin (or new projects like Sia, Storj, Tardigrade and Space). People assume that they are all part of a next generation of data storage built on blockchain technology, so they must essentially be the same. Right? 这就是 Arweave 和 Filecoin（或 Sia、Storj、Tardigrade 和 Space 等新项目）经常发生的情况。人们假设它们都是基于区块链技术构建的下一代数据存储的一部分，因此它们在本质上必须是相同的。正确的？

However, if we dig a little deeper into Arweave and Filecoin we will see that they are actually trying to do something quite different from each other. 然而，如果我们更深入地研究 Arweave 和 Filecoin，我们会发现它们实际上正在尝试做一些完全不同的事情。

What is the difference between Arweave vs Filecoin? While both are data storage solutions and have similarities such as being decentralized and built on blockchain technology, Arweave is focused on the problem of long-term data storage, whereas Filecoin is trying to disrupt the current storage market through a low-cost alternative to temporary storage. Arweave 与 Filecoin 之间有什么区别？虽然两者都是数据存储解决方案，并且具有去中心化和基于区块链技术等相似之处，但 Arweave 专注于长期数据存储的问题，而 Filecoin 则试图通过低成本替代临时存储来扰乱当前的存储市场贮存。

Furthermore, Arweave is setting up an entire ecosystem for permanent applications that will allow for new types of experiences and economics for both users and developers, while Filecoin is offering storage for more traditional web applications. 此外，Arweave 正在为永久应用程序建立一个完整的生态系统，这将为用户和开发人员提供新型体验和经济效益，而 Filecoin 则为更传统的网络应用程序提供存储。

Let’s dig into this summary to see how Arweave and Filecoin are actually quite different in their purposes and outcomes. 让我们深入研究这个摘要，看看 Arweave 和 Filecoin 在目的和结果上有何不同。

What is Filecoin? 什么是文件币？ Filecoin would describe themselves as a decentralized network designed to store humanity’s most important information. Filecoin 将自己描述为一个去中心化网络，旨在存储人类最重要的信息。

The main purpose of Filecoin is to create a large network of people to store data all over the world who are incentivized to store other people’s data. Filecoin 的主要目的是创建一个大型网络来存储全世界的数据，这些人被激励存储其他人的数据。

Think of Filecoin as the Airbnb of data storage. Just like people rent a room or suite in their house on Airbnb, Filecoin wants to rent out the surplus data storage from servers all over the world. The owners of these servers can rent out space to you and me to save our data by the month. 将 Filecoin 视为数据存储的 Airbnb。就像人们在 Airbnb 上租一个房间或套房一样，Filecoin 想租用世界各地服务器上多余的数据存储。这些服务器的所有者可以将空间出租给你我，以便按月保存我们的数据。

Similar to how Airbnb became a cheaper alternative (some of the time) to staying in a hotel, Filecoin aims to become a cheaper alternative than the big players in the cloud storage industry. They’ve already amassed an 1 Exabyte (over 1 billion GB) of storage capacity, mostly on servers in China. 类似于 Airbnb 如何成为（有时）入住酒店的更便宜的选择，Filecoin 的目标是成为比云存储行业的大玩家更便宜的选择。他们已经积累了 1 艾字节（超过 10 亿 GB）的存储容量，大部分存储在中国的服务器上。

Instead of a centralized network where information is stored in one place, Filecoin is creating a decentralized network where data is replicated across multiple locations and accessible from anywhere. This allows data to be closer to the sources that need them and also offers no central point of attack for hackers. Filecoin 不是将信息存储在一个地方的集中式网络，而是创建一个分散式网络，其中数据在多个位置复制并可从任何地方访问。这使数据更接近需要它们的来源，并且不会为黑客提供中心攻击点。

Filecoin’s hope is that it will become a reliable and low-cost storage network able to disrupt the cloud storage industry dominated by massive companies such as Amazon Web Services, Alibaba, and Google. Filecoin 希望它成为一个可靠且低成本的存储网络，能够颠覆由亚马逊网络服务、阿里巴巴和谷歌等大公司主导的云存储行业。

What is Arweave? 什么是 Arweave？ Arweave describes itself as a novel data storage blockchain protocol enabling a permanent web and creating truly permanent data for the first time. Arweave 将自己描述为一种新颖的数据存储区块链协议，可实现永久性网络并首次创建真正永久性的数据。

When the founders of Arweave analyzed the current state of data on the internet, it was clear that the internet was not a good store of data for long periods of time. In truth, the internet was actually very fluid: upwards of 95% of all information on the web was lost every 20 years. 当 Arweave 的创始人分析互联网上数据的现状时，很明显互联网在很长一段时间内都不是一个很好的数据存储空间。事实上，互联网实际上非常不稳定：网络上超过 95% 的信息每 20 年就会丢失一次。

Therefore, the main problem that Arweave set out to solve was how to store data reliably for long periods of time. Their vision is to become a new Library of Alexandria, an ancient library built to be a universal deposit of the world’s knowledge. 因此，Arweave 着手解决的主要问题是如何长时间可靠地存储数据。他们的愿景是成为一座新的亚历山大图书馆，这座古老的图书馆旨在成为世界知识的普遍宝库。

As Arweave set out to solve this problem of long-term data storage they made an innovation to current blockchain technology and developed a unique incentive system for people to store data permanently. 当 Arweave 着手解决长期数据存储的问题时，他们对当前的区块链技术进行了创新，并开发了一种独特的激励系统，让人们永久存储数据。

Instead of a blockchain, Arweave made a blockweave. Similar to the way woven fabric is held together by multiple strands, the blockweave is held together by multiple linkages within the entire store of data. For example, the only way to add new data to the blockweave is if a server can recall a randomly-selected file (or group of files) that is already on the blockweave. Only those servers that can recall this previous random block get to store any new data. In other words, the ‘fabric’ of the blockweave is extremely dense. Files on the permaweb are linked and replicated countless times. This innovation in data storage along with a few new economic incentives for miners (those who store the data) create the conditions for data to be kept for very long periods of time. Arweave 不是区块链，而是 blockweave。类似于机织织物由多股线连接在一起的方式，块状编织由整个数据存储中的多个链接连接在一起。例如，将新数据添加到 blockweave 的唯一方法是服务器是否可以调用已经在 blockweave 上的随机选择的文件（或文件组）。只有那些能够召回这个先前随机块的服务器才能存储任何新数据。换句话说，方块编织的“织物”非常致密。 permaweb 上的文件被链接和复制了无数次。这种数据存储方面的创新以及对矿工（存储数据的人）的一些新经济激励措施为数据长期保存创造了条件。

The arrival of the blockweave has also unlocked several new features for data storage. First, it made the data both unchangeable and unable to be deleted. If copies of files are replicated countless times on servers all across the globe, it is virtually impossible to alter any file that has been uploaded to the permaweb. blockweave 的出现还解锁了一些数据存储的新功能。首先，它使数据既不可更改又无法删除。如果文件的副本在全球各地的服务器上被复制了无数次，那么几乎不可能更改任何已上传到 permaweb 的文件。

Second, payments to store data no longer needs to be on a month-to-month basis. Instead, the permaweb works on a pay-once-forever basis. 其次，存储数据的费用不再需要按月支付。取而代之的是，permaweb 在永久支付一次的基础上工作。

The invention of data permanence has also allowed Arweave to enable others to build an ecosystem of permanent applications that can solve innovative problems on top of the Arweave protocol. 数据永久性的发明也让 Arweave 能够让其他人建立一个永久性应用程序的生态系统，这些应用程序可以在 Arweave 协议之上解决创新问题。

Now that we have an understanding of Filecoin and Arweave let’s look at the similarities between the two before we take a closer look at the differences. 现在我们已经了解了 Filecoin 和 Arweave，让我们先看看两者之间的相似之处，然后再仔细研究它们之间的差异。

Similarities between Arweave and Filecoin Arweave 和 Filecoin 之间的相似之处 The key similarity between Arweave and Filecoin is that they are both storage devices that use blockchain technology on a decentralized system. Arweave 和 Filecoin 之间的关键相似之处在于它们都是在去中心化系统上使用区块链技术的存储设备。

Let’s use an example of storing a photo file. 让我们以存储照片文件为例。

If I take a digital photo on my phone, I have a lot of different options for where I can store it. Both Arweave and Filecoin would be glad to have my file. Once I select one of these services and upload my photo to their network, that will be its home. Easy. 如果我在手机上拍了一张数码照片，我有很多不同的存储位置的选择。 Arweave 和 Filecoin 都会很高兴拥有我的文件。一旦我选择其中一项服务并将我的照片上传到他们的网络，那将是它的家。简单的。

Now Arweave and Filecoin get compared to each most often because of the way that they store that photo. As mentioned above, they both use forms of blockchain technology. Blockchain is simply a type of database that is optimized for taking in and storing information that cannot be changed. 现在 Arweave 和 Filecoin 由于存储照片的方式而最常被相互比较。如上所述，它们都使用区块链技术的形式。区块链只是一种数据库，它针对接收和存储无法更改的信息进行了优化。

Both Arweave and Filecoin are also decentralized, meaning there is no head office in Silicon Valley (or anywhere else) controlling their servers. Instead, servers are controlled by individuals (called miners) around the world who will store the data for a fee. Miners are bound by a set of pre-established rules, rather than the whims of a single corporation. Arweave 和 Filecoin 也是去中心化的，这意味着硅谷（或其他任何地方）没有总部控制他们的服务器。相反，服务器由世界各地的个人（称为矿工）控制，他们将收取费用存储数据。矿工受到一套预先制定的规则的约束，而不是某个公司的突发奇想。

If a blockchain network is working properly, it will be built up over time to include thousands and thousands of miners who are sharing and replicating the data amongst each other. 如果一个区块链网络正常工作，它将随着时间的推移而建立起来，以包括成千上万的矿工，他们相互共享和复制数据。

Finally, both Arweave and Filecoin have their own form of digital currency as a way to pay for data to be uploaded to their respective networks. Arweave uses the AR token and Filecoin uses the FIL token. 最后，Arweave 和 Filecoin 都有自己的数字货币形式，作为支付上传到各自网络的数据的一种方式。 Arweave 使用 AR 代币，Filecoin 使用 FIL 代币。

With all of this in common it is easy to see why Arweave and Filecoin are seen as similar, but is this really an apples to apples comparison? 有了所有这些共同点，就很容易看出为什么 Arweave 和 Filecoin 被视为相似，但这真的是同类比较吗？

Differences between Arweave and Filecoin Arweave 和 Filecoin 之间的区别 Despite all of the similarities between Arweave and Filecoin, the founder of Arweave, Sam Williams, would say that they are fundamentally doing a different thing: 尽管 Arweave 和 Filecoin 之间存在所有相似之处，但 Arweave 的创始人 Sam Williams 会说，他们从根本上做的是不同的事情：

“Arweave is a zero to one change in allowing permanent data storage. By backing data storage by sustainable endowment structures, adjudicated by a protocol rather than a company, it makes it possible to store data forever with a one-time fee. Other projects in the decentralized storage space appear to be focused on providing costs competitive compared to Amazon and other centralized providers.” “Arweave 在允许永久数据存储方面是零到一的变化。通过由协议而不是公司裁定的可持续捐赠结构支持数据存储，可以一次性付费永久存储数据。与亚马逊和其他中心化提供商相比，去中心化存储空间中的其他项目似乎专注于提供具有竞争力的成本。”

Filecoin is providing a service that is essentially the same as other providers: data storage at a monthly price. The main difference is that Filecoin uses a different and potentially more cost-effective method behind the scenes to provide this temporary storage. Filecoin 提供的服务与其他提供商基本相同：按月收费的数据存储。主要区别在于 Filecoin 在幕后使用不同的且可能更具成本效益的方法来提供这种临时存储。

Arweave is providing a service that is fundamentally new to the marketplace: data storage over long periods of time through a one-time payment method that, also, allows for a new type of permanent application to be built on top. Arweave 提供的服务对市场来说是全新的：通过一次性支付方式长期存储数据，同时允许在其上构建新型永久应用程序。

If you look at a piece of data being placed into the two networks there’s nothing inherently built into the Filecoin to guarantee its permanence. If your Filecoin bills go unpaid, your data will be deleted. By contrast, Arweave is built to ensure data permanence: miners have to refer to data that was previously stored proving they still have it. 如果你看一下被放入两个网络的一段数据，就会发现 Filecoin 没有内在内置的东西来保证它的持久性。如果您的 Filecoin 账单未付，您的数据将被删除。相比之下，Arweave 旨在确保数据永久性：矿工必须参考以前存储的数据来证明他们仍然拥有这些数据。

This may seem like only a small difference, but as big doors swing on small hinges this seemingly small difference opens up huge possibilities. 这似乎只是一个很小的区别，但随着大门在小铰链上摆动，这个看似很小的区别开启了巨大的可能性。

The fundamental difference and biggest potential for Arweave going forward is that they are building a new ecosystem of permanent applications on top of their protocol. Arweave 未来的根本区别和最大潜力在于，他们正在其协议之上构建一个永久应用程序的新生态系统。

This is Arweave’s main focus going forward: incubating a growing number of permanent web applications that interact with their protocol. The ability for what these permanent applications could potentially be is a game changer for both developers and users 这是 Arweave 未来的主要关注点：孵化越来越多与其协议交互的永久性 Web 应用程序。这些永久性应用程序的潜在能力是开发人员和用户的游戏规则改变者

Arweave calls these permanent web applications profit sharing applications because they have the same attributes as Arweave itself: they are permanent, based around a token, governed by the community, and have economic incentives that are in line with the developers and users instead of corporate executives. Arweave 将这些永久性网络应用程序称为利润共享应用程序，因为它们与 Arweave 本身具有相同的属性：它们是永久性的，基于代币，由社区治理，并且具有与开发者和用户而不是企业高管一致的经济激励.

Similar to a co-op, these profit sharing communities are designed to ‘share’ profits between the developers of the applications, the users, and the holders of the tokens. ‘Profit sharing’ is not just a clever name! 与合作社类似，这些利润分享社区旨在在应用程序开发者、用户和代币持有者之间“分享”利润。 “利润分享”不仅仅是一个聪明的名字！

Profit sharing communities change the incentive structures of applications to create a better alignment between the developer and the user, and allow both to participate more fully in the success of an application. 利润共享社区改变了应用程序的激励结构，以在开发人员和用户之间建立更好的一致性，并允许双方更充分地参与应用程序的成功。

There are already a number of applications being launched such as: 已经有许多应用程序正在启动，例如：

ArDrive - permanent Dropbox ArDrive - 永久性 Dropbox Redstone - DeFi data streams Redstone - DeFi 数据流 Verto - decentralized exchange Verto——去中心化交易所 ArGo - web app deployment service ArGo - 网络应用程序部署服务 Koii - NFT and media sharing platform Koii - NFT 和媒体共享平台 Pianity - online music trading platform Pianity - 在线音乐交易平台 For a deep dive into profit sharing applications and communities and how they flip the script on traditional corporate profit structures please go here. 要深入了解利润分享应用程序和社区以及它们如何颠覆传统企业利润结构，请访问此处。

How will these differences play out in the market? 这些差异将如何在市场上发挥作用？ Filecoin will need to be able to compete on price if they are going to be successful in the cloud storage market. Their main competitors are incumbent tech giants like Amazon and Alibaba. They may be able to charge a premium due to the secure and decentralized nature of their network, but they will need to be price-competitive with the giants of the world to survive over the long term. 如果 Filecoin 想要在云存储市场取得成功，就需要能够在价格上展开竞争。他们的主要竞争对手是亚马逊和阿里巴巴等老牌科技巨头。由于其网络的安全性和分散性，他们可能会收取溢价，但他们需要与世界巨头在价格上具有竞争力才能长期生存。

This will not be easy for Filecoin as the large centralized companies have a competitive advantage with economies of scales to keep on reducing prices over time. 这对 Filecoin 来说并不容易，因为大型中心化公司具有规模经济的竞争优势，可以随着时间的推移不断降低价格。

If you have data that you want to keep for shorter periods of time and are fine with paying on a month-to-month basis, Filecoin could be the right service for you. 如果您有想要保留较短时间的数据并且愿意按月付费，Filecoin 可能是适合您的服务。

Arweave looks to forge a new market for long-term permanent storage. One of the hardest things to do in business is to innovate a product into a market that has never been developed. (This is probably why people often compare Arweave and Filecoin: we tend to group new things into categories we already understand.) Arweave 希望打造一个新的长期永久存储市场。商业中最难做的事情之一就是将产品创新到从未开发过的市场中。 （这可能就是人们经常比较 Arweave 和 Filecoin 的原因：我们倾向于将新事物归为我们已经了解的类别。）

There are many early adopters to Arweave who see the value and use cases for permanent storage. Ironically, some of the biggest early adopters of Arweave are other blockchains (like Solana) who want to ensure their own blockchain data is kept in perpetuity. Arweave 的许多早期采用者看到了永久存储的价值和用例。具有讽刺意味的是，Arweave 的一些最大的早期采用者是其他区块链（如 Solana），他们希望确保自己的区块链数据永久保存。

But most people aren’t even aware that permanent data is an option. Mass adoption will require greater awareness, public discovery and developer education. The general public will begin to care about Arweave when they see it solving problems that can’t be solved in any other way: lawyers who need to save contracts permanently, historians who want to archive one-of-a-kind documents, artists who want to ensure their work reaches future generations. 但大多数人甚至不知道永久数据是一种选择。大规模采用将需要更高的认识、公众发现和开发人员教育。当公众看到 Arweave 解决了无法以任何其他方式解决的问题时，他们将开始关心 Arweave：需要永久保存合同的律师、想要存档独一无二文件的历史学家、需要希望确保他们的工作能传到子孙后代。

Long-term data storage is a new, exciting, and sometimes confusing concept. And it really is in its infancy. As this new type of relationship with data has been made possible, it will be fascinating to see how it plays out in the marketplace in the years to come. 长期数据存储是一个令人兴奋但有时令人困惑的新概念。它确实处于起步阶段。随着这种与数据的新型关系成为可能，未来几年它在市场上的表现将令人着迷。

Conclusion 结论 So what are we to say between the comparisons of Arweave and Filecoin? 那么我们对 Arweave 和 Filecoin 的比较有何看法？

Although both have obvious similarities in that they are both storage solutions built on decentralized blockchain technology, the fairest statement to make is that they are trying to solve fundamentally different problems. 尽管两者有明显的相似之处，因为它们都是基于去中心化区块链技术构建的存储解决方案，但最公平的说法是它们试图解决根本不同的问题。

Filecoin is looking to disrupt the current storage market by providing a low-cost decentralized temporary storage solution that is better than Amazon or Alibaba. Filecoin 希望通过提供优于亚马逊或阿里巴巴的低成本去中心化临时存储解决方案来颠覆当前的存储市场。

Arweave is looking to provide the solution to long-term data storage, and enable a new wave of permanent applications to be built on top of it. Arweave 正在寻求为长期数据存储提供解决方案，并在其之上构建新一波永久性应用程序。