AWS S3 vs MinIO: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between AWS S3 and MinIO comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
AWS S3
Scalable object storage by Amazon
Best for you if:
- • You need cloud storage features specifically
- • Amazon S3 is an object storage service offering industry-leading scalability, data availability, security, and performance for virtually any use case.
- • It provides 99.999999999% data durability and 99.99% availability, with cost-effective storage classes and robust security features.
MinIO
High performance object storage
Best for you if:
- • You need cloud & infrastructure features specifically
- • MinIO AIStor is an exascale AI data store designed for high-performance object storage, agentic computing, and analytics.
- • It offers limitless scalability, sub-10ms latency, 11 nines of data durability, and zero-touch operations, eliminating traditional storage bottlenecks.
| At a Glance |  AWS S3 |  MinIO |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.023/GB/moS3 Standard | Custom/moEnterprise Lite |
Best For | Cloud Storage | Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | - | - |
Choose AWS S3 or MinIO?
Choose AWS S3 if
Scalable object storage by Amazon
- Industry standard
- Highly scalable
- Strong ecosystem
- Your work is cloud storage-shaped, not cloud & infrastructure-shaped
Choose MinIO if
High performance object storage
- Open source
- Self-hosted
- High performance
- Your work is cloud & infrastructure-shaped, not cloud storage-shaped
| Feature | AWS S3 | MinIO |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Open_source |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 2,049 reviews | ★4.4/5 19 reviews |
| Categories | Cloud StorageData & Databases | Cloud & InfrastructureData & Databases |
In-Depth Analysis
AWS S3
Scalable object storage by Amazon
Strengths
- +Industry standard
- +Highly scalable
- +Strong ecosystem
- +Many features
Weaknesses
- -Complex pricing
- -AWS lock-in
- -Learning curve
Key features
MinIO
High performance object storage
Strengths
- +Open source
- +Self-hosted
- +High performance
- +S3 compatible
Weaknesses
- -Self-manage required
- -No managed service
- -Support extra
Key features
Pricing: AWS S3 vs MinIO
| Plan | AWS S3 | MinIO |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Free Tier | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $0.023/GB S3 Standard | Custom Enterprise Lite |
| Tier 3 | $0.0025/1000 objects S3 Intelligent-Tiering | Custom Enterprise |
| Tier 4 | $0.004/GB S3 Glacier | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on AWS S3 pricing and MinIO pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: AWS S3
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: AWS S3
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: AWS S3
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
AWS S3 is paid. MinIO is open_source.
What's your use case?
AWS S3 is a cloud storage tool. MinIO is in cloud & infrastructure. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
AWS S3
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (2,049 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
MinIO
- Better fit for cloud & infrastructure
The Bottom Line
AWS S3 is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AWS S3 or MinIO better?
AWS S3 is rated in our evaluation. AWS S3 is paid and MinIO is open_source.
What are AWS S3 and MinIO used for?
AWS S3: Scalable object storage by Amazon. MinIO: High performance object storage.
What does AWS S3 cost vs MinIO?
AWS S3 is a paid tool. MinIO is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.