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.
Bottom line: AWS S3 wins this matchup. PostgreSQL is our overall Data & Databases pick. PostgreSQL is our free Data & Databases pick. Pick MinIO if you need cloud & infrastructure.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
AWS S3
Scalable object storage by Amazon
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard
MinIO
High performance object storage
Best for you if:
- • You want open source
| At a Glance | AWS S3 | MinIO |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.0025/mo S3 Intelligent-Tiering | Custom |
Category | Cloud Storage Data & Databases | Cloud & Infrastructure Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.7/5 Capterra 4.7 · G2 4.6 2,062 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 17 reviews |
Free plan | No | n/a |
Watch out for | Retrieval fees for Glacier storage | n/a |
Choose AWS S3 or MinIO?
Choose AWS S3 if
- You want industry standard
- You want highly scalable
- You work in cloud storage, not cloud & infrastructure
Choose MinIO if
- You want open source
- You want self-hosted
- You work in cloud & infrastructure, not cloud storage
In-Depth Analysis
AWS S3
Scalable object storage by Amazon
AWS S3's pricing is generally fair and highly competitive, especially with its diverse storage classes.
Watch out
Retrieval fees for Glacier storage
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard
- Pro: Highly scalable
- Pro: Strong ecosystem
- Pro: Many features
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex pricing
- Con: AWS lock-in
- Con: Learning curve
Key features
MinIO
High performance object storage
MinIO's pricing structure is fair, offering a generous Free tier for single-node use.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Self-hosted
- Pro: High performance
- Pro: S3 compatible
Weaknesses
- Con: Self-manage required
- Con: No managed service
- Con: 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.
Key Takeaways
AWS S3
- Larger review base (2,062 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
MinIO
- Better fit for cloud & infrastructure
The Bottom Line
AWS S3 wins this matchup. PostgreSQL is our overall Data & Databases pick. PostgreSQL is our free Data & Databases pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AWS S3 or MinIO better in 2026?
AWS S3 wins this matchup. PostgreSQL is our overall Data & Databases pick. PostgreSQL is our free Data & Databases pick. Pick AWS S3 for cloud storage workflows (main strength: industry standard). Pick MinIO for cloud & infrastructure workflows (main strength: 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's paid plans start at $0.0025/mo (S3 Intelligent-Tiering). MinIO pricing is on their site.
What's the main difference between AWS S3 and MinIO?
AWS S3's main strength: industry standard. MinIO's main strength: open source.