Cloud Storage Test - AWS, Backblaze, Cloudflare, Wasabi Results
Basically, Backblaze tested how fast different cloud storage providers are at uploading and downloading files.
Backblaze's latest report reveals performance benchmarks for cloud storage giants AWS, Cloudflare, and Wasabi. The findings highlight strengths and weaknesses, impacting buyer decisions. This data is crucial for understanding cloud storage options.
What Happened
In a recent performance report, Backblaze published its Q1 2026 statistics comparing major cloud storage providers: AWS S3, Cloudflare R2, Wasabi, and Backblaze B2. This report is part of a quarterly series aimed at providing users with insight into the strengths and weaknesses of these services. The testing was conducted using a neutral virtual machine to ensure unbiased results, and it included various file sizes and configurations.
Testing Methodology
The tests evaluated average upload and download times for files of sizes 256KiB, 2MiB, and 5MiB. Additionally, metrics like time-to-first-byte (TTFB) for downloads and sustained throughput were measured. Multi-threaded tests utilized 20 concurrent threads to assess performance under load. This quarter, the EU-Central region was also included, revealing different performance dynamics compared to the US-East region.
US-East Upload and Download Averages
In the US-East region, every provider showed improved upload times compared to Q4 2025. Backblaze excelled in uploads for 256KiB and 5MiB files, while Wasabi led in the 2MiB category. For downloads, AWS S3 dominated in TTFB and 256KiB downloads, whereas Backblaze managed to secure the top spot for 2MiB downloads, a category previously held by AWS.
Rate Limits in Throughput Data
Backblaze faced its own bandwidth caps during multi-threaded tests, particularly with larger file sizes. This limitation did not impact smaller file sizes, allowing for a clearer comparison. To mitigate this, Backblaze implemented an auto-retry script and adjusted bandwidth caps for affected sizes, showcasing their proactive approach to testing.
EU-Central Findings
The EU-Central tests yielded different results, with Cloudflare R2 leading in the 256KiB upload category. Backblaze excelled in 2MiB and 5MiB uploads. For downloads, Cloudflare led in TTFB and 256KiB downloads, while AWS was the leader for 5MiB downloads. Backblaze noted internal issues affecting their EU download averages and plans to address these in future reports.
Variance and Dataset Maturity
A notable observation across both regions was the significant variance in throughput values within each file size category. This pattern, seen in previous reports, indicates that while trends are emerging, the dataset is still maturing, and caution is advised when interpreting results.
Methodology Limitations
The report outlines several limitations, including a ceiling on file sizes for tests and potential caching effects during repeated downloads. These factors may influence the results and should be considered when evaluating the findings. The full methodology and raw data tables are available in the report for transparency.
In conclusion, Backblaze's performance report not only sheds light on the competitive landscape of cloud storage but also emphasizes the importance of ongoing testing and data analysis in shaping cloud storage strategies.