Backblaze B2

Backblaze B2 is a cloud object storage service for storing, managing, and delivering files. It supports browser access, application programming interfaces, command-line tools, and third-party integrations.

The service provides an S3-compatible API for existing AWS-compatible software and a Backblaze Native API for product-specific operations. Common workloads include backups, active archives, application storage, media delivery, and AI data pipelines.

B2 provides private and public buckets, scoped application keys, lifecycle rules, object lock, browser-compatible file URLs, and web-console administration. Object lock can restrict modification or deletion for defined retention periods.

The S3-compatible API supports common AWS SDKs, including boto3 and JavaScript, while the Native API provides Backblaze-specific account and key-management functions. Backblaze also documents CLI access and community SDKs.

Documented integrations include Cloudflare, Fastly, Veeam, Synology, Wasabi-compatible tools, rclone, Cyberduck, Commvault, Rubrik, MSP360, Nextcloud, and many backup and content-management platforms.

Backblaze B2 pay-as-you-go storage starts at $6.95 per terabyte per month. The first 10 GB of storage is free, and billing uses the amount of data stored over time.

Customers receive free egress up to three times their average monthly stored data. Additional egress is listed at $0.01 per GB, while Class A, B, and C transactions are free under pay-as-you-go pricing. Class D transactions cost $0.004 per 10,000 calls after the stated daily allowance.

Backblaze also offers annual capacity pricing through B2 Reserve. Discounts may apply to volume and term commitments. Premium support and implementation assistance are available as add-ons.

Pros: B2 combines S3 compatibility, a free entry tier, predictable storage pricing, free egress allowances, no minimum storage-duration fees, and broad backup-tool compatibility.

Cons: The service is infrastructure-oriented and may require technical configuration. The S3-compatible API does not provide every B2-specific function, so some tasks require the Native API or web console. Public reviews also mention a basic interface and occasional support concerns.

Comparable services include Amazon S3, Cloudflare R2, Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage, IDrive e2, Google Cloud Storage, and Microsoft Azure Blob Storage. The closest choice depends on API compatibility, geographic availability, data-transfer costs, storage classes, and enterprise controls.

Does Backblaze B2 have a free trial?
Backblaze provides a free tier rather than a time-limited trial. The first 10 GB of B2 storage is free, and users can create an account through the Start Free flow.

Which APIs does B2 support?
B2 supports an S3-compatible API and a Backblaze Native API. Backblaze recommends the S3-compatible API for most new integrations and the Native API for B2-specific capabilities.

Can B2 store backups?
Yes. B2 is designed for backup, recovery, active archiving, and disaster-recovery workflows. Backup applications can connect through S3 compatibility, Native API support, or documented partner integrations.

Does B2 support object immutability?
Yes. Object Lock can restrict file modification or deletion for a specified retention period.

Does B2 support FTP or SSH?
Backblaze documents HTTPS as the supported connection protocol for the Native API. FTP and SSH are not officially supported by that API.