Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

IBM Cloud File Storage VS Azure File Storage

Compare IBM Cloud File Storage VS Azure File Storage and see what are their differences

IBM Cloud File Storage logo IBM Cloud File Storage

IBM Cloud File Storage is flash-backed, durable, fast, and flexible NFS-based file storage.

Azure File Storage logo Azure File Storage

Try Azure File Storage for managed file shares that use standard SMB 3.0 protocol. Share data with on-premises and cloud servers, integrate with apps, and more.
  • IBM Cloud File Storage Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-13
  • Azure File Storage Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-11

IBM Cloud File Storage features and specs

  • Scalability
    IBM Cloud File Storage offers scalable storage options that can accommodate the growth of data needs, allowing businesses to increase or decrease their storage requirements as needed.
  • Performance
    It provides high performance with low latency and up to 48,000 IOPS, suitable for demanding workloads and applications that require quick data access.
  • Security
    Enhanced security features include encryption for data at rest and in transit, as well as role-based access controls, ensuring data protection and compliance with various regulations.
  • Reliability
    With built-in redundancy and data replication across multiple sites, IBM Cloud File Storage ensures high availability and durability, minimizing downtime risks.
  • Integration
    Seamless integration with other IBM Cloud services and APIs enables easy management and use of IBM's broader cloud ecosystem.

Possible disadvantages of IBM Cloud File Storage

  • Cost
    The pricing model can be more expensive compared to some other cloud storage providers, particularly for small to medium-sized enterprises with limited budgets.
  • Complexity
    The initial setup and configuration can be complex, requiring careful planning and technical expertise, which might be challenging for organizations without a dedicated IT team.
  • Geographic Availability
    While IBM Cloud has a broad global presence, some regions may have limited availability, impacting latency and data regulations for certain users.
  • Vendor Lock-In
    Dependency on IBM's ecosystem could lead to vendor lock-in, making it more challenging to migrate services to another provider if needed in the future.
  • Learning Curve
    For teams unfamiliar with IBM's suite of tools and services, there might be a steeper learning curve compared to using more widely adopted platforms.

Azure File Storage features and specs

  • Scalability
    Azure File Storage can seamlessly scale up to support your data storage needs without sacrificing performance, ensuring that businesses can grow without concerns about storage limitations.
  • Managed Service
    As a fully managed service, Azure takes care of the maintenance, updates, and infrastructure, reducing administrative overhead for IT teams, and allowing them to focus on other business-critical tasks.
  • Integration
    Azure File Storage integrates well with other Microsoft products such as Windows Server and other Azure services, enabling a cohesive and efficient ecosystem for consistent and smooth user experiences.
  • Access Control
    Provides robust access control through Azure Active Directory, setting up specific permissions, ensuring that data remains secure and only accessible to authorized users.
  • Cross-platform Access
    Supports the SMB protocol, allowing access from various operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS, enabling diverse environments to interact seamlessly with the storage service.

Possible disadvantages of Azure File Storage

  • Cost
    Costs can accumulate rapidly, especially in scenarios involving large volumes of data, frequent access, or high redundancy, potentially leading to substantial operational expenses.
  • Complex Pricing Model
    The pricing model can be complex with various tiers and charges based on operations, data redundancy, and outbound data transfer, making it difficult to predict the exact costs effectively.
  • Latency
    While generally fast, there can be latency issues, particularly in situations where files are accessed from regions that are geographically distant from the storage location, affecting performance.
  • Limited Customization
    Compared to on-premise solutions, there is limited capacity for customization of the infrastructure and may not meet specific needs of certain businesses that require tailor-made setups.
  • Dependency on Internet Connectivity
    Azure File Storage relies on stable internet connectivity, which can be a risk for businesses situated in areas with unstable networks or outages, impacting the ability to access data.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to IBM Cloud File Storage and Azure File Storage)
Cloud Storage
36 36%
64% 64
Project Management
38 38%
62% 62
Work Collaboration
39 39%
61% 61
File Management
42 42%
58% 58

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Azure File Storage seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 14 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

IBM Cloud File Storage mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of IBM Cloud File Storage yet. Tracking of IBM Cloud File Storage recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Azure File Storage mentions (14)

  • A Step by Step Guide on How to Migrate from AWS to Azure
    If your workloads require shared storage, Azure Files is a nice pick. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Searching for online alternative for a synology
    Azure Files perhaps? Or if you need frequently accessed files to be quicker then Azure File Sync. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • How To Upload and Delete files in Azure Blob Storage Using Blazor Apps With .NET 7
    ​To know more details: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/storage/files/. - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago
  • Hosted, mappable storage?
    If you have a use case that affords any kind of budget, maybe consder Azure Files. It is an SMB share you access over the internet. Basically, windows file server but hardened and entirely managed by Microsoft. This is as hands-off as it gets for an SMB share. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Microsoft cloud drive options
    I have a client that (finally!) decided to go all-in on Azure; I had prepared the owner to expect additional costs based on their need for a file share -- I was expecting to have to use Azure Files. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing IBM Cloud File Storage and Azure File Storage, you can also consider the following products

Cyberduck - A libre FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Backblaze B2, Azure & OpenStack Swift browser.

Igloo Software - Igloo is a modern intranet, it connects people with the information they need to do their best work.

Google Cloud Resource Manager - Resource Manager provides methods that you can use to programmatically manage your projects on Google Cloud Platform.

Google Cloud Filestore - Fully-managed cloud file storage

HPE Nimble Storage - Hit the app-data gap? HPE Nimble Storage flash arrays and solutions with predictive analytics ensure fast, reliable access to data for data center and cloud applications.

WinSCP - WinSCP is an open source free SFTP client and FTP client for Windows.