Storage
Storage mode, Starter Vault, and Pro are separate
Rabbithole uses several related concepts in the storage flow. They control different parts of the product:
- Storage mode decides where file bytes live.
- Starter Vault defines the starter encrypted storage limits.
- Pro adds service features for storage you already created.
Storage mode does not replace encryption or access control. File contents are encrypted in the browser before upload, and in both modes the storage canister keeps ownership, access rules, and trusted file records.
The full subscription feature list is on the What Rabbithole Pro gives you page.
For ordinary files, Blob Storage is usually the better fit: it is cheaper and handles large files more comfortably. Choose On-chain Storage when you want to avoid the external storage layer and cost or file size is not the main constraint.
Two storage modes
Blob Storage Recommended
Blob Storage keeps file bytes in external object storage, while your canister keeps the file record, access rules, and verification data. The external layer sees only encrypted bytes.
- About $0.05 per GB per month.
- Best for larger files and lower cost.
- The file is stored in external object storage.
- Your personal canister keeps access rules and file verification data.
- By default Caffeine Blob Storage holds the bytes and handles paying for the space. With Pro you can connect your own S3 bucket instead and pay your provider directly. It is the same mode either way — only who holds the bytes and who bills you changes.
On-chain Storage Advanced mode
On-chain Storage keeps the file directly inside your personal canister. There are fewer components to trust, but the cost is higher and the cycle balance matters more.
- About $1.04 per GB per month.
- Best for small, high-value files.
- The file is stored directly in your personal canister.
- There is no dependency on an external storage layer.
Comparison
The first two columns are the same Blob Storage mode; they differ only in who holds the encrypted bytes and who bills you. Connecting your own S3 bucket is a Pro feature.
These are rough estimates for comparison. Real storage cost can change over time.
Verification helps detect silent replacement of a file. It does not guarantee that a file will remain available forever. Availability depends on the storage mode, cycle balance, and retention rules of the selected storage service.
What stays the same in both modes
Both modes keep the same user model. The byte location changes; ownership and access keep the same meaning.
- Your personal canister keeps ownership, access rules, and trusted file records.
- Encrypted files are encrypted in the browser before upload.
- The canister checks permissions before file operations and key derivation.
- Starter Vault and Pro decide which encrypted uploads are allowed.
- Integrity verification remains part of the storage path.
What happens if Rabbithole is unavailable?
On-chain Storage: your file remains inside your canister as long as the canister stays funded with cycles.
Blob Storage: your canister still keeps the file record and the information needed to verify the file. File-byte availability depends on Blob Storage funding and retention policy.
The durable file record lives in your canister. Rabbithole helps you use it and manage service operations, but it does not become the data owner.