What is object storage and how does it differ from traditional block storageWhat is object storage and how does it differ from traditional block storage

As businesses struggle to handle ever-growing volumes of data, while also becoming more reliant on cloud-based systems, more IT professionals, cloud architects and data storage specialists are turning to object storage.

Unlike traditional block storage, which stores data in fixed-size blocks suited to structured tasks such as databases, object storage offers greater scalability and flexibility — is also easier access through APIs.

Understanding the differences between object storage and traditional storage systems is essential for choosing the right solution to meet your data needs. In this article we’ll explain:

• How object storage works.

• How it compares to block storage in terms of performance, cost, scalability and access.

• The advantages of object storage and traditional storage.

• Why object storage solutions such as those offered by Nebius could be the best solution for you.

Whether you’re managing a growing media library, backing up large datasets or building cloud-native applications, this guide will help you make an informed decision for your storage strategy.

What is object storageWhat is object storage

In object storage, data is organized into discrete units or objects, each containing the data itself, metadata and a unique identifier. This is different to traditional block storage, where files and data are divided and split into equally sized folders or blocks. This makes data easier to find and manage, making object storage increasingly important in the data storage industry.

Unlike block storage, object storage is highly scalable, customizable and perfectly suited to holding large amounts of unstructured data such as photos, videos and backups. It’s also designed to be reliable and durable, with copies of data often stored in different places to prevent loss.

Object storage is commonly used in:

• Cloud services such as the solutions provided by Nebius.

• Media libraries used by streaming platforms.

• Solutions for backing up files.

Its ability to scale, store many kinds of data and keep it safe makes object storage a popular choice for many businesses and online services.

You can read more about how Nebius helps managinh the process of bulk object storage data migration and efficiently move large datasets between S3 buckets. S3 is Amazon Web Services’ cloud implementation of object storage, the first of its kind, originating back in 2006.

What is traditional storageWhat is traditional storage

In block storage, files are split into evenly sized blocks of data, each with its own address. These blocks are managed by a server and pieced back together when accessed.

Block storage is fast, reliable and ideal for structured applications such as databases or virtual machines which need consistent, low-latency performance. By contrast, file storage saves data in a more familiar format, using a hierarchical structure with folders and directories — much like how files are stored your PC.

While file and block storage have long been standard solutions, they can be difficult to scale.

Where data needs to be accessed quickly, especially unstructured content such as images or video, traditional storage systems often struggle to keep up.

This has led to a demand for more scalable and flexible storage options such as Nebius’ object storage solutions, which better suit today’s cloud-based and data-heavy environments.

Object storage vs traditional storage: key differencesObject storage vs traditional storage: key differences

Understanding the differences between block storage and object storage is key when deciding which solution best suits your business.

Data structureData structure

Object storage and traditional storage differ in how they store and manage data. In object storage, data is kept as individual units or objects. Each object contains the data itself, a unique identifier and descriptive metadata that helps to manage and retrieve the object. This flat structure makes object storage ideal for storing large amounts of unstructured data such as images, videos or backups.

More traditional approaches to storing data are block and file storage. Block storage is most commonly used for databases — it breaks data into fixed-size blocks, which are stored separately and reassembled by the system when needed. File storage organizes data in a hierarchical format, using directories and folders, similar to what you see on a desktop computer.

ScalabilityScalability

Object storage offers greater stability and scalability compared to traditional storage systems. It’s designed to scale horizontally — that is, storage capacity can grow simply by adding more nodes or devices, without disrupting performance or requiring major system changes. This makes it especially well-suited for managing large volumes of unstructured data in modern cloud environments.

By contrast, traditional storage methods such as block and file storage rely on fixed hardware configurations. Scaling these systems often involves complex setups, expensive infrastructure upgrades or downtime, making them less flexible and harder to maintain as data demands grow.

Block storage, while high-performing for certain tasks such as databases, is limited by its structure and hardware. File storage also struggles with performance and scale once directories and files become too large. For businesses dealing with rapid data growth, object storage provides a more stable, cost-effective and future-ready solution than traditional storage architectures.

Access methodsAccess methods

Object storage and traditional storage differ significantly in how data is accessed. Object storage uses web-based protocols such as HTTP or HTTPS, and is typically accessed through RESTful APIs. This makes it easy to integrate with cloud applications, support remote access and scale globally across distributed environments. Each object can be retrieved directly using its unique identifier, making access simple and efficient, especially for large volumes of unstructured data.

Traditional storage relies on local or network-based storage protocols such as iSCSI for block storage or NFS and SMB for file storage. These protocols are designed for use within local data centers and require direct network connections, which limits accessibility in distributed systems.

While traditional methods are suitable for structured workloads such as databases or virtual machines, they lack the flexibility and remote accessibility offered by object storage. For cloud-native applications and modern workflows, object storage solutions such as those provided by Nebius offer more scalable, efficient and globally accessible data access.

PerformancePerformance

Object storage and traditional storage offer different performance strengths based on the type of data and workload. Object storage is optimized for storing and retrieving large volumes of unstructured data, such as images, videos and backups. It’s designed for high scalability and flexibility, making it ideal for cloud applications and big data environments.

However, because it accesses data via HTTP and RESTful APIs, object storage may have higher latency and is not typically used for high-speed transactions or real-time updates.

Traditional storage, including block and file storage, generally delivers better performance for structured and smaller datasets. In particular, block storage offers low-latency and high-speed access, making it ideal for databases, virtual machines and other applications requiring fast read/write operations. File storage also provides reliable performance in environments where users need to frequently access and modify files.

While object storage excels in scale and flexibility, traditional storage often provides faster access for transactional workloads.

CostCost

Object storage is generally more cost-effective than traditional storage because it’s designed to run on standard hardware and handle large volumes of unstructured data. Its flat architecture and use of RESTful APIs reduce the need for complex infrastructure, making it easier and cheaper to scale. This makes object storage a popular choice for cloud providers and businesses managing big data, backups or media libraries.

Traditional storage systems, such as block and file storage, often require more expensive, specialized hardware and complex management. Block storage, while high-performing, can be costly due to its need for low-latency connections and high-speed disks. File storage also becomes more expensive to manage as data grows, particularly when dealing with performance demands or large file hierarchies. Additionally, traditional storage can involve higher operational and maintenance costs.

For organizations seeking affordable, scalable storage, especially in cloud environments, object storage typically offers a more budget-friendly solution.

What role will object storage play in the future of data storageWhat role will object storage play in the future of data storage

Object storage is increasingly seen as the essential part of the future of data storage because it offers unmatched scalability, flexibility and efficiency.

Unlike traditional storage systems, object storage allows businesses to store massive amounts of unstructured data, such as images, videos and backups, without the need for complex infrastructure.

It scales horizontally, meaning organizations can simply add more storage nodes as needed, making it ideal for fast-growing data environments. Its cost efficiency is another major advantage, as it runs on standard hardware and requires less maintenance, helping businesses reduce both capital and operational expenses.

Object storage also offers high durability and availability through built-in redundancy mechanisms, such as replicating data across multiple locations or devices. This ensures that critical data is safe and accessible even during hardware failures.

In today’s cloud-first world, object storage is designed for remote access using HTTP and RESTful APIs, making it ideal for distributed teams and applications that operate across regions.

Its flexibility, affordability and cloud-readiness make object storage the go-to solution for modern businesses and a cornerstone of future data infrastructure.

As data volumes continue to grow, object storage provides the stability and adaptability needed to meet evolving digital demands.

If you are choosing the most fitting storage solution for deep learning, you can find more guidance and advice in our blog.

How does object storage workHow does object storage work

To understand the question ‘how does object storage work? ’, it’s important to understand that data is organized into discrete units called objects. Each object contains the data itself, a unique identifier and extensive metadata.

Unlike traditional storage systems that use file hierarchies or block locations, metadata in object storage plays a crucial role by providing detailed information about the data, such as its content type, creation date and custom tags.

This makes it easy to search, categorize and retrieve data efficiently even at massive scale.

Another key feature of object storage is its built-in redundancy and replication. Data is automatically copied and stored across multiple devices or geographic locations, ensuring high availability and durability. If one storage node fails, the data remains accessible from another, greatly reducing the risk of loss.

Access to object storage is typically handled through RESTful APIs using standard web protocols such as HTTP or HTTPS. These APIs allow seamless integration with modern cloud-based applications and services, enabling developers to interact with storage directly through software without needing to manage the underlying infrastructure. This approach supports automation, remote access and global scalability.

Overall, object storage solutions such as those offered by Nebius are a powerful and efficient solution for storing large volumes of unstructured data in today’s digital and cloud-driven world.

ConclusionConclusion

As businesses continue to generate and manage increasing volumes of data, choosing the right storage solution is more important than ever. Object storage offers a modern, scalable and cost-effective alternative to traditional block storage, especially for unstructured data and cloud-based applications.

Its flexible architecture, metadata-driven organization and seamless API integration make it ideal for long-term storage, backups, media libraries and big data workloads. With built-in redundancy and high availability, object storage ensures that critical data remains secure and accessible at all times.

For organizations aiming to future-proof their data infrastructure, object storage provides the performance, reliability and scalability needed to support ongoing digital growth.

Whether you’re running a startup or scaling an enterprise, exploring object storage solutions can help you meet today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s demands.

By adopting object storage and exploring solutions such as those offered by Nebius, you invest in a technology designed to evolve with your business and thrive in a cloud-first world.