Contabo Object Storage Explained: Affordable Cloud Storage Alternative to AWS S3
Cloud storage has become the backbone of modern businesses. From start-ups running automation platforms to enterprises managing large datasets, every organization needs a secure, scalable, and affordable way to store and retrieve files.
For years, Amazon S3 has been the dominant player in this space. But while AWS S3 offers scalability and reliability, it also comes with hefty costs, complex pricing tiers, and hidden fees that often surprise smaller businesses.
That’s where Contabo Object Storage steps in. Offering a simple, flat-rate pricing model with generous storage and bandwidth, Contabo has positioned itself as one of the most affordable cloud storage alternatives to AWS S3 in 2025.
In this blog, we’ll break down what Contabo Object Storage is, how it works, how it compares to AWS S3, and why it’s a great option for developers, automation enthusiasts, and businesses of all sizes.
What is Object Storage?
Before diving into Contabo’s product, let’s understand the basics.
Object storage is a type of cloud storage designed to handle large amounts of unstructured data—think images, videos, backups, and logs. Unlike block or file storage, where data is stored in hierarchies (folders, drives), object storage stores data as “objects,” each with:
- Data (the actual content, e.g., a photo).
- Metadata (information about the data, like file type, size, or owner).
- Unique identifier (so the object can be retrieved easily).
This design makes object storage scalable, flexible, and cost-effective, which is why it has become the backbone of modern cloud services.
Introducing Contabo Object Storage
Contabo Object Storage provides businesses and developers with affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use cloud storage. It’s S3-compatible, meaning it integrates seamlessly with existing AWS S3 tools, SDKs, and APIs.
Key Features of Contabo Object Storage:
- ✅ S3-compatible API: Works with the same tools you’d use for AWS S3.
- ✅ Flat-rate pricing: Transparent and affordable, with no surprise costs.
- ✅ Scalability: Store terabytes of data without worrying about limits.
- ✅ Global data centers: Multiple locations for redundancy and low latency.
- ✅ High availability: Designed for uptime and reliability.
Pricing: Contabo Object Storage vs AWS S3
Pricing is where Contabo truly shines.
Contabo Object Storage Pricing :
- €2.96/month → 250 GB storage, 2 TB traffic
- €11.85/month → 2 TB storage, 5 TB traffic
- €59.26/month → 5 TB storage, 10 TB traffic
👉 Flat monthly fees, no hidden costs.
AWS S3 Pricing (2025, US-East region):
- $0.023/GB/month for the first 50 TB → 1 TB = $23/month
- Extra costs for data transfer out ($0.09/GB after 1 GB)
- Additional charges for API requests (PUT, GET, LIST)
👉 Costs increase rapidly as usage grows, especially for high traffic.
Example:
Storing 2 TB with 5 TB traffic:
- AWS S3 → ~$200+/month
- Contabo → €9.99/month (~$11)
Result: Contabo is up to 20x cheaper than AWS S3 for similar workloads.
Use Cases for Contabo Object Storage
1. Backups and Disaster Recovery
Store server snapshots, application backups, and critical files affordably.
2. Media Storage
Perfect for video platforms, image-heavy websites, or SaaS apps needing large file storage.
3. Automation and Logs
Integrate with automation tools (n8n, UiPath, Zapier) to store logs, workflow data, or output files.
4. AI and ML Datasets
Affordable storage for training datasets without the high costs of AWS.
5. Hosting Static Websites
Deploy static sites (HTML, CSS, JS) directly on object storage buckets.
Contabo Object Storage vs AWS S3: Key Differences
| Feature | Contabo Object Storage | AWS S3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Flat, predictable | Complex, variable |
| Cost | Extremely low | Expensive at scale |
| Traffic | Free allowance (up to 10 TB) | Charged separately |
| API Compatibility | Fully S3-compatible | Native |
| Ease of Use | Simple, transparent plans | Complex setup, billing |
| Best For | SMBs, startups, automation developers | Enterprises with unlimited budgets |
Why Choose Contabo Object Storage?
- Cost Savings
- Drastically cheaper than AWS S3—especially for high-volume traffic.
- Developer-Friendly
- S3 API compatibility means easy migration from AWS.
- Scalable
- Plans up to 5 TB storage with 10 TB traffic included.
- Global Infrastructure
- Multiple data centers across Europe, US, and Asia.
- Great for SMBs & Startups
- Transparent pricing makes budgeting easier for small businesses.
When Should You Still Consider AWS S3?
While Contabo is a fantastic option, AWS S3 still has advantages:
- Massive ecosystem: Integration with AWS Lambda, Redshift, SageMaker.
- Enterprise-level SLAs: Ideal for regulated industries.
- More storage tiers: (e.g., Glacier for archival).
👉 If you’re deeply tied to AWS services, sticking with S3 may still make sense.
Final Verdict: Contabo Object Storage in 2025
If you’re a developer, automation enthusiast, or business looking for affordable cloud storage without the AWS bill shock, Contabo Object Storage is an excellent choice.
It offers:
- S3 compatibility
- Predictable pricing
- High availability
- Easy scalability
At a fraction of the cost of AWS, Contabo is perfect for backups, SaaS apps, and automation workflows (read our Best Hosting Services for Automation Platforms to see why we recommend it for developers).
👉 Ready to try it out? Check Contabo Object Storage Plans here
