# Buildstash vs S3 comparison

Buildstash is a build-to-release and binary artifact management platform for software teams. This page compares Buildstash to S3 for teams considering alternatives.

**Buildstash is better for:** Having a purpose-built tool for managing software binaries and releases, with extensive integration support, and integrated features for collaboration, workflows, and distribution.

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## Summary

Amazon's S3 provides scalable object storage, with extensive integration support, allowing simple and relatively cost-effective storage of software binaries and other artifacts.

This also means that any tooling required to support workflows, collaboration, or distribution need to be custom-built, at considerable expense.

Buildstash is a platform purpose-built for build and release workflows, with extensive integration support, and integrated features for collaboration, workflows, and distribution. Teams can opt to either use provided storage, or connect their own - including S3-compatible storage.

## Key differences

- S3 is just storage, Buildstash is a purpose-built platform for build and release workflows.
- Buildstash offers flexible distribution options, including distribution groups, share links, and branded portals.
- Powerful custom workflows and automation capabilities are provided by Buildstash out of the box.

## What people like about S3

- Simple file storage, with extensive integration support.
- Relatively cost-effective for most use cases.

## What people don't like about S3

- It is just file storage, lacking a user interface designed for managing binaries and software, or functionality around collaboration or distribution.
- Not user-friendly for non-technical team members to use effectively.
- Requires building custom tooling for any more complex workflows.

## Feature comparison

| Feature | Buildstash | S3 | Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Universal software binary management | ✓ | ✓ | S3 stores any object; Buildstash adds release workflow and UX |
| Extensive CI/CD integrations | ✓ | ✓ | Both have good integration support; S3 often community supported |
| QA & sign-off workflows | ✓ | ✕ | Buildstash has QA workflows and approval flow |
| Agnosic distribution targets | ✓ | ✕ | Buildstash supports distribution; S3 is just storage |
| Artifact promotion workflows | ✓ | ✕ | S3 is just storage |
| Metadata management | ✓ | Partially | S3 can store any file; Buildstash has real metadata management |
| Retention policies | ✓ | Partially | S3 has lifecycle; Buildstash has powerful retention policies |
| Share links | ✓ | Partially | S3 has presigned URLs; Buildstash has simple share links in the UI |
| Branded download portals | ✓ | ✕ | Buildstash offers branded portals |
| Distribution groups | ✓ | ✕ | S3 is just storage |
| iOS & Android beta distribution | ✓ | ✕ | Buildstash has integrated beta distribution |
| Connect your own storage | ✓ | ✓ | Buildstash can use S3; S3 is the storage layer |
| Powerful API | ✓ | ✓ | Both have APIs |
| Webhooks | ✓ | Partially | S3 has events; Buildstash has webhooks |
| Automations | ✓ | ✕ | Buildstash has automations; S3 needs custom-built |
| Enterprise SSO | ✓ | Partially | Buildstash supports SSO; S3 uses IAM |

## Key facts: Amazon S3

- **Around since:** 2006
- **Similar to:** Cloudflare R2, Backblaze B2, etc
- **Best known for:** Durable, scalable object storage
- **Useful for:** Teams who just want raw storage and are happy to build custom tooling.
- **Buildstash is better for:** Having a purpose-built tool for managing software binaries and releases, with extensive integration support, and integrated features for collaboration, workflows, and distribution.

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Try Buildstash: https://app.buildstash.com/register
Docs: https://docs.buildstash.com