How does Cloudflare R2 compare with Amazon S3?

How does Cloudflare R2 compare with Amazon S3?

Cloudflare R2 and Amazon S3 are object-storage services that can hold application files such as wedding photographs. They share useful API concepts, but choosing between them requires examining the application's actual operations, delivery pattern, and integration needs.

Check compatibility for the required operations

R2 provides an S3-compatible API, which allows supported operations to work with many S3 clients and SDKs. Compatibility does not mean that every S3 feature, header, or service integration behaves identically. Consult the R2 compatibility matrix for the operations you plan to use.

List the gallery's requirements before comparing providers: uploads, object metadata checks, private downloads, deletion, and any processing integrations. Verify these paths with a small implementation instead of assuming that changing the endpoint completes a migration.

Compare the full usage pattern

R2 does not charge egress bandwidth fees for data leaving its storage service, but storage and operation charges can still apply. Additional services can introduce their own costs. Review R2 pricing alongside the chosen S3 setup.

Estimate retained photo volume, upload frequency, gallery views, thumbnails, and requests. Avoid declaring either option universally cheaper without modeling those factors and checking current pricing.

Evaluate fit beyond the storage bill

Consider where the application already runs, what the team understands, and which operational controls are needed. A team using a broader cloud ecosystem may value established integrations differently from a small application seeking a straightforward storage API.

Keep provider-specific details behind a clear application interface where practical. Store durable object references and document assumptions about permissions and metadata. The better choice is the service that supports the gallery's requirements with a manageable implementation and an understood operating cost.