**IPFS pinning services** are third-party platforms that help users keep their files available on the IPFS network by "pinning" content—keeping a persistent copy hosted on a server with reliable uptime.
Because IPFS content is only available as long as at least one node pins it, these services are essential for making sure files don't disappear from the network when local nodes go offline.
# Free Tier Options Many IPFS pinning services offer free tiers, which are useful for personal archives or distributed community efforts. Some notable services: - web3.storage: 5–10 GB free, backed by Filecoin and IPFS - **nft.storage**: Designed for NFTs, but can store general files (5+ GB free) - Pinata: 1 GB free, includes a UI and API - **Infura (IPFS Gateway)**: Used for access but also offers pinning via API - **Fleek**: Free tier with continuous deployment support for sites, pins content via IPFS
Limits and performance may vary, and usage beyond the free tier often requires a paid plan.
- web3.storage 
- nft.storage
- pinata.cloud
- infura.io
- fleek.xyz
# Combining Services with Homelabs A **redundant backup mesh** can be built by combining: - Free-tier pinning from multiple services - A local **homelab IPFS node** (e.g. a Raspberry Pi or NAS running go-ipfs or Kubo) - Community-run pinning nodes by trusted allies or institutions Each node can: 1. Pin the same content hash (`CID`) 2. Periodically verify availability (via IPFS API or tools like `ipfs pin ls` and `ipfs dag stat`) 3. Optionally mirror content to other protocols (e.g. Filecoin, Arweave, torrent)
# Strategy for Distributed Archiving - **Push to all free-tier pinning services** using APIs or tools like `ipfs-deploy` - **Sync from a homelab** node using `ipfs-cluster` or custom scripts - **Redundantly mirror across regions**, devices, and institutions - **Use content-addressing** to verify integrity across all nodes This approach is ideal for digital preservation efforts like Space Archives, activist archives, research datasets, and public domain cultural collections.
# Tools and Automation
- **ipfs-deploy**: Simple deployment to IPFS and pinning services
- **ipfs-cluster**: Coordinates pinsets across multiple IPFS nodes
- **Rclone + IPFS**: Sync large folders from cloud or drives into IPFS
- **Watchdog scripts**: Verify pin presence and alert if nodes go missing
By combining multiple free and self-hosted nodes, even small communities can maintain resilient and censorship-resistant archives.
- github.com
- github.com
- rclone.org