Overview
Cloudflare's R2 object storage service is now generally available, providing developers with a cost-effective solution for data storage without egress fees. The service supports S3 compatibility, allowing easy migration and integration with existing applications, and is designed to break the traditional data transfer tax model of cloud storage.
What You'll Learn
1
How to use R2 for object storage without incurring egress fees
2
Why S3 compatibility is beneficial for migrating existing applications to R2
3
How to implement presigned URLs for secure user access to R2 objects
Key Questions Answered
What are the main features of Cloudflare's R2 object storage?
Cloudflare's R2 offers object storage without egress fees, S3 compatibility for easy migration, automatic region selection for bucket creation, and integration with Cloudflare Workers for enhanced functionality. It also supports presigned URLs for secure user access and has a transparent pricing model based on storage volume and operations.
How does R2 pricing work?
R2 pricing is based on three factors: storage volume at $0.015 per GB per month, Class A operations (writes, lists) at $4.50 per million, and Class B operations (reads) at $0.36 per million. Users can start with 10 GB-months of stored data and a certain number of operations for free.
What is the benefit of using presigned URLs in R2?
Presigned URLs allow developers to grant temporary access to specific objects in R2 without exposing the entire bucket. This is useful for securely sharing files or allowing uploads without compromising security, as permissions can be delegated for specific actions.
Key Statistics & Figures
Developers using R2 during open beta
over 12k
This rapid adoption reflects the strong demand for cost-effective object storage solutions.
Storage pricing
$0.015 / GB per month
This competitive rate allows developers to store data affordably without incurring additional egress costs.
Class A operations cost
$4.50 / million
This pricing structure is designed to keep operational costs predictable for developers.
Class B operations cost
$0.36 / million
This low cost for read operations further enhances the value proposition of using R2.
Technologies & Tools
Backend
R2
Object storage service that eliminates egress fees and supports S3 compatibility.
Backend
Cloudflare Workers
Allows developers to run custom logic at the edge, enhancing data handling with R2.
Key Actionable Insights
1Leverage R2's S3 compatibility to migrate existing applications seamlessly.By using the familiar S3 API, developers can transition their applications to R2 without significant code changes, thus reducing the time and effort involved in migration.
2Utilize presigned URLs to enhance security for user uploads and downloads.This feature allows developers to control access to specific objects, making it easier to manage permissions without exposing the entire storage bucket.
3Take advantage of R2's transparent pricing model to optimize costs.With no egress fees and a clear pricing structure based on storage and operations, developers can better predict and manage their cloud storage expenses.
Common Pitfalls
1
Assuming that R2 requires a specific region for bucket creation.
R2 automatically selects the closest available region, which simplifies the setup process and avoids unnecessary optimization decisions.
Related Concepts
Object Storage
Cloudflare Workers
S3 API
Presigned Urls