Your Files. Your Devices. No Middleman.
StardustFS unifies the storage across your own devices into a single, end-to-end encrypted file space. Upload and download from any device — your data stays on your hardware, never on a cloud server.
Why StardustFS?
Zero-Knowledge Privacy
Your files are encrypted on your device before anything leaves it. We never see your data — not even the file names.
Peer-to-Peer Transfer
Files travel directly between your devices — hole punching connects them straight through home routers and firewalls, with no port forwarding to set up. An encrypted relay steps in only when a direct link is truly impossible. No cloud server ever stores your data — no breaches, no surprise storage fees.
Multi-Device Access
Register your laptop and desktop, then reach your files from any of them. Device routing is handled automatically.
You Own Your Storage
Use the storage you already have. No monthly fees for space — your hard drives are your cloud.
Mutual Encrypted Backup
Files are split into encrypted chunks and replicated across a peer network — your own devices and, reciprocally, other users' devices. You host their ciphertext, they host yours, so a lost or offline device never means lost data. Hosts only ever hold chunks they cannot read — only you hold the keys.
StardustFS vs Cloud Storage
Traditional cloud storage uploads your files to someone else’s servers and holds the keys. StardustFS keeps them on your own devices, encrypted so only you can read them.
| Feature | Dropbox | iCloud | Google Drive | OneDrive | StardustFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where files are stored | Dropbox’s cloud servers | Apple’s iCloud servers | Google’s cloud servers | Microsoft’s cloud servers | Your own devices only |
| Who can access your data | Dropbox (and potentially law enforcement) | Apple (and potentially law enforcement) | Google (and potentially law enforcement) | Microsoft (and potentially law enforcement) | Only you |
| End-to-end encryption | No (encrypted at rest, but Dropbox holds the keys) | Optional (Advanced Data Protection, opt-in only) | No (encrypted at rest, but Google holds the keys) | No (encrypted at rest, but Microsoft holds the keys) | Yes (zero-knowledge by default) |
| File transfer method | Upload to cloud, download from cloud | Upload to cloud, download from cloud | Upload to cloud, download from cloud | Upload to cloud, download from cloud | Direct device-to-device (P2P) |
| Free storage | 2 GB | 5 GB | 15 GB (shared with Gmail/Photos) | 5 GB | Unlimited (your own disks) |
| Monthly cost for 2 TB | £9.99/month | £6.99/month | £7.99/month | £7.99/month (Microsoft 365) | Free |
| Data breach risk | Centralised target | Centralised target | Centralised target | Centralised target | No central store to breach |
| Works offline | Partial (synced files only) | Partial (synced files only) | Partial (synced files only) | Partial (synced files only) | Full access to local files |
Simple Pricing
No storage fees. Ever. You bring the storage, we handle the sync.
Free
- Up to 5 devices
- End-to-end encryption
- P2P file sync
- Encrypted metadata backup
- Community support
- Files kept in 2 places (original + 1 copy)
- Hosts up to 50% of peers' data (reciprocal)
Plus
- Unlimited devices
- End-to-end encryption
- P2P file sync
- Encrypted metadata backup
- Community support
- Advanced routing
- Files kept in 3 places (original + 2 copies)
- Reduced reciprocal hosting ratio
Max
- Unlimited devices
- End-to-end encryption
- P2P file sync
- Encrypted metadata backup
- Community support
- Advanced routing
- Files kept in 4 places (original + 3 copies)
- No reciprocal hosting required
Enterprise
- Unlimited devices per user
- End-to-end encryption
- P2P file sync
- Shared team folders
- Admin dashboard
- Dedicated support
- Files kept in 3+ places
- Copies shared among members only
Frequently Asked Questions
How does StardustFS differ from cloud storage?
Cloud services store your files on their servers. StardustFS keeps files on your own devices and syncs them directly between each other. The server only coordinates connections — it never sees your data.
What happens if my device is offline?
You still have full access to all files stored locally. When the device comes back online, it reconnects and syncs any changes with your other devices.
Can the StardustFS team read my files?
No. All files are encrypted on your device before any metadata leaves it. We operate on a zero-knowledge basis — we cannot decrypt your data even if compelled to.
What if I lose my device?
Your encrypted metadata and key backups are stored on our server. You can restore them on a new device using your backup password. The actual files remain on your other registered devices.
Do I need to keep all my devices online?
No. Files are available on whichever devices have them stored locally. Syncing only requires at least two devices to be online at the same time.
Is there a file size limit?
No. Since files transfer directly between your devices, there are no upload limits imposed by us. The only constraint is your own storage and network capacity.
Do other users store my data, and can I read theirs?
For redundancy, your encrypted backup chunks are replicated across a peer network — and in return your device hosts other users' chunks. Nobody can read what they host: every chunk is ciphertext, and only the owner holds the decryption key. Free accounts keep 2 backup copies and host up to 50% of peers' data reciprocally; paid accounts get more copies with a lower or waived hosting ratio; Enterprise accounts keep 3+ copies shared only among their own members.
Do I need to configure my router or set up port forwarding?
No. StardustFS uses UDP hole punching to open a direct path between your devices straight through most home routers and firewalls — no port forwarding, no manual network setup. If a particularly strict network blocks even that, an encrypted relay carries the transfer instead, so it keeps working. Either way the server only ever sees ciphertext.