Can Stow take uploads from my users’ browsers?

Not directly. Stow keys stay on your server, so a browser upload goes through your own backend, which passes the file on. UploadThing is built for direct browser uploads, with components for most TypeScript frameworks.

Does UploadThing have search?

Its docs describe listing files by id and key, and recommend storing file details in your own database. Stow searches by tags, text, folder and type in one call.

For plain storage, UploadThing: $10 a month for 100 GB. Stow Pro is $19 a month for 100 GB and 50,000 files, and adds search and automatic transcripts, summaries and tags.

In UploadThing, each app has a default (public or private), and private files are on paid plans. In Stow, you choose for each file when you upload it, on every plan.

Stow vs UploadThing

UploadThing makes it easy to let your users upload files from the browser in TypeScript apps, with ready-made components and type-safe routes. Stow (usestow.com) is a library your servers, scripts and AI agents upload to, with search, private files on every plan, and automatic transcripts and tags on Pro.

Checked October 28, 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm the details on UploadThing’s own site before you decide.

At a glance

Topic	Stow	UploadThing
What it is	A hosted library for the files and data your apps and AI agents use, with one HTTP API.	File uploads for full-stack TypeScript apps: type-safe file routes, ready-made upload components, and file hosting.
Uploading	One request with a file or with text as JSON. The file type is detected from its contents. Up to 25 MB per file. Keys stay on your server, so uploads from a browser go through your own backend.	Straight from your users’ browsers, with components and guides for Next.js, Astro, SvelteKit, Nuxt, Expo and more.
Finding files	Built-in search by tags (including key:value tags), text, folder and file type.	No search. Listing returns file ids and keys, and the docs recommend keeping file details in your own database.
Private files	Upload with visibility set to private: the file gets no link at all, and only your keys can read it. On every plan.	A default set per app, which uploads can override if you allow it. Private files, read through signed URLs lasting up to 7 days, are on paid plans only.
Automatic analysis	On Pro and Scale: audio transcripts, summaries and tags, written automatically.	None documented.
AI agents	A plain HTTPS API any agent can call. A Stow MCP server is in early access.	We found no official MCP server; community-made ones exist.
File size	Up to 25 MB per file.	Set per route and file type. Defaults: 4 MB images, 16 MB video, 8 MB audio, 4 MB PDFs.
Free plan	Free: 500 files, 1 GB, 10,000 requests a day, 2 apps.	2 GB of storage, shared between all your apps, with unlimited uploads and downloads.
Paid pricing	Pro $19 a month (50,000 files, 100 GB, 10 apps). Scale $49 a month (500,000 files, 1,000 GB, unlimited apps).	$10 a month for 100 GB, with private files and regions. Usage-based: $25 a month for 250 GB, then $0.08 per GB.

What each does better

Where UploadThing is stronger

Uploads straight from your users’ browsers, with ready-made components and type-safe routes. Stow is an API, not an upload kit.
Simple, low pricing: $10 a month for 100 GB, with unlimited uploads and downloads stated.
Larger files, with limits you set per route.
Ten regions to choose from on paid plans.

Where Stow is stronger

Search by tags, text, folder and type, without keeping your own database of files.
Automatic transcripts, summaries and tags on Pro.
Private files on every plan, Free included.
Made for several apps and AI agents sharing one library, each with its own key and folder.
An MCP server (in early access) for agents to upload, search and read files.

Which to choose

Choose UploadThing if

Your users upload files from the browser in a TypeScript app, and you want that handled for you.
You only need storage and links, and you’ll keep file details in your own database.
Your files are bigger than 25 MB.

Choose Stow if

Files come from your servers, scripts and AI agents rather than from users’ browsers.
You want to search your files without building that yourself.
You need private files on a free plan, or transcripts and tags done for you.

Questions

Can Stow take uploads from my users’ browsers?: Not directly. Stow keys stay on your server, so a browser upload goes through your own backend, which passes the file on. UploadThing is built for direct browser uploads, with components for most TypeScript frameworks.
Does UploadThing have search?: Its docs describe listing files by id and key, and recommend storing file details in your own database. Stow searches by tags, text, folder and type in one call.
Which costs less?: For plain storage, UploadThing: $10 a month for 100 GB. Stow Pro is $19 a month for 100 GB and 50,000 files, and adds search and automatic transcripts, summaries and tags.
Are files private?: In UploadThing, each app has a default (public or private), and private files are on paid plans. In Stow, you choose for each file when you upload it, on every plan.

Sources

Checked October 28, 2026.

Try Stow free

The free plan holds 500 files for up to 2 apps, with no card needed. Upgrade when you want more room, or automatic transcripts, summaries and tags.

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