# Moving from IPFS to Swarm || Ramesh Pallikara

- Channel: [Swarm](https://streameth.org/swarm)
- Date: 2024-06-24
- Duration: 21:21
- Topics: blockchain, developers, data science, decentralized, privacy
- Watch: https://streameth.org/watch/667540970d49d6570f10f457
- Download: https://vod-cdn.lp-playback.studio/raw/jxf4iblf6wlsyor6526t4tcmtmqa/catalyst-vod-com/hls/cb1c0t9e02fmdidx/1080p0.mp4

## Description

A talk that focuses on what everyone needs to know about IPFS and Swarm, its pros and cons and how to use Swarm instead of IPFS. The video features Ramesh, a developer relations representative at Swarm, who has over 20 years of full-stack development experience and has been working with IPFS and Swarm for nearly three years. He discusses the benefits of using Swarm as an alternative to IPFS for certain drawbacks users may encounter. Ramesh clarifies that while he appreciates IPFS, he believes Swarm offers superior solutions for data availability, download speeds, and decentralization without the need for constant node operation or reliance on third-party services.

He explains the technical aspects of IPFS, including its content addressing system through CIDs (content identifiers) and IPNS (Interplanetary Name Service) for mutable pointers to content. Addressing misconceptions about IPFS, he notes that it is not entirely free unless users run their own nodes or use pinning services with limitations.

Ramesh then compares Swarm to IPFS in terms of atomic units, download speeds, censorship resistance, privacy, payment systems, and incentives for running nodes. He clarifies terminology differences between the two platforms regarding pinning and CIDs.

The video also includes a tutorial on migrating from IPFS to Swarm using command-line tools and libraries like BJS for dApps. Ramesh invites viewers to try out Swarm and join their Discord