> Documentation index: https://rift.sh/llms.txt

# Rift vs Archil

Archil is a fast shared disk for AI workloads. Rift shares single folders, encrypted so that whoever stores them cannot read them.

### What Archil is

Archil is a serverless filesystem for AI. A server mounts an Archil disk and uses it like a local drive. It is built for data that many servers and agents share. A disk can sync to your own S3 bucket, or it can have branches and checkpoints.

### How they differ

Archil shares by the disk. A server that is allowed to mount a disk can read all of it, and Archil manages the encryption keys. Rift shares by the folder and keeps the keys on your machines.

- Identity
  - Archil: A disk token, an AWS IAM principal or an S3 key.
  - Rift: A key that each machine and agent makes for itself. No account.

- Smallest share
  - Archil: A whole disk for anything that mounts it. A signed link can share one file, read-only, for up to seven days. A container the account holder launches can be limited to a subdirectory or to read-only.
  - Rift: A folder, a subfolder or one file, as read or write.

- Who checks access
  - Archil: Archil.
  - Rift: Each machine that receives a file checks the grant itself.

- Who can read your files
  - Archil: Archil, which manages the encryption keys for its storage. Data synced to your own S3 bucket follows that bucket's settings. Archil's home page also lists a bring-your-own-cloud option.
  - Rift: Only the machines you shared with. Rift Cloud holds ciphertext.

- When your machines are off
  - Archil: Files stay available from Archil.
  - Rift: Files stored in Rift Cloud stay available.

### Which to choose

Choose Archil when

- Many servers need one fast disk.
- Your data lives in S3 and should stay there.
- You want a managed service with an availability guarantee.

Choose Rift when

- Another party's agent should receive one folder and nothing else.
- Whoever stores the files must be unable to read them.
- The other side's agent should hold its own key and need no token from you.

Based on Archil's documentation, read in October 2026. Sources: [authorization](https://docs.archil.com/concepts/authorization) , [sharing disks](https://docs.archil.com/concepts/sharing-disks.md) , [share links](https://docs.archil.com/api-reference/disks/create-share-url.md) , [branches and checkpoints](https://docs.archil.com/concepts/branches-and-checkpoints.md) , [security](https://docs.archil.com/details/security.md) , [home page](https://archil.com) , [exec API](https://docs.archil.com/api-reference/serverless-execution/exec-multi.md).