Two Different Problems
At first glance, TimeProof and Arweave seem to do the same thing: put your files on the blockchain. But they solve fundamentally different problems:
Arweave answers: “Where can I store this file so it’s accessible forever?” TimeProof answers: “How can I prove this file existed at a specific time?”
These are different questions with different implications for cost, privacy, and use cases.
How They Work
Arweave: Permanent Storage
- You upload your entire file to the Arweave network
- The file is replicated across hundreds of nodes worldwide
- You pay a one-time “endowment” fee based on file size
- The file is permanently accessible via an Arweave URL
- Anyone can view/download the file forever
- The file cannot be deleted — permanence is absolute
TimeProof: Proof of Existence
- Your file generates a SHA-256 hash in your browser (file never uploaded)
- The 32-byte hash is included in a Merkle tree
- The Merkle root is anchored to the Polygon blockchain
- You keep your original file privately
- You can prove the file existed at the anchor time
- The file stays under your control — share it when and if you choose
Comparison Table
| Feature | TimeProof | Arweave |
|---|---|---|
| What’s stored on-chain | 32-byte hash (via Merkle root) | Entire file |
| File privacy | Complete — file never leaves your device | None — file is publicly accessible |
| Cost per file | 1 scheduled credit or 2 verified instant credits | $0.01-$50+ depending on size |
| Cost for 1GB file | Same credit cost as any file; content size does not change the TimeProof charge | ~$5-$15 at current rates |
| Delete/remove | File is yours to manage | Impossible — permanence is absolute |
| Identity attestation | Yes (Legal-Grade) | No built-in identity layer |
| Court-ready evidence | Yes (Legal-Grade bundle) | No built-in legal framework |
| Verification method | Hash match + blockchain lookup | Download from Arweave URL |
| Blockchain | Polygon (proof-of-stake) | Arweave (proof-of-access) |
| Speed | Seconds (verified instant) | Minutes to hours |
| GDPR compatibility | Yes — no personal data on-chain | Problematic — data can’t be deleted |
The Privacy Dimension
This is the most significant difference and often the deciding factor:
Arweave: Public and permanent
When you upload a file to Arweave, it becomes part of the permaweb. Anyone with the transaction ID can access the full file. You cannot delete it, restrict access, or control distribution. For public content (open-source code, published articles, NFT media), this is a feature. For private content (business plans, legal documents, unreleased creative work), this is a critical problem.
TimeProof: Private and controlled
Your file never leaves your device. The blockchain stores only a 32-byte hash that reveals nothing about the file’s contents, format, size, or nature. You control when, how, and to whom you share your file. The proof exists on the blockchain; the file exists wherever you choose.
GDPR implications
The GDPR’s “right to erasure” (Article 17) requires that personal data can be deleted upon request. Arweave’s permanent storage creates a GDPR compliance challenge for any data that might contain personal information. TimeProof’s hash-only approach has no GDPR issue — a hash is not personal data.
Cost Analysis
Small file (10KB document)
- TimeProof: 1 credit for scheduled timestamps or 2 credits for verified instant timestamps
- Arweave: ~$0.001-$0.01
For tiny files, Arweave’s storage cost is negligible. TimeProof is still competitive because the proof infrastructure (Merkle tree, certificate, verification) adds value beyond raw storage.
Medium file (10MB image)
- TimeProof: 1 credit for scheduled timestamps or 2 credits for verified instant timestamps
- Arweave: ~$0.05-$0.50
Costs converge. TimeProof’s flat pricing (regardless of file size) becomes advantageous.
Large file (1GB video)
- TimeProof: 1 credit for scheduled timestamps or 2 credits for verified instant timestamps
- Arweave: ~$5-$15
TimeProof’s cost advantage is enormous for large files. Since TimeProof stores only the hash, file size is irrelevant to cost.
Portfolio (1,000 mixed files)
- TimeProof: 1,000 scheduled credits or 2,000 verified instant credits, depending on how urgently you need the anchors
- Arweave: $50-$5,000+ depending on file sizes
For large portfolios with mixed file sizes, TimeProof’s predictable per-file pricing is significantly more economical.
When to Choose Each
Choose TimeProof when:
- You need proof that files existed at specific times
- You need privacy — files must remain confidential
- You need legal evidence — court-ready bundles with identity attestation
- You have large files — cost is independent of file size
- You need GDPR compliance — no personal data on-chain
- You want individual file control — share selectively
Choose Arweave when:
- You need permanent public access to files
- You want decentralized storage — files accessible without centralized servers
- You’re building web3 applications that reference on-chain data
- You’re storing NFT media that must be immutably linked to tokens
- The files are already public and you want guaranteed availability
Use both when:
- You need proof of existence (TimeProof) AND permanent public access (Arweave)
- Example: An artist timestamps their work for legal protection, then stores the published version on Arweave for permanent portfolio access
Different Tools, Different Jobs
Arweave is a storage solution. TimeProof is a proof solution. Comparing them directly is like comparing a safe deposit box to a notary — both relate to document security, but they serve different purposes.
For most creators, professionals, and businesses seeking proof of file existence, timeline evidence, and legal-grade documentation, TimeProof’s approach — private, affordable, and evidence-focused — is the right fit. Arweave serves a different (and valid) need: permanent, decentralized, public data availability.