The Difference Between Proof-of-Spacetime & Proof-of-Replication

When we talk about verifiable storage, two phrases pop up a lot: Proof-of-Replication and Proof-of-Spacetime. These may sound like deep blockchain jargon—but they’re the core reason decentralized storage on DeStor and Filecoin is so powerful.

Let’s break them down in plain terms.

What Is Proof-of-Replication?

Proof-of-Replication (PoRep) is like a receipt for your file being accepted and stored uniquely by a storage provider.

• It proves that the provider has received your data.
• It proves that they’ve made a unique, sealed copy of it (not just duplicating someone else’s version).
• That sealed version is cryptographically bound to their physical storage hardware.

What Is Proof-of-Spacetime?

Proof-of-Spacetime (PoSt) is how providers prove they’re still storing your data over time.

• It’s submitted on a regular schedule (usually every 24 hours).
• It proves that the sealed file is still intact and available.
• If a provider fails to submit PoSt, they get penalized—automatically.

Why it matters: You don’t just get a promise at upload time—you get ongoing, verifiable assurance that your data is still where it should be.

The Big Picture: Why Both Matter

• PoRep answers: “Did this provider store the file in the first place?”
• PoSt answers: “Are they still storing it, exactly as agreed?”

Together, they form a powerful combo: one-time proof plus continuous proof. This is what enables verifiable, decentralized, and tamper-resistant storage—with no need to blindly trust your provider.

Want to see it in action?

→ Book a Filecoin DeStor demo
→ Watch this video on how working with Filecoin DeStor works