> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sia.tech/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sia.tech/get-started-with-sia/sia-software-overview.md). # Which Sia software do I need? There are several pieces of Sia software, each for a different job. Use this page to find the one that matches what you want to do. | I want to… | Use | | --------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Store and manage files the easy way | The **Sia Storage app** (desktop, mobile) with a [Sia Storage](https://sia.storage) account — 50 GB free | | Use Sia through an S3-compatible API | [`s3d`](https://github.com/SiaFoundation/s3d), connected to an indexer such as Sia Storage | | Build my own app | The [Sia Storage SDKs](https://devs.sia.storage) | | Run the indexer myself instead of using Sia Storage | [`indexd`](/store-your-data/setting-up-indexd.md) — requires PostgreSQL | | Provide storage and earn Siacoin | [`hostd`](/provide-storage/about-hosting-on-sia.md) | | Hold and manage Siacoin | [`walletd`](/wallet/wallet-overview.md) | | Run the older all-in-one renter | [`renterd`](/store-your-data/setting-up-renterd.md) — no longer the preferred way to store data | ## How the pieces fit together To store data on Sia you run a **client** that connects to an **indexer**. The client encrypts your files and moves them to and from storage providers; the indexer manages contracts and keeps your data healthy. By itself, an indexer like Sia Storage doesn't store your files — you need a client to use it. See [About Storing Your Data](/store-your-data/about-renting.md) for more. ### Clients — how you use Sia storage * **Sia Storage app** — desktop and mobile apps for storing and retrieving files. Point it at an indexer; a Sia Storage account is the easiest option. * **`s3d`** — a lightweight, S3-compatible gateway. It translates the AWS S3 API to Sia and connects to an indexer such as Sia Storage, so existing S3 tools and applications can use Sia storage. * **Sia Storage SDKs** — client libraries (Rust, Go, Python, JavaScript) for building your own app. The Sia Storage app and `s3d` are currently the only ready-made clients. ### Indexer — the backend * **Sia Storage** — a hosted indexer. It manages contracts and keeps your data healthy for you, with 50 GB free and nothing to run. Recommended for most people. * **`indexd`** — the indexer software, for running the backend yourself instead of using Sia Storage. Requires PostgreSQL. ### Other software * **`hostd`** — storage-provider software. Stores encrypted data for the network and earns Siacoin. * **`walletd`** — a standalone wallet for Siacoin and Siafunds, with Ledger support. * **`renterd`** — the original all-in-one renter (wallet, contracts, and an upload/download UI in one program). Still works, but no longer the preferred way to store data. ## Glossary * **Renter** — anyone storing data on Sia. The renter forms and pays for storage contracts; today an indexer fills this role on your behalf. * **Storage provider (host)** — an operator running `hostd` that stores encrypted data and earns Siacoin. * **Client** — software you run to store and retrieve files, such as the Sia Storage app or `s3d`. A client connects to an indexer. * **Indexer** — the backend that manages contracts, tracks where data lives, and keeps it healthy. Sia Storage is a hosted indexer; `indexd` is the software for running your own. * **Contract** — a blockchain-enforced agreement between a renter and a storage provider covering how much data to store, for how long, and at what price. * **Object** — the application-level view of a stored file: its data, metadata, and storage layout under a single content-derived ID. * **Slab** — a unit of an object's data that is erasure-coded into shards. * **Shard** — one erasure-coded, encrypted piece of a slab, stored by a single provider. * **Erasure coding** — a method of splitting data into redundant pieces so the original can be rebuilt from a subset of them. * **Siacoin (SC)** — the network's utility token, used to pay for storage. * **Siafund** — a separate token that receives a fee from storage contracts. * **Recovery phrase (seed)** — the secret words that control a wallet and let you recover it. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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