Session Storage and Local Storage are both browser storage technologies, but they keep information for different lengths of time.
Session Storage is normally connected to one browser tab and page session. Local Storage can remain available after the browser closes and may be shared between tabs from the same website origin.
In this guide, you’ll learn the key differences between Session Storage and Local Storage, how websites use each method, and why privacy considerations depend on the purpose of the stored information.
Session Storage normally stores temporary data for one browser tab and removes it when the tab session ends. Local Storage usually remains between visits until the website, visitor, or browser removes it. Neither method sends data to a server automatically.
Session Storage vs Local Storage: Quick Comparison
The main differences are how long the data remains and whether it is available across multiple browser tabs.
| Feature | Session Storage | Local Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Typical lifetime | Current browser tab session | Remains between visits until removed |
| After the tab closes | Normally removed | Normally remains stored |
| Shared between tabs | Normally no | Usually yes, for the same website origin |
| Sent automatically to the server | No | No |
| Accessed by website scripts | Yes | Yes |
| Common use | Temporary form, checkout, or page state | Preferences and longer-term browser data |
| Consent considerations | Depend on purpose | Depend on purpose |
What Is Session Storage?
Session Storage is a browser feature used to save temporary information during one page session.
It is normally linked to one browser tab. The website can read the stored information while the visitor moves between pages from the same origin inside that tab.
Common uses include:
- remembering progress in a multi-step form;
- keeping temporary checkout information;
- saving search filters during one browsing session;
- remembering the current step in an online tool;
- maintaining temporary interface settings;
- avoiding repeated notices during one tab session.
When the visitor closes the tab, the Session Storage data is normally removed.
Read our complete guide explaining what Session Storage is for more details.
What Is Local Storage?
Local Storage is another browser feature that allows a website to save information on the visitor’s device.
Unlike Session Storage, Local Storage normally remains after the visitor closes the tab or browser. The information can still be available when the visitor returns later.
Websites commonly use it to remember:
- dark or light mode;
- language and display preferences;
- dismissed messages;
- saved tool settings;
- recently viewed items;
- progress in browser-based applications.
Local Storage normally remains until the website removes it, the visitor clears browser data, or the browser applies its own restrictions.
Learn more in our guide explaining what Local Storage is.
Key Differences Between Session Storage and Local Storage
They keep data for different lengths of time
Session Storage is designed for temporary information needed during the current tab session.
Local Storage is designed for information that may still be useful during a later visit.
They behave differently across browser tabs
Session Storage is normally limited to the tab that created it.
Local Storage is generally available to other tabs and windows using the same website origin.
Closing the tab affects them differently
Closing the tab normally removes its Session Storage values.
Local Storage usually remains available after the tab and browser have been closed.
Both remain inside the browser
Neither Session Storage nor Local Storage is automatically included in requests sent to the website’s server.
Website code must actively read a value and send it when the server or an external service needs that information.
Both are normally accessible to website scripts
Scripts running on the same website origin can generally read both types of storage.
This is why sensitive information should not be stored in either method without careful security planning.
Session Storage and Local Storage have different lifetimes, but neither is automatically secure or privacy-friendly. The stored information and its purpose still need to be reviewed.
How Long Does Each Storage Method Last?
Session Storage lifetime
Session Storage normally lasts while the current browser tab remains open.
Reloading the page or moving between pages from the same origin usually does not remove it.
It may disappear when:
- the visitor closes the tab;
- the browser ends the page session;
- the website removes the stored value;
- the visitor clears website data;
- browser privacy settings restrict storage.
Browser restoration features can sometimes affect the exact experience, so Session Storage should not be treated as a guaranteed permanent record.
Local Storage lifetime
Local Storage normally remains until it is deliberately removed.
It may disappear when:
- the visitor clears browser data;
- the website removes it;
- the browser removes old website storage;
- private browsing ends;
- privacy settings block or limit storage;
- the browser applies storage restrictions.
Local Storage does not normally include an automatic expiration date in the same way that a persistent cookie can.
Are Session Storage and Local Storage Shared Between Tabs?
This is one of the clearest differences between the two technologies.
Session Storage
Each browser tab normally has its own Session Storage area.
If a visitor opens the same website in a second tab, the new tab does not normally share ongoing Session Storage changes with the first tab.
Local Storage
Local Storage is normally connected to the website origin rather than one individual tab.
Several tabs from the same origin can generally read the same Local Storage values.
A visitor selects a temporary search filter in one tab. Session Storage may keep that filter only in the original tab. A language preference stored in Local Storage may be available when the visitor opens the website in another tab.
What Can Each One Store?
Both technologies save text-based name-and-value pairs. Website scripts can organise the text to represent settings, lists, or more detailed application data.
| Example | Better Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Current step in a form | Session Storage | Usually needed only during the current tab session |
| Temporary checkout filter | Session Storage | Does not need to remain during future visits |
| Dark mode preference | Local Storage | Should remain when the visitor returns |
| Dismissed welcome message | Local Storage | Can remain hidden between visits |
| Temporary calculator progress | Session Storage | Useful only while the visitor completes the current task |
| Saved dashboard layout | Local Storage | Can be restored during future visits |
The correct choice depends on whether the information should disappear when the tab closes or remain during future visits.
Common Uses for Session Storage
Session Storage works best for short-lived information connected to one task or tab.
Common examples include:
- multi-step form progress;
- temporary booking selections;
- checkout steps;
- search and sorting filters;
- temporary application state;
- one-session notifications;
- current page or interface choices.
Important information should not exist only in Session Storage because it can disappear when the tab closes.
Common Uses for Local Storage
Local Storage works better for browser-side information that should remain during later visits.
Common examples include:
- language preferences;
- colour themes;
- dashboard layouts;
- recently viewed content;
- dismissed notices;
- saved settings for online tools;
- progress that should continue later.
Local Storage can normally hold more information than a traditional browser cookie, but it should not be treated as a secure database.
Which One Is Better?
Neither method is automatically better. They are designed for different situations.
Choose based on how long the information should remain and where it needs to be available.
- Should the data disappear when the tab closes?
- Should the setting remain during future visits?
- Does the information need to be shared between tabs?
- Can the feature continue safely if the data disappears?
- Does the stored value contain anything sensitive?
- Is the storage used for functionality, analytics, or tracking?
Use Session Storage when the information is temporary and connected to one browser tab.
Use Local Storage when the information should remain available between visits or across several tabs from the same website origin.
Security Differences
Session Storage and Local Storage have similar script-access risks.
Website scripts from the same origin can normally read both types of storage. If harmful code runs on the page, it may be able to access stored values.
For this reason, website owners should avoid storing:
- passwords;
- payment information;
- sensitive personal records;
- valuable authentication secrets;
- information that would create serious harm if exposed.
Session Storage being temporary does not automatically make it secure.
Local Storage remaining longer does not automatically make it unsafe. The risk depends on what is stored, which scripts can access it, and how the website is protected.
Temporary storage can still expose sensitive information while the tab is open. Do not choose Session Storage only because the data is expected to disappear later.
Privacy Differences
Privacy considerations depend mainly on the purpose of the stored data.
Session Storage may be used for a necessary form or checkout feature. It may also store an optional analytics or advertising identifier during the current tab session.
Local Storage may remember a useful display preference. It may also store a persistent identifier used to recognise returning visitors.
Website owners should review:
- what information is stored;
- why it is needed;
- how long it remains;
- whether it recognises a browser or visitor;
- whether the information is sent elsewhere;
- whether an external provider can access it;
- which privacy rules apply.
Do Session Storage and Local Storage Require Consent?
Consent does not depend only on whether a website uses Session Storage or Local Storage.
The main question is why the storage is used.
Storage supporting a service requested by the visitor may be treated differently from storage used for:
- analytics;
- advertising;
- profiling;
- browser recognition;
- cross-site tracking;
- audience creation.
Using Session Storage instead of Local Storage does not automatically remove consent requirements. A shorter lifetime does not change an optional analytics or advertising purpose into a necessary one.
Our guide to cookie banner requirements explains why website owners should review cookies and similar storage technologies according to their purpose.
Can a Cookie Banner Control Both?
A cookie banner can help control Session Storage and Local Storage only when the website’s scripts are correctly connected to the consent system.
A suitable setup may need to:
- block optional scripts before consent;
- prevent analytics or advertising identifiers from being stored;
- activate accepted categories only after consent;
- keep rejected categories disabled;
- remove relevant stored values when consent is withdrawn where appropriate;
- allow visitors to change their preferences later.
Displaying a banner alone does not guarantee that either storage method follows the visitor’s choice.
Test Session Storage and Local Storage before and after accepting optional categories. This can reveal whether tracking-related values are created too early.
How Can You View Session Storage and Local Storage?
Most modern browsers allow you to inspect both technologies through developer tools.
In Google Chrome, you can normally:
- open the website you want to inspect;
- right-click the page and select Inspect;
- open the Application panel;
- expand Session Storage or Local Storage;
- select the relevant website origin;
- review the stored names and values.
To compare their behavior:
- record the values stored in both sections;
- reload the page;
- open the website in another tab;
- close the original tab;
- return to the website later;
- check which values remain.
Our guide explaining how to find cookies on a website covers similar browser developer tools and storage inspection methods.
Can a Cookie Scanner Detect Both?
Some website scanners inspect only traditional cookies.
Broader scanners may also detect:
- Session Storage;
- Local Storage;
- external scripts;
- tracking pixels;
- browser identifiers;
- other storage technologies.
A scanner may miss values that appear only after:
- accepting a cookie category;
- opening a form or checkout;
- logging into an account;
- using an interactive tool;
- playing embedded content;
- completing another user action.
Automated scanning should therefore be supported by manual testing when complete results are important.
Read our guide explaining what a cookie scanner is to understand how automated website checks work.
Common Misconceptions
Session Storage and Local Storage are the same
No. They use a similar storage system, but Session Storage is normally limited to one tab session while Local Storage remains between visits.
Session Storage is automatically more secure
No. Website scripts can normally access both storage types.
Local Storage is shared between every website
No. It is normally limited to the website origin that created it.
Session Storage is always deleted when the browser closes
It is designed for the current page session, but browser restoration features can affect the visitor’s exact experience.
Local Storage lasts forever
No. Visitors, websites, browsers, and privacy settings can remove it.
Neither method requires consent because they are not cookies
Not necessarily. Privacy and consent rules may apply to browser storage technologies based on their purpose and behavior.
Both are automatically sent to the server
No. Website code must actively read and send their values.
Next Step: Check Website Storage
Session Storage and Local Storage can both be inspected through browser developer tools. Check your website to see which values are stored, when they appear, how long they remain, and whether optional storage follows the visitor’s consent choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this topic
Session Storage normally lasts for one browser tab session. Local Storage normally remains available between visits until it is removed.
Normally not. Each tab generally receives its own Session Storage area.
Tabs using the same website origin can generally access the same Local Storage values.
Usually not. It normally remains until the website, visitor, or browser removes it.
Not automatically. Website scripts must actively read and transmit the stored information.
Session Storage may be suitable when the progress is needed only during the current tab session. Local Storage may be better when the visitor should continue during a later visit.
Yes. Either method can store identifiers or information that supports analytics or browser recognition.
They may. Requirements depend on what is stored, why it is used, and which privacy rules apply.
