Choose OneTimeSecret if…
You want a text-only service with a long track record, open-source code you can inspect, self-hosting, regional hosting, and an established team/API offering.
Comparison · Reviewed October 29, 2026
Compare Secure Secret Sharing Tools
TextShareNow, OneTimeSecret, Privnote, Password.link, Yopass, and Password Pusher all remove secrets from email and chat. They make different trade-offs on files, encryption, self-hosting, and team controls. Here is the honest comparison — including where TextShareNow is not the right choice.
The short answer
If you need text-only secrets plus self-hosting, OneTimeSecret is still the stronger fit. If you need text and files in one no-account flow, with optional browser-side encryption, TextShareNow is the closest fit. For EU-hosted zero-knowledge text and files with team features, look at Password.link. For a self-hosted CLI workflow, look at Yopass. For audit logs, SSO, and very large files, look at Password Pusher.
At a glance
The six tools side by side
Feature support, not marketing language. Check the linked official pages before relying on a detail — plans and limits change.
| Tool | Best for | Files | Encryption model | Self-host | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TextShareNowThis site | Text + files in one no-account flow | Yes — 10 MB free (photos/short video); 100 MB / 20 files Pro | Optional browser-side AES-256-GCM for text and files | No — hosted | Free; Pro $5/mo or $50/yr |
| OneTimeSecret | Text-only secrets with self-hosting | No — text-only by design | Optional passphrase; official docs describe server-side encryption | Yes — open source | Free tier; paid plans |
| Privnote | Simple text notes that self-destruct | No — text notes only | Browser-side encryption claim; closed source | No | Free |
| Password.link | EU-hosted zero-knowledge text + files | Yes — 10 MB per file, multiple attachments | Browser-side AES-256-GCM | Custom/enterprise self-host | Free tier; paid plans |
| Yopass | Self-hosted E2E text + small files | Yes — 512 KB default; 1 MB cap without a license | Browser-side OpenPGP | Yes — open source | Free self-host; business license |
| Password Pusher | Teams, audits, and self-hosted pushes | Yes — large files (4 GB tested) | AES-256 + passphrases; audit logs | Yes — open source and Pro | Free tier; paid plans |
“Browser-side” means the encryption key is handled in the user’s browser according to the vendor’s documentation. It is not an independent audit. TextShareNow is our product; competitor entries are based on their public docs and product pages reviewed on October 29, 2026.
The closest comparison
TextShareNow vs OneTimeSecret
OneTimeSecret is the established, open-source, text-only option. TextShareNow is the newer tool built for text and files with a code-first flow.
| Factor | TextShareNow | OneTimeSecret |
|---|---|---|
| Native file sharing | Yes — 10 MB free; 100 MB and 20 files on Pro | No — text-only by design |
| Browser-side encryption | Optional for text and files; key stays in the URL fragment | Optional passphrase; official docs describe server-side encryption |
| Self-hosting / open source | No — hosted service | Yes — open source and self-hostable |
| Share format | 5-character code or full link | One-time link |
| Free limits | 10,000 characters; 10 MB photo/video files; 10 min–1 h | Anonymous: 7 days / 100 KB. Free account: 14 days / 1 MB |
| Best fit | Text + files, no account, optional E2E | Text-only, self-hosting, open-source verification |
Choose TextShareNow if…
You want to send text and files from the same screen, keep the 5-character code flow, avoid an account, and optionally encrypt contents in your browser before upload.
The details
Which tool fits which job?
A quick profile of each option, including the cases where it beats TextShareNow.
TextShareNow
This siteThe same 5-character code handles text and files. Private mode encrypts contents in the browser before upload; standard uploads are scanned for malware. Free text is 10,000 characters; free files are 10 MB and limited to photos and short videos. Pro raises limits and adds passwords, custom codes, and API/MCP access.
- Choose if
- You want one tool for text and files, no account, optional browser-side encryption, and a code that works from any browser.
- Skip if
- Self-hosting or open-source verification is a hard requirement, or you need team audit logs and SSO.
OneTimeSecret
Open sourceThe long-running, open-source secret service. Anonymous secrets can last up to 7 days and 100 KB; free accounts raise that to 14 days and 1 MB. It offers self-hosting, regional hosting, teams, and an API, but no native file sharing.
- Choose if
- Open-source code, self-hosting, regional hosting, or a text-only workflow are requirements.
- Skip if
- You need to send files or want browser-side encryption without relying on a passphrase.
Privnote
HostedThe simplest option: write a note, optionally add a password and expiry, then send a link. The note is destroyed after it is read or when the timer ends. No account, no files, and no self-hosting.
- Choose if
- You only need a quick text note and want the shortest path from paste to link.
- Skip if
- You need files, open-source code, self-hosting, or independently auditable encryption.
Password.link
HostedA polished zero-knowledge service with one-time links, file attachments, secret requests, secure chat, teams, API access, and EU hosting. It is a stronger fit than TextShareNow for team workflows and enterprise deployment.
- Choose if
- EU hosting, team controls, secret requests, or a mature zero-knowledge provider matter more than a 5-character code.
- Skip if
- You want the simplest free flow, a short code, or no account at all.
Yopass
Open sourceOpen-source, browser-encrypted secrets and files with a CLI, Docker/Kubernetes deployment, Redis or Memcached, and optional S3 storage. Its default file cap is small compared with file-first services.
- Choose if
- You want to run it yourself, script it, or need OpenPGP-based end-to-end encryption.
- Skip if
- You need 10–100 MB files or a zero-setup hosted flow.
Password Pusher
Open sourceA mature open-source tool for passwords, text, URLs, and files with expiration, view limits, passphrases, audit trails, SSO, API/CLI, and self-hosting. It is built for team and operations workflows rather than a one-off transfer.
- Choose if
- You need audit logs, team controls, SSO, large files, or a self-hosted operations tool.
- Skip if
- You want a lightweight, no-login transfer with a short code and minimal setup.
Method
What we compared
The useful differences are not just “encrypted or not.”
- Whether files are supported natively, and at what size.
- Whether encryption happens in the browser or on the server, according to the vendor.
- Whether the service is open source, self-hostable, or hosted only.
- Expiry, read limits, password/passphrase support, and account requirements.
- What metadata remains visible — names, sizes, timestamps, and folder paths.
- Team features: audit logs, SSO, secret requests, API, and self-hosting.
Disclosure
TextShareNow is our product. We built this page because “which tool is most secure?” has no universal answer: self-hosting, browser-side encryption, file support, metadata exposure, and team controls are different trade-offs. We included cases where a competitor is the better choice. We did not run independent security audits of any product listed here. Features and prices change; verify them on the vendor’s official page before deciding.
Questions
Comparison FAQ
The answers people actually need before choosing a secret-sharing tool.
View all FAQsIs TextShareNow a OneTimeSecret alternative?
Yes, if you need text and files in one flow, optional browser-side encryption, and no account. OneTimeSecret is the better choice if text-only, open-source code, self-hosting, or regional hosting is a hard requirement.
Can OneTimeSecret send files?
No. OneTimeSecret’s official FAQ says the service is designed for text-based secrets and does not support pictures or other files. It recommends a dedicated secure file transfer service for files.
Which tool is more secure?
There is no universal winner. TextShareNow encrypts Private text and file contents in the browser; OneTimeSecret offers open-source code and self-hosting with optional passphrases; Password.link and Yopass use browser-side encryption; Password Pusher adds audit logs. The right choice depends on whether you need verifiable code, self-hosting, files, team controls, or the smallest metadata footprint.
Are TextShareNow encrypted files virus-scanned?
No. Standard uploads are scanned with ClamAV. Private file contents are encrypted before upload, so the server cannot scan them. File names, MIME types, sizes, and folder paths remain visible. Only open encrypted files from people you trust.
Can I self-host TextShareNow?
No. TextShareNow is a hosted service. If self-hosting is required, OneTimeSecret, Yopass, and Password Pusher are the relevant options in this comparison.
Is TextShareNow free?
Yes. The free plan includes text and small files with no account. Pro is optional and adds larger limits, longer expiry, passwords, custom codes, and API/MCP access.
Sources checked
Public product pages and documentation, reviewed October 29, 2026.