ProtectedShare
untitled.txt — ProtectedShare

The best free OneTimeSecret alternative

OneTimeSecret made one-time links mainstream. ProtectedShare keeps that simplicity and adds true zero-knowledge encryption, configurable read limits, and a complete suite of privacy tools — still with no accounts and no cost.

FeatureOneTimeSecretProtectedShare
Where encryption happensServer receives and holds the secret until first viewEncrypted in your browser; the server only ever stores ciphertext
Encryption standardDepends on deployment; not client-side by defaultAES-256-GCM authenticated encryption via Web Crypto
Read limitsSingle view focusedConfigurable 1–10 reads with auto-deletion at zero
Expiration controlFixed expiration windowsMultiple TTL choices from 1 hour to 7 days
Two-channel password deliveryOptional passphraseBuilt for split delivery: link in one app, key in another
Developer tools✓ No✓ EnvShare for .env files and API keys with hash-fragment keys
Extra privacy tools✓ No✓ Encrypted notepad and anonymous E2E chatroom included
Price & signupFree tier, paid plans for teams100% free, open source, no accounts ever

Zero-knowledge changes the math

With a traditional one-time secret service, the platform holds your readable secret until the recipient opens it. If that database leaks before the first view, the secret leaks with it. ProtectedShare flips the model: your browser encrypts the content with AES-256-GCM before anything is uploaded, so the server transports ciphertext it cannot decrypt. A breach yields nothing usable.

More than one-time links

Secret delivery is rarely the only job. ProtectedShare bundles the whole workflow into one free toolkit:

  • Secure Notes: password-locked messages with TTL expirations and burn-after-read.
  • EnvShare: one-click sharing for .env files and API keys, keys hidden in the URL hash fragment.
  • Encrypted Notepad: an offline-first personal scratchpad with cloud sync.
  • Anonymous Chatroom: end-to-end encrypted rooms with no signup.

Ready to share securely?

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Share a SecretSecure Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes ProtectedShare a good OneTimeSecret alternative?
Both tools deliver links that expire, but ProtectedShare encrypts your secret in the browser before upload, so the server never holds readable content. You also get configurable read limits (1–10), flexible expiration windows, developer-focused .env sharing, an encrypted notepad, and an anonymous chatroom — all free with no accounts.
Is ProtectedShare really free?
Yes. Every feature is free with no usage limits, no premium tiers, and no signup. The entire project is open source, so you can also self-host your own instance with Docker.
Can the server read my one-time secret?
No. Encryption happens entirely in your browser using AES-256-GCM with a PBKDF2-stretched key. The decryption key stays in the URL hash fragment or travels through a separate channel, and it is never sent to the server. Even the operator cannot decrypt stored secrets.