Top Onionshare Alternatives for Secure File Sharing

OnionShare is a fantastic tool that allows users to securely and anonymously share files of any size by creating a temporary web server accessible via a Tor hidden service. It's praised for its privacy-focused approach, eliminating the need for third-party services or complex server setups. However, while Onionshare excels in its niche, users often look for alternatives offering different features, broader platform support, or simpler user experiences for various secure file-sharing needs. This article explores the best Onionshare alternative options available today.

Best Onionshare Alternatives

Whether you prioritize peer-to-peer sharing, end-to-end encryption, or cloud integration, there's an Onionshare alternative out there that's perfect for your specific requirements. Let's dive into some of the top contenders.

Syncthing

Syncthing is an excellent open-source Onionshare alternative for those seeking decentralized, real-time file synchronization across multiple devices. Available on Free, Open Source, Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and more, it offers peer-to-peer encryption and self-hosting capabilities, ensuring your data remains private and solely under your control, unlike Onionshare's temporary sharing model.

Firefox Send

Firefox Send was a free, open-source web-based encrypted file transfer service that provided an easy way to share files up to 1GB (or 2.5GB with a Firefox account). While no longer actively maintained, its features like end-to-end encryption, password protection, and expiring downloads made it a strong privacy-focused Onionshare alternative for quick, secure sharing directly from your browser.

FilePizza

FilePizza is an open-source, web-based Onionshare alternative that uses WebRTC and WebTorrent for peer-to-peer file transfer. It's incredibly simple: open the website, select a file, and get a link to send to the recipient. This self-hosted solution offers direct, secure file sharing without needing an intermediary server, much like Onionshare's direct connection, but via a browser.

RetroShare

RetroShare is a comprehensive open-source, cross-platform (Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD) Onionshare alternative focused on decentralized, private, and secure communication. Beyond file sharing, it supports encrypted chat, video, and voice, all built on a serverless, end-to-end encrypted architecture, making it ideal for those who need a full suite of secure communication tools.

Send Anywhere

Send Anywhere is a popular freemium cross-platform (Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iOS, etc.) Onionshare alternative that facilitates real-time, peer-to-peer digital content sharing without cloud storage. It stands out for its ease of use and broad device compatibility, providing a quick and direct way to transfer files between devices.

Magic Wormhole

Magic Wormhole is a free, open-source command-line tool (Mac, Windows, Linux, Python) for securely transferring arbitrary-sized files and directories. It uses short, magic-wormhole codes for authentication, making it a robust and cryptographic Onionshare alternative for those comfortable with the command line and prioritizing secure, direct data transfer.

BlackHole

BlackHole is a freemium and open-source file transfer service (Mac, Windows, Web) that boasts high-performance transfers secured with blockchain technology. It offers features like data streaming and compression, providing a modern and secure Onionshare alternative for efficient file movement across the web.

Envelop

Envelop is a simple, free, and open-source web-based (also Android, Chrome, Opera, Firefox) Onionshare alternative focused on privacy. It allows users to upload files and share a download link, emphasizing no file limits, no tracking, and private file storage, providing a straightforward and privacy-conscious option.

Pipladen Drive

Pipladen Drive is a freemium cloud storage solution available on the web, offering a high-security environment for storing and sharing data. With 20GB of free storage and a focus on security, it serves as a robust cloud-based Onionshare alternative for users who prefer persistent storage alongside file sharing.

Workupload

Workupload is a free web-based service designed for sharing and sending large files. While offering less emphasis on the deep privacy features of Onionshare, it provides a simple and efficient way to share big files, making it a practical Onionshare alternative for general large file transfers.

The best Onionshare alternative ultimately depends on your specific needs, whether it's robust encryption, ease of use, platform compatibility, or the ability to synchronize files across multiple devices. We encourage you to explore these options and find the perfect fit for your secure file-sharing requirements.