Pastebins · Comparison
PasteOkay vs 0x0.st: text pastes versus a file host
0x0.st is the terminal-friendly host for files and logs. PasteOkay is the browser-first host for text that expires on a schedule. They overlap less than they appear to.
Updated · 4 min read · PasteOkay is our own product, so read this as a vendor comparison. Features were checked in October 2026.
In short
- Choose PasteOkay for text you want to password protect, encrypt in the browser, or delete from a manage link.
- Choose 0x0.st when you need to upload a binary file from a terminal and keep it for weeks or months.
- Features and prices were checked in October 2026; verify the current details with each provider.
PasteOkay
Choose PasteOkay for text you want to password protect, encrypt in the browser, or delete from a manage link.
- Designed for text: syntax highlighting, expiry and a password gate
- Client-side encryption and a manage link for later deletion
- No public feed and no size-based surprise retention
0x0.st
Choose 0x0.st when you need to upload a binary file from a terminal and keep it for weeks or months.
- Accepts arbitrary files, not just text
- Simple curl workflow that fits shell scripts
- Generous retention for small files
Side by side
| Capability | PasteOkay | 0x0.st |
|---|---|---|
| Account required | No | No |
| Primary content | Text and code | Files and text |
| Expiry control | Chosen by the sender | Derived from file size |
| Client-side encryption | Yes | No |
| Password protection | Yes | No |
| Edit or delete later | Manage link | Deletion token |
| Binary attachments | No | Yes |
| Price | Free, PRO $5 once | Free, donation supported |
A dash means the feature is not offered in the standard flow. Plans and limits change; verify the current details with each provider before relying on them.
Retention is the biggest difference
0x0.st ties retention to file size: smaller uploads stay longer, larger ones are removed sooner, with boundaries set by the operator. You do not choose a precise lifetime. That is a sensible policy for a free file host, but it is a poor fit when you need a link to die in ten minutes or exactly tomorrow.
PasteOkay makes lifetime an explicit property of the paste. Ten minutes, an hour, a day, a week, thirty days on PRO, or never. The timer is visible on the paste page, and burn after reading can delete the row on the first successful open.
Text handling and the browser
0x0.st returns a bare file URL. It is excellent for piping a command's output into a link, but it offers no syntax highlighting, no password form and no encrypted paste flow. PasteOkay is built around the text: language detection, a monospace editor, line wrapping and a password gate that runs the derivation in the browser.
The encryption story is also different. 0x0.st does not encrypt in the browser. PasteOkay does, and the key never reaches the server. If the content is a private key or a session token, that difference is the whole decision.
When a file host is the right tool
If you need to send a screenshot, an archive or a compiled binary, use a file host. PasteOkay does not accept binary attachments, and turning a pastebin into a file host would raise storage and abuse costs that every user would end up paying for.
A practical pattern is to use 0x0.st for the file and PasteOkay for the short note that explains it, with a password and an expiry. Each service does the thing it was designed for.
Which one should you choose?
Choose PasteOkay if
- The content is text, code, a log or a configuration file
- You need a precise expiry or a password rather than size-based retention
- You want to delete the paste early with a manage link
Choose 0x0.st if
- You need to upload a binary file
- The workflow starts with curl in a terminal
- You want a single URL with no paste interface
Frequently asked questions
Does 0x0.st expire files automatically?
Yes, but retention is based on file size rather than a sender-chosen timer. Check the current rules on the site before you rely on a particular lifetime.
Can PasteOkay upload images?
No. PasteOkay is text-only by design. Images and archives belong on a file host, while the text that explains them can live in a paste with an expiry.
Is 0x0.st anonymous?
It does not require an account, but the operator still sees requests and may apply abuse controls. PasteOkay likewise requires no account and stores only a keyed, rotating fingerprint for rate limiting.
Which service is better for secrets?
PasteOkay, because it can encrypt in the browser and can require a password. Uploading an unencrypted secret to any public file host is risky even when the URL is hard to guess.
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Read the comparisonTry the paste that expires
No account. Choose a lifetime, add a password if you need one, and encrypt in your browser when the text should never reach the server in readable form.