Code and docs · Comparison
PasteOkay vs CryptPad: a zero-knowledge suite or a single paste
CryptPad is a zero-knowledge office suite. PasteOkay is a zero-knowledge envelope. One replaces a workspace, the other replaces a bad habit.
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 when you need one text handoff with an expiry and nothing else to learn.
- Choose CryptPad when a team needs encrypted documents, spreadsheets or a shared drive with granular access.
- Features and prices were checked in October 2026; verify the current details with each provider.
PasteOkay
Choose PasteOkay when you need one text handoff with an expiry and nothing else to learn.
- One page, one link and one lifetime
- No account, no drive and no document management
- Password and encryption on the same screen as the text
CryptPad
Choose CryptPad when a team needs encrypted documents, spreadsheets or a shared drive with granular access.
- Zero-knowledge documents, sheets and slides
- Real-time collaboration with access lists
- Self-hostable and open source
Side by side
| Capability | PasteOkay | CryptPad |
|---|---|---|
| Account required | No | Optional, for persistent storage |
| Client-side encryption | Yes | Yes |
| Password protection | Yes | Document access and passwords |
| Expiry control | 10 minutes to 30 days | Configurable retention |
| Burn after reading | Yes | Limited |
| Rich documents | Plain text | Docs, sheets, slides, forms |
| Real-time collaboration | No | Yes |
| Price | Free, PRO $5 once | Free tier, paid plans |
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.
A suite versus a single step
CryptPad is impressive because it brings encryption to the tools people already use: a document editor, a spreadsheet, a whiteboard and a drive. The encryption is real, the project is open source and it can be self-hosted.
That breadth has a cost in attention. Creating a pad, setting access, managing a drive and remembering where the document lives is more work than sending a link that expires tomorrow.
Where PasteOkay wins on focus
PasteOkay asks three questions: what is the text, how long should it live, and who should be able to open it. The answer is a link, a manage link and an optional password. There is no document tree and no account to configure.
For a quick handoff, that focus is the feature. The less there is to misconfigure, the less likely a paste is left public by accident.
When CryptPad is the better investment
If your team needs an encrypted replacement for a shared drive or a collaborative document, CryptPad is the more complete answer. Use PasteOkay for the small transient pieces that do not deserve a document.
Which one should you choose?
Choose PasteOkay if
- You need a single text paste, not a workspace
- The recipient should open one link and read
- The content should expire automatically
Choose CryptPad if
- You need collaborative documents or spreadsheets
- You want a zero-knowledge drive for a team
- You need persistent storage and access management
Frequently asked questions
Is CryptPad zero-knowledge?
Yes, CryptPad encrypts document content in the browser and is designed so the server cannot read it. PasteOkay offers the same property for a single text paste.
Does CryptPad expire documents?
CryptPad has retention settings and can remove inactive pads, but the model is a document that persists. PasteOkay is built around a sender-chosen expiry.
Can I use CryptPad without an account?
You can create anonymous pads, but persistent storage and team features benefit from an account. PasteOkay needs no account at all for a basic paste.
Which is easier for a one-time password handoff?
PasteOkay. CryptPad can do it, but the pad workflow is heavier than a paste with an expiry and a password field.
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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.