Secure transfer · Comparison
Firefox Send is gone: the best alternatives for encrypted file and text sharing
Firefox Send proved that a self-destructing encrypted link could be simple. The service is gone, but the need is not. Here is how to replace it.
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 encrypted text that expires, with no account and no app to install.
- Firefox Send no longer accepts uploads. Its file-sharing role is now covered by other services, and its text role maps closely to PasteOkay.
- Features and prices were checked in October 2026; verify the current details with each provider.
PasteOkay
Choose PasteOkay for encrypted text that expires, with no account and no app to install.
- Active service with browser encryption and expiry
- Works for text and code, not only files
- No Mozilla account and no extension
Firefox Send (discontinued)
Firefox Send no longer accepts uploads. Its file-sharing role is now covered by other services, and its text role maps closely to PasteOkay.
- Simple encrypted link concept that users remember
- File sharing with a download limit
- Backed by a major browser vendor while it operated
Side by side
| Capability | PasteOkay | Firefox Send (discontinued) |
|---|---|---|
| Service status | Active | Discontinued in 2020 |
| Account required | No | Not any more |
| Client-side encryption | Yes | Was supported |
| Expiry control | 10 minutes to 30 days | Historical feature |
| Text pastes | Yes | Limited |
| File transfer | No | Was supported |
| Browser extension | Not required | Not required |
| Price | Free, PRO $5 once | No longer available |
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.
What happened to Firefox Send
Mozilla launched Firefox Send as a simple way to share encrypted files through a link that expires. It was popular because it asked almost nothing of the user. Mozilla paused the service in 2020 after it was abused for malware distribution, and ultimately discontinued it.
The shutdown left a gap. Many people who liked the idea of a self-destructing link did not need a full cloud drive. They needed a small, private transfer that did not require an account and did not leave files behind.
What to use instead for text
PasteOkay is the closest replacement for the text half of the use case. You paste text, choose a lifetime, optionally add a password and can encrypt in the browser. The key stays in the URL fragment, and the paste stops resolving when the timer ends.
The important difference is that PasteOkay is text-only. It does not try to be a file host, which keeps the service simple and the abuse surface small.
What to use instead for files
If you need to send a file, the honest answer is a dedicated encrypted file transfer service. Look for client-side encryption, a clear retention policy and a delete control. Do not assume that a well-known brand still protects a discontinued product.
A practical replacement pattern is to put the instructions or the passphrase in PasteOkay and the file in a trusted encrypted file service. The two links can have different lifetimes and can be sent through different channels.
Which one should you choose?
Choose PasteOkay if
- You need the text half of the old Firefox Send workflow
- You want browser encryption without an account
- The link should expire automatically
Choose Firefox Send (discontinued) if
- Never for new uploads, because the service is closed
- Only as a reminder of the feature set you want elsewhere
- If you need files, use a dedicated encrypted file service
Frequently asked questions
Is Firefox Send coming back?
Mozilla discontinued the service and there has been no announced return. Treat any site claiming to be the official replacement with caution.
What is the closest Firefox Send alternative for text?
PasteOkay follows the same idea: a link that expires, optional encryption and no account. It focuses on text rather than files.
Can PasteOkay send files?
No. It is a text paste service. For files, choose a dedicated encrypted transfer service and keep the passphrase in a separate channel.
Why did Firefox Send shut down?
Mozilla cited abuse of the service for malware distribution as a reason for pausing it, and later discontinued it. The lesson is that any anonymous file service needs abuse controls.
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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.