# PasteOkay full content for language models This file contains the complete text of every PasteOkay comparison and guide. The canonical HTML pages are listed with each section. Content was last updated in October 2026. Site: https://okay.ovh/ LLM summary: https://okay.ovh/llms.txt Sitemap: https://okay.ovh/sitemap.xml # PasteOkay vs Pastebin.com: privacy, limits and features compared Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/pastebin-com Category: Pastebins Published: 2026-09-22 Updated: 2026-10-17 Pastebin.com is the best known paste service. We compare its expiry rules, ads, public archive and privacy model with PasteOkay's encrypted, account-free editor. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the text is private, temporary or needs a password, and you do not want an account or ads. Pastebin.com verdict: Choose Pastebin.com when you want the largest public archive, a familiar API and a plain paste page with no learning curve. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Pastebin.com = No - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Pastebin.com = Presets up to never - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Pastebin.com = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; Pastebin.com = Not in the free paste form - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; Pastebin.com = Yes - Public paste directory: PasteOkay = No; Pastebin.com = Yes - Ads on the free tier: PasteOkay = None; Pastebin.com = Yes - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Pastebin.com = Free with ads, paid tier ## Analysis ### What Pastebin.com still does well Pastebin.com is fast, familiar and forgiving. You paste text, choose a language and an expiry, and you get a short address. Its public archive is enormous, and for years it has been the place people link to when they need to show a log or a config file. The API and the raw view are simple enough that tooling built a decade ago still works. If your goal is publishing something you want strangers to find, that public surface is an advantage rather than a bug. Search engines index public pastes, and the sheer volume means a public Pastebin link is understood by almost everyone. ### Where the two services differ The difference is the default. PasteOkay has no public directory, no ads and no site-wide archive. A paste is reachable only through its link, and it stops resolving when the timer runs out. Pastebin.com keeps public pastes in a searchable stream unless you choose unlisted or private exposure. PasteOkay also moves the sensitive part of password handling into the browser. A password is stretched with PBKDF2 in the page, and the server stores a tag it can compare but cannot turn back into the password. Pastebin.com is a traditional server-rendered paste host. ### Encryption, passwords and burn after reading When you tick the encryption box in PasteOkay, the plaintext never leaves the device. The browser generates an AES-256-GCM key, uploads ciphertext, and places the key after the # in the link. Because browsers do not send fragments, the server cannot read the paste even though it encrypts the stored blob a second time. Pastebin.com offers burn after reading, which is useful for one-shot handoffs, but it does not offer a browser-held key or a password gate built the same way. That matters when the text contains a token, a private key or a customer record rather than a snippet you intend to publish. ### Which one should you use? Use Pastebin.com for public documentation, snippets you want indexed, or an integration that already speaks its API. Use PasteOkay for the paste you are slightly nervous about: a password, a log with internal hostnames, a handoff to a colleague, or anything that should be gone tomorrow. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The content is private and should never appear in a public feed - You want a password or a key that the server never sees - The link should expire automatically without an account ## When to choose Pastebin.com - You need a public paste that search engines can index - You depend on the existing Pastebin API or raw URLs - You want the most familiar paste address on the internet ## FAQ Q: Is PasteOkay a Pastebin.com replacement? A: For private or temporary pastes, yes. It covers text, code, expiry, passwords, burn after reading and a manage link. It deliberately does not offer a public directory, so it is not a replacement for publishing something you want strangers to browse. Q: Does Pastebin.com encrypt pastes in the browser? A: Pastebin.com is a conventional hosted paste service and does not offer a browser-held encryption key in its standard paste form. PasteOkay encrypts the blob at rest on the server and can additionally encrypt in your browser before upload. Q: Can I keep a paste forever on PasteOkay? A: Yes. The expiry selector includes a never option for the free plan. The PRO plan also unlocks thirty-day expiry and larger pastes. Nothing prevents you from deleting the paste earlier with its manage link. Q: Which service is better for sharing logs? A: If the log contains internal hostnames, tokens or personal data, PasteOkay is the safer default because the link expires and can be password protected. If the log is a public bug report, Pastebin.com has the larger audience. --- # PasteOkay vs PrivateBin: two zero-knowledge pastebins compared Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/privatebin Category: Pastebins Published: 2026-09-23 Updated: 2026-10-17 PrivateBin is the best known open-source encrypted pastebin. We compare its self-hosting model, attachments, expiry and interface with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when you want zero-knowledge pastes without running a server, plus a manage link and a polished mobile editor. PrivateBin verdict: Choose PrivateBin when you need an open-source project you can host yourself, including file attachments and a public instance you trust. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; PrivateBin = No - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; PrivateBin = Yes - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; PrivateBin = Yes - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; PrivateBin = Yes - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; PrivateBin = Presets, set by the instance - File attachments: PasteOkay = Text only; PrivateBin = Yes, within instance limits - Self-hosting: PasteOkay = Not packaged; PrivateBin = Yes, the main feature - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; PrivateBin = Free, hosting costs separate ## Analysis ### The shared idea: the server should not read the paste Both services encrypt in the browser. The key is created on the device, placed in the part of the URL after the #, and never transmitted. The server stores ciphertext and cannot produce the plaintext on its own. That property separates this category from a conventional paste host. The practical difference is operational. PrivateBin gives you the code and expects you to trust an instance or run one. PasteOkay is a hosted product: the encryption is the same idea, but deployment, patching and edge configuration are somebody else's job. ### Features a hosted user notices PasteOkay adds a manage link that is shown once and can replace or delete a paste later, without an account. It also supports readable short links on PRO, click statistics and labels when you use the link shortener. PrivateBin concentrates on the paste itself and leaves account-like features out. On a phone, PasteOkay is a single responsive editor with a character counter, language hint, expiry selector and password field. PrivateBin's interface is functional and intentionally sparse. Neither approach is wrong; they serve different expectations. ### Attachments and instance limits PrivateBin supports attachments, which makes it a better fit for a small screenshot or a PDF that belongs with the text. PasteOkay is deliberately text-first: two megabytes on PRO, half a megabyte free, no binary uploads. That keeps the service cheap and the abuse surface small. If you self-host PrivateBin, you inherit the storage, TLS certificate, backups and patching. If you use a public instance, you inherit that operator's limits and availability. PasteOkay is a single service with a single set of rules, which is simpler to reason about but less configurable. ## When to choose PasteOkay - You want zero-knowledge pastes without maintaining PHP and a database - You value a manage link, short links and a mobile-friendly editor - You want a predictable text-only service with clear limits ## When to choose PrivateBin - You must keep all data on infrastructure you control - You need open-source code you can audit and modify - You want to attach a small file to the paste ## FAQ Q: Is PrivateBin more secure than PasteOkay? A: Both use client-side encryption, so the core promise is similar. PrivateBin has years of public scrutiny and can be self-hosted, which some threat models require. PasteOkay adds server-side encryption at rest and a hardened Cloudflare deployment. The answer depends on whether you trust an operator or your own server more. Q: Can PasteOkay read a paste encrypted in the browser? A: No. The key exists only in the URL fragment, and browsers do not send fragments to servers. The server stores ciphertext and can delete it, but it cannot decrypt it. Q: Does PrivateBin require an account? A: No. Anonymous pastes are the normal mode. Some instances add optional moderation or retention settings, but the upstream project is built around anonymous use. Q: Which one is better for a team? A: PrivateBin is often chosen by teams that already run infrastructure. PasteOkay is easier for a team that wants a working private pastebin today, with expiry and a manage link, without operating anything. --- # PasteOkay vs 0x0.st: text pastes versus a file host Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/0x0-st Category: Pastebins Published: 2026-09-24 Updated: 2026-10-17 0x0.st is a minimalist file and text host with size-based retention. We compare its retention model, privacy limits and command-line workflow with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay for text you want to password protect, encrypt in the browser, or delete from a manage link. 0x0.st verdict: Choose 0x0.st when you need to upload a binary file from a terminal and keep it for weeks or months. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; 0x0.st = No - Primary content: PasteOkay = Text and code; 0x0.st = Files and text - Expiry control: PasteOkay = Chosen by the sender; 0x0.st = Derived from file size - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; 0x0.st = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; 0x0.st = No - Edit or delete later: PasteOkay = Manage link; 0x0.st = Deletion token - Binary attachments: PasteOkay = No; 0x0.st = Yes - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; 0x0.st = Free, donation supported ## Analysis ### 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. ## When to choose PasteOkay - 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 ## When to choose 0x0.st - You need to upload a binary file - The workflow starts with curl in a terminal - You want a single URL with no paste interface ## FAQ Q: Does 0x0.st expire files automatically? A: 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. Q: Can PasteOkay upload images? A: 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. Q: Is 0x0.st anonymous? A: 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. Q: Which service is better for secrets? A: 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. --- # PasteOkay vs Hastebin: a quick paste or a private handoff Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/hastebin Category: Pastebins Published: 2026-09-25 Updated: 2026-10-17 Hastebin is a small open-source paste tool loved for its speed. We compare its limits, expiry behaviour and privacy with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the link needs a password, an expiry or an encryption key that stays in your browser. Hastebin verdict: Choose Hastebin when you want the shortest possible path from a snippet to a URL and nothing else. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Hastebin = No - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Hastebin = Limited or instance-defined - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Hastebin = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; Hastebin = No - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; Hastebin = No - Edit or delete later: PasteOkay = Manage link; Hastebin = Not built in - Self-hosting: PasteOkay = Not packaged; Hastebin = Yes - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Hastebin = Free ## Analysis ### Hastebin optimises for one thing Hastebin does not try to be a document platform. You open it, paste, press a key and copy the URL. The interface is sparse, the code is open source and the whole product fits in your head. For a quick error log in a chat or a snippet in a code review, that speed is hard to beat. The same minimalism means there is no password, no client-side encryption and no burn after reading. If the URL leaks, the text leaks. For a stack trace that is fine. For an internal token it is not. ### Expiry and deletion Hastebin's retention depends on the instance you use. There is no rich menu of lifetimes and no manage link that lets the author replace the content later. PasteOkay exposes the lifetime as a first-class choice and returns a manage link that is shown once and stored only as a hash on the server. That manage link also solves a common mistake. If you paste the wrong window or forget to redact a header, you can replace or delete the paste without asking an operator. On Hastebin, the practical fix is to create a second paste and hope the first one is ignored. ### Which service fits your workflow Pick Hastebin for a public snippet that has no sensitive value. Pick PasteOkay when the paste is a handoff: a password reset, a temporary credential, a private note to a colleague, or a log you do not want search engines to keep. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The link will be sent over chat and may be forwarded - You want the text to disappear on a timer - You need to correct or delete the paste later ## When to choose Hastebin - You want the smallest possible paste interface - You run your own Hastebin instance and control retention - The content is public and has no sensitive value ## FAQ Q: Does Hastebin support passwords? A: The upstream project is deliberately minimal and does not offer a password-protected paste flow. Some forks add features, so check the instance you use. Q: Is PasteOkay slower than Hastebin? A: The editor is a static page with a small script and no external dependencies. The extra work is the proof of work and the Turnstile check, which usually add a fraction of a second and keep automated abuse out. Q: Can I self-host PasteOkay? A: The project is built for Cloudflare Pages, Functions and D1. You can deploy your own copy with the same configuration, but there is no single-click self-hosting package. Q: Which one should I use for code review? A: Hastebin is fine for public code. If the code contains customer data, private keys or internal endpoints, use PasteOkay with an expiry and, when possible, browser encryption. --- # PasteOkay vs dpaste: expiry presets, privacy and the Django pastebin Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/dpaste Category: Pastebins Published: 2026-09-26 Updated: 2026-10-17 dpaste is a dependable Django pastebin with simple expiry options. We compare its public listing, password support and encryption with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when a paste needs a password, browser encryption or a manageable link rather than a public listing. dpaste verdict: Choose dpaste when you want a mature, no-nonsense paste page with predictable expiry and syntax highlighting. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; dpaste = No - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; dpaste = Preset choices - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; dpaste = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; dpaste = No - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; dpaste = No - Public directory: PasteOkay = No; dpaste = Yes, recent pastes - Edit or delete later: PasteOkay = Manage link; dpaste = Not built in - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; dpaste = Free ## Analysis ### The same core, a different privacy posture dpaste does the fundamentals well: paste text, choose how long it lives, get a URL, view the raw text. It is built on Django, the code is approachable and the interface has not been bloated by years of feature requests. For a public snippet it is a reliable choice. The difference is what happens around the paste. dpaste lists recent public pastes, has no password form and does not encrypt in the browser. PasteOkay treats the paste as private by default, keeps it out of any directory and gives the author tools to end its life early. ### Expiry is not the same as control Both services offer expiry presets, but PasteOkay also shows the remaining lifetime on the paste page and lets the author replace or delete the content with a manage link. That is useful when a paste was created in a hurry and contains one line too many. dpaste's expiry is enforced by the server, which is the important part. The practical gap is the absence of a sender-controlled deletion path and the lack of a password gate for the window before expiry. ### When dpaste is the better answer If you are pasting a public traceback into an issue, dpaste is perfectly adequate. The same applies to a snippet you want to keep for a few days and share openly. Reach for PasteOkay when the paste is part of a private workflow rather than a public conversation. ## When to choose PasteOkay - You want the paste to stay out of a public recent list - A password or browser encryption is part of the requirement - You need to delete the paste before its timer expires ## When to choose dpaste - You want a public paste with a stable raw URL - You prefer a minimal Django-based tool - The content has no sensitive value ## FAQ Q: Does dpaste support client-side encryption? A: dpaste is a server-rendered pastebin and does not provide a browser-held encryption key in its standard flow. PasteOkay offers both encryption at rest and optional encryption in the browser. Q: Can I password protect a dpaste paste? A: The standard dpaste form is built around public or unlisted links rather than a password gate. PasteOkay adds a password field that is derived in the browser. Q: Is PasteOkay free? A: Yes. The free plan covers 512 KB pastes, thirty pastes an hour and expiry up to seven days. PRO is a one-time five dollar upgrade for larger pastes, a higher rate and thirty-day expiry. Q: Which service is better for Python developers? A: dpaste is familiar and easy to run if you already work with Django. PasteOkay is language-agnostic and adds privacy controls that a shared public pastebin usually lacks. --- # PasteOkay vs termbin: netcat pastes versus a private web editor Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/termbin Category: Pastebins Published: 2026-09-27 Updated: 2026-10-17 termbin turns a netcat command into a paste URL. We compare its terminal workflow, retention and total absence of privacy controls with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the text is sensitive, needs a password, or must be deleted on a schedule. termbin verdict: Choose termbin when you are already in a terminal and want a URL from a pipe in one command. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; termbin = No - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; termbin = Not sender-controlled - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; termbin = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; termbin = No - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; termbin = No - Web editor: PasteOkay = Yes; termbin = No - Edit or delete later: PasteOkay = Manage link; termbin = No - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; termbin = Free ## Analysis ### The terminal is the feature termbin is used like this: pipe a command into netcat, and the response is a URL. There is no page to load and no JavaScript to wait for. On a server with no browser, that is exactly the right interface. The trade-off is that every privacy control lives outside the tool. There is no password form, no encryption key, no expiry selector and no deletion link. You are trusting the operator and the obscurity of a short random address. ### Why a private paste needs a browser PasteOkay is the opposite design. The browser is where the password is stretched, where the encryption key is generated and where the expiry choice is made. The server never learns the password and, with encryption enabled, never sees the plaintext. That does not make termbin unsafe for a kernel log. It makes it unsuitable for credentials, customer data or an incident note that should not survive the week. ### Use both, for different jobs Keep termbin for the diagnostic you paste into a terminal chat. Use PasteOkay when the same diagnostic contains an internal hostname, a token or a name that should not be public. The extra step is a browser tab, and it buys you control over the lifetime. ## When to choose PasteOkay - You need a password or encryption before the text leaves the device - The paste must expire at a precise time - You want a page a non-technical recipient can open ## When to choose termbin - You are on a server without a browser - The content is a harmless public log - You want the smallest possible command-line workflow ## FAQ Q: How does termbin work? A: You pipe text into netcat on termbin's port and the service returns a URL. It is a classic Unix-style paste service with no web form. Q: Does termbin encrypt pastes? A: No. The text is sent as-is over the connection and returned as plain text. Use PasteOkay or another client-side encrypted tool for secrets. Q: Can I delete a termbin paste? A: The service is intentionally minimal and does not provide a manage link. PasteOkay returns a manage link shown once, so the author can edit or delete the paste later. Q: Is PasteOkay usable without JavaScript? A: No. The password derivation, browser encryption and abuse challenge all run in JavaScript, so the editor requires it. termbin is the better choice when JavaScript is unavailable. --- # PasteOkay vs ix.io: command-line pastes compared Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/ix-io Category: Pastebins Published: 2026-09-28 Updated: 2026-10-17 ix.io is a command-line paste service used by developers for quick logs. We compare its workflow, retention and privacy with PasteOkay's browser editor. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the recipient is a person, not a script, and the text needs privacy or an expiry. ix.io verdict: Choose ix.io when you want to POST a file from a terminal and get a URL without leaving the shell. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; ix.io = No - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; ix.io = Operator-defined - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; ix.io = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; ix.io = No - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; ix.io = No - Web editor: PasteOkay = Yes; ix.io = No - Edit or delete later: PasteOkay = Manage link; ix.io = Limited - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; ix.io = Free ## Analysis ### A shell tool and a web product ix.io is built for the moment when you already have a file open in a terminal. You send it, you get a URL, you paste that URL into a chat. The simplicity is the point: no account, no browser, no state to manage. PasteOkay is built for the recipient. The link opens a readable page with metadata, an expiry countdown, an optional password prompt and a copy button. That matters when the person on the other side is not a developer. ### The privacy gap A command-line paste is plaintext in transit and plaintext at rest from the service's perspective. There is no password gate and no key held by the sender. PasteOkay encrypts the stored blob and can additionally encrypt in the browser so the server only sees ciphertext. For a public stack trace, the difference is academic. For a configuration file with a database URL, it is the reason to choose one tool over the other. ### A workflow that uses both Send the raw log with ix.io when speed matters and the content is public. When the log needs redaction, paste it into PasteOkay, set a one-hour expiry, add a password and send both the link and the password through different channels. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The recipient needs a readable page rather than raw text - You want a password or browser encryption - The paste should expire or be deletable ## When to choose ix.io - You are working entirely in a terminal - The text is public and disposable - You already have a shell function that posts to ix.io ## FAQ Q: Is ix.io encrypted? A: The service accepts plain text through a command-line request. It does not provide a browser-held encryption key like PasteOkay does. Q: Can I password protect an ix.io paste? A: The workflow is command-line first and does not include a password prompt on the paste page. PasteOkay adds a password gate derived in the browser. Q: Which is easier to share with a non-developer? A: PasteOkay. The link opens a normal page with a title, expiry information and a clear text area. ix.io returns raw text. Q: Does PasteOkay have a command-line client? A: There is no official CLI. The API is documented, and a script can create a paste, but the product is designed around the browser because the password and encryption steps happen there. --- # PasteOkay vs ControlC: a public paste host with no expiry promise Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/controlc Category: Pastebins Published: 2026-09-29 Updated: 2026-10-17 ControlC is a long-running public paste host with ads and a permanent archive. We compare its exposure model with PasteOkay's expiring private links. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the paste should stay unlisted, expire and never appear in a public stream. ControlC verdict: Choose ControlC when you want a free public paste page that is easy to find and does not need an account. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; ControlC = No - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; ControlC = Limited - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; ControlC = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; ControlC = No - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; ControlC = No - Public directory: PasteOkay = No; ControlC = Yes - Ads on the free tier: PasteOkay = None; ControlC = Yes - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; ControlC = Free with ads ## Analysis ### Exposure is the product ControlC is a public paste host. Its value is that a paste gets a stable page on a site that has been around for years, with no account required. For a public note, a list or a piece of documentation, that is enough. That model also means public pastes can be discovered, indexed and archived by third parties. Deleting the original does not necessarily delete the copies. If that sentence makes you uncomfortable, the paste does not belong on a public host. ### What changes with an expiring link PasteOkay does not publish a feed of pastes. The link is the only way in, and the link can require a password. The expiry is enforced on every read, so a paste stops resolving at the chosen time rather than whenever an operator cleans up. The author also gets a manage link. It is shown once, stored only as a hash, and can replace or delete the paste. That is a small feature with a large practical effect: a mistaken paste can be fixed immediately. ### Which model fits the content Use a public host for something you would be comfortable posting on a forum. Use PasteOkay for a private handoff, a temporary credential or a note that contains a name, an address or an internal hostname. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The paste contains personal or internal information - You want the link to stop working automatically - You need a password or encryption ## When to choose ControlC - You want a public page that anyone can browse - The content is intended for an audience - You do not need expiry or deletion controls ## FAQ Q: Are ControlC pastes public? A: ControlC is built around public paste pages. Treat anything you upload there as publishable, even if the URL is not easy to guess. Q: Does PasteOkay have ads? A: No. The free plan is not ad-supported. PRO is a one-time payment for larger pastes, a higher rate, longer expiry and short link tools. Q: Can I delete a paste on both services? A: PasteOkay returns a manage link shown once, which can delete the paste. Public paste hosts vary in what deletion they offer and cannot remove copies made by third parties. Q: Is a paste URL a security boundary? A: No. A hard-to-guess URL helps against casual discovery, but it is not access control. Use a password and browser encryption when the content matters. --- # PasteOkay vs GitHub Gist: versioned code or a disappearing link Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/github-gist Category: Code and docs Published: 2026-09-30 Updated: 2026-10-17 GitHub Gist is where developers keep snippets. We compare its version history, public discovery and account requirement with PasteOkay's private, expiring pastes. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay for a private handoff, a secret-bearing config or a paste that should not be tied to your GitHub identity. GitHub Gist verdict: Choose Gist when the snippet deserves version history, comments and a permanent place in your developer workflow. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; GitHub Gist = Yes, a GitHub account - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; GitHub Gist = No - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; GitHub Gist = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; GitHub Gist = No - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; GitHub Gist = No - Version history: PasteOkay = No, replace in place; GitHub Gist = Yes - Public discovery: PasteOkay = No; GitHub Gist = Public gists are listed and indexed - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; GitHub Gist = Free ## Analysis ### Gist is a repository in disguise Every gist is a Git repository. That gives you revisions, diffs, raw URLs and comments, all attached to a GitHub account. Public gists are searchable and can be discovered by other developers. Secret gists are unlisted, but they are not encrypted and they are not private in the cryptographic sense. For a snippet that will evolve, that history is genuinely useful. You can see who changed what and why, and you can link to a specific revision. PasteOkay does not try to compete with that. ### The identity and retention difference A gist is tied to an account. If you paste an internal hostname or a customer sample, the paste is linked to your profile and lives until you delete it. It can be indexed before you notice, and copies may exist elsewhere. PasteOkay is anonymous and expiring. A password is derived in the browser, the text can be encrypted before upload, and the paste stops resolving at the chosen time. The manage link lets the author delete it immediately if something went wrong. ### Which one belongs in your workflow Use Gist for documentation snippets, dotfiles, examples and anything you want to maintain. Use PasteOkay for a temporary credential, a private log or a handoff to somebody who should not need a GitHub account to read it. ## When to choose PasteOkay - You do not want the paste tied to your GitHub identity - The content should expire or be password protected - The recipient does not have a GitHub account ## When to choose GitHub Gist - You want revision history and diffs - The snippet is public documentation - You want comments and GitHub-native sharing ## FAQ Q: Are secret gists private? A: Secret gists are unlisted, not encrypted or access controlled. Anyone with the URL can read one, and GitHub can read the content. PasteOkay can encrypt in the browser so the server only stores ciphertext. Q: Can a Gist expire automatically? A: Gists do not have an expiry setting. They remain until the owner deletes them. PasteOkay enforces expiry on every read and can delete the row when it is burned. Q: Does PasteOkay support revisions? A: No. A paste can be replaced with the manage link, but the previous version is not kept as history. That is deliberate: keeping old ciphertext around would undermine the deletion promise. Q: Can I share code on PasteOkay without an account? A: Yes. The editor, the password derivation and the browser encryption all work without signing up. GitHub requires an account before it will create a gist. --- # PasteOkay vs Google Docs: collaboration versus a private handoff Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/google-docs Category: Code and docs Published: 2026-10-01 Updated: 2026-10-17 Google Docs is built for shared editing and permanent files. We compare its access model, expiry behaviour and privacy with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay for a short private note, a credential or a handoff that should disappear without leaving a document behind. Google Docs verdict: Choose Google Docs when several people must edit, comment and keep a document for months. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Google Docs = Yes for editing - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Google Docs = No automatic expiry - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Google Docs = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; Google Docs = Link permissions only - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; Google Docs = No - Real-time collaboration: PasteOkay = No; Google Docs = Yes - Version history: PasteOkay = No; Google Docs = Yes - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Google Docs = Free with a Google account ## Analysis ### A document is a permanent object Google Docs optimises for persistence and collaboration. The file lives in Drive, it has an owner, it keeps revisions, and it can be shared with a person, a group or anyone with the link. That is exactly what a project plan or a contract needs. The same permanence is a liability for a temporary secret. A document stays in the owner's Drive and in the revision history. If the link is forwarded, access can continue until somebody remembers to revoke it. ### Expiry has to be explicit PasteOkay makes expiry the first decision. The paste is encrypted at rest, can be encrypted again in the browser, and stops resolving when the timer ends. There is no document list to audit later because there is no list. That does not replace access control inside an organisation. It replaces the habit of pasting a password into a doc and hoping everybody forgets it. ### Use each tool for its actual job Write the runbook in Google Docs, share it with the team and keep it. Send the production password in PasteOkay with a one-hour expiry and burn after reading. The two tools are complements, not substitutes. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The content is short, sensitive and temporary - The recipient should not need a Google account - You want the link to stop working without manual cleanup ## When to choose Google Docs - Several people need to edit the same document - You need comments, suggestions and revision history - The document is a long-lived team asset ## FAQ Q: Can I set an expiry on a Google Doc link? A: Google Docs does not provide a paste-style expiry timer. You can revoke sharing manually, but the document remains in Drive and in version history. Q: Is PasteOkay a replacement for Google Docs? A: No. It has no rich text, comments or collaboration. It is a better fit for a single piece of text that should be delivered privately and then disappear. Q: Does PasteOkay require a Google account? A: No account is required. The service issues a random account number for optional PRO features, but the editor and basic pastes work anonymously. Q: Where should a password be shared? A: Not in a document that lives forever. Use PasteOkay with a short expiry and, ideally, send the password through a different channel than the link. --- # PasteOkay vs Notion: a workspace page or a private paste Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/notion Category: Code and docs Published: 2026-10-02 Updated: 2026-10-17 Notion is a workspace for long-lived documents. We compare its sharing model, permanence and account requirement with PasteOkay's expiring, account-free pastes. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay for a short private note that should not become a permanent workspace page. Notion verdict: Choose Notion when the content is a living document that a team will read, edit and link to for months. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Notion = Yes - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Notion = No - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Notion = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; Notion = Workspace permissions - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; Notion = No - Rich content: PasteOkay = Plain text and code; Notion = Blocks, tables, databases - Public discovery: PasteOkay = No; Notion = Pages can be published - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Notion = Free tier, paid plans ## Analysis ### A workspace accumulates Notion is designed to accumulate knowledge. Pages link to other pages, databases roll up properties and the workspace becomes the source of truth. That is valuable, and it is the opposite of a disposable paste. When a temporary secret is stored in Notion, it tends to stay. It may be copied into a template, exported with a workspace or inherited by a new team member. The content outlives the reason it was written. ### The case for a smaller tool PasteOkay does one thing: put text behind a link with a lifetime. There is no page tree to navigate, no permission dialog and no workspace to audit. A password can be derived in the browser, and with encryption enabled the server stores ciphertext only. That simplicity is a security property. Fewer places for the text to exist means fewer places to clean up later. ### A sensible split Keep durable knowledge in Notion. Send the credential, the one-time link or the incident note through PasteOkay with a short expiry. If the note later deserves to become documentation, rewrite it without the secret. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The content is temporary and sensitive - You do not want to create a page or invite anyone - The recipient only needs to read it once ## When to choose Notion - The document needs structure and internal links - A team will maintain it over time - You want databases, templates and comments ## FAQ Q: Does Notion encrypt pages in the browser? A: Notion is a hosted workspace and does not provide a sender-held encryption key for individual pages. PasteOkay can encrypt a paste in the browser before it is uploaded. Q: Can a Notion page expire automatically? A: No. Pages remain until they are deleted or the workspace is removed. PasteOkay enforces a chosen expiry on every read. Q: Is PasteOkay suitable for documentation? A: It is suitable for short, flat text and code. Notion is better for structured documentation, linked pages and content that changes over time. Q: Can I keep a PasteOkay link in Notion? A: You can, but remember that the paste still expires. A Notion page that links to an expired paste becomes a dead reference. Keep durable copies of anything the team must retain. --- # PasteOkay vs Rentry: editable markdown pages versus expiring pastes Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/rentry Category: Code and docs Published: 2026-10-03 Updated: 2026-10-17 Rentry turns markdown into a page with an edit code. We compare its permanent publishing model, custom addresses and privacy with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the text is a private handoff and should not remain published after the conversation ends. Rentry verdict: Choose Rentry when you want a markdown page with a custom address and an edit code you can keep using. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Rentry = No - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Rentry = No automatic expiry - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Rentry = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; Rentry = Edit code, not a reader password - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; Rentry = No - Markdown rendering: PasteOkay = Plain text; Rentry = Yes - Custom address: PasteOkay = PRO; Rentry = Yes - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Rentry = Free ## Analysis ### Publishing and delivery are different jobs Rentry is good at publishing a small page. Markdown becomes formatted text, the address can be chosen, and an edit code lets the author update the page later. It is a practical middle ground between a raw paste and a full website. That model assumes the content should exist at a stable address and be read by an audience. A temporary password handoff has the opposite requirement: it should exist for one recipient and then vanish. ### What the edit code does not solve An edit code proves that you may change the page. It is not a reader password, and it does not encrypt the content. Anyone with the page URL can read it, and the page can be indexed or copied. PasteOkay separates the two concerns. A reader password is derived in the browser, encryption can make the server blind to the text, and the manage link is a separate secret used for editing or deletion. ### When to choose each Use Rentry for a small public page you intend to maintain. Use PasteOkay for a private note, a credential or a one-off handoff that should not become a permanent address. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The content is not meant to be published - You need a reader password or browser encryption - The link should expire and leave nothing behind ## When to choose Rentry - You want a formatted markdown page - You need a custom address for a public resource - You plan to edit the page over time ## FAQ Q: Is Rentry private? A: Rentry pages are reachable by URL and are not encrypted in the browser. Treat a Rentry page as published content, even if the address is not linked from anywhere. Q: Does Rentry support password protection? A: Rentry uses an edit code to authorise changes to a page. That is different from a password a reader must enter before seeing the content, which PasteOkay provides. Q: Can a Rentry page expire? A: Rentry does not provide the same paste-style expiry timer as PasteOkay. A page remains until the author removes it. Q: Which tool is better for a one-time secret? A: PasteOkay, because it supports expiry, burn after reading and browser encryption. A published markdown page is the wrong container for a one-time secret. --- # PasteOkay vs Telegraph: anonymous publishing or private delivery Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/telegra-ph Category: Code and docs Published: 2026-10-04 Updated: 2026-10-17 Telegraph publishes anonymous articles with a permanent URL. We compare its no-account publishing model, formatting and privacy with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay for a private, expiring piece of text that a specific person should read. Telegraph verdict: Choose Telegraph when you want to publish a formatted article anonymously and keep it online. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Telegraph = No - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Telegraph = No - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Telegraph = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; Telegraph = No - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; Telegraph = No - Rich text formatting: PasteOkay = Plain text; Telegraph = Yes - Public page: PasteOkay = No; Telegraph = Yes - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Telegraph = Free ## Analysis ### Telegraph is for readers Telegraph is a publishing surface. It gives an anonymous author a clean article page with formatting, images and a permanent URL. The lack of an account lowers the barrier, and the result looks like a small blog post. That is useful for a public write-up. It is a poor fit for a private note because the page is designed to be read by anyone with the link and to remain online. ### PasteOkay is for a recipient PasteOkay assumes one recipient or a small group. The link can require a password, the content can be encrypted in the browser, and the lifetime is chosen before the paste is created. When the timer ends, the page stops resolving. The editor is plain text by design. That removes formatting as a source of accidental disclosure and keeps the paste small, fast and easy to scan. ### Choose based on the audience Publish with Telegraph when the audience is unknown and the content is meant to last. Send a PasteOkay link when the audience is known and the content is meant to be consumed once. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The content is a private handoff rather than an article - You want a password and a hard expiry - You want the text to remain out of search results ## When to choose Telegraph - You want a formatted public article - The page should stay online indefinitely - You do not need encryption or a password ## FAQ Q: Is Telegraph anonymous? A: Telegraph allows publishing without an account, but the page is public and the platform may retain request metadata. PasteOkay is account-free too and avoids a public page entirely. Q: Can a Telegraph page expire? A: Telegraph does not offer a paste-style expiry timer. The page remains at its URL. PasteOkay enforces a lifetime chosen by the sender. Q: Does Telegraph support encryption? A: No. Telegraph is a publishing platform, not an encrypted pastebin. PasteOkay can encrypt the text in the browser before it reaches the server. Q: Which is better for a password reset message? A: PasteOkay. A published article is the wrong place for a credential, even if the address is obscure. --- # PasteOkay vs CryptPad: a zero-knowledge suite or a single paste Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/cryptpad Category: Code and docs Published: 2026-10-05 Updated: 2026-10-17 CryptPad offers encrypted documents, pads and spreadsheets. We compare its collaboration features, storage model and complexity with PasteOkay's single-purpose editor. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when you need one text handoff with an expiry and nothing else to learn. CryptPad verdict: Choose CryptPad when a team needs encrypted documents, spreadsheets or a shared drive with granular access. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; CryptPad = Optional, for persistent storage - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; CryptPad = Yes - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; CryptPad = Document access and passwords - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; CryptPad = Configurable retention - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; CryptPad = Limited - Rich documents: PasteOkay = Plain text; CryptPad = Docs, sheets, slides, forms - Real-time collaboration: PasteOkay = No; CryptPad = Yes - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; CryptPad = Free tier, paid plans ## Analysis ### 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. ## When to choose PasteOkay - You need a single text paste, not a workspace - The recipient should open one link and read - The content should expire automatically ## When to choose CryptPad - You need collaborative documents or spreadsheets - You want a zero-knowledge drive for a team - You need persistent storage and access management ## FAQ Q: Is CryptPad zero-knowledge? A: 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. Q: Does CryptPad expire documents? A: 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. Q: Can I use CryptPad without an account? A: 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. Q: Which is easier for a one-time password handoff? A: PasteOkay. CryptPad can do it, but the pad workflow is heavier than a paste with an expiry and a password field. --- # PasteOkay vs Etherpad: live collaboration or a quiet link Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/etherpad Category: Code and docs Published: 2026-10-06 Updated: 2026-10-17 Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor used by teams and classrooms. We compare its persistence, privacy and hosting model with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when one person writes and a specific person reads, with an expiry and no shared editing state. Etherpad verdict: Choose Etherpad when several people need to type into the same document at the same time. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Etherpad = No on many instances - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Etherpad = Instance-dependent - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Etherpad = No in the default setup - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; Etherpad = Instance-dependent - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; Etherpad = No - Real-time collaboration: PasteOkay = No; Etherpad = Yes - Self-hosting: PasteOkay = Not packaged; Etherpad = Yes - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Etherpad = Free, hosting costs separate ## Analysis ### Live text is a different product Etherpad shines when a group needs to see each other's cursors and edits in real time. It is a meeting tool, a workshop surface and a lightweight shared notepad. The value is the synchronisation, not the storage. That synchronisation also means the text exists in a live session with revision tracking, depending on the instance. For a private handoff, those are extra copies and extra state you do not need. ### Privacy depends on the operator The upstream Etherpad project does not encrypt content in the browser by default. A self-hosted instance can be hardened, but a public instance is still a server that can read the pad. PasteOkay encrypts at rest and can encrypt in the browser before upload. PasteOkay also avoids the shared-room problem. There is no second participant who can accidentally leave the tab open, and no live session that persists after everyone forgets about it. ### A note on hosting If you already run Etherpad, keep it for collaboration. Use PasteOkay for the credential you need to hand to one person during the meeting, with a ten-minute expiry and burn after reading. ## When to choose PasteOkay - Only one person writes the content - The link should expire or be deleted after reading - You want encryption without operating a server ## When to choose Etherpad - Several people must edit simultaneously - You need a live shared notepad for a session - You control the instance and its retention ## FAQ Q: Is Etherpad encrypted? A: The default Etherpad setup is not end-to-end encrypted. Content is stored on the server, so the operator can read it. PasteOkay encrypts at rest and supports browser encryption. Q: Can I password protect an Etherpad? A: Some instances add authentication or password plugins, but it is not the core model. PasteOkay includes a reader password derived in the browser. Q: Does Etherpad delete pads automatically? A: Retention depends on the instance configuration. Some operators remove idle pads, but there is no sender-chosen expiry like PasteOkay's timer. Q: Which tool is better for a meeting? A: Etherpad, if the point is live collaboration. PasteOkay, if the point is to send one private note to one participant. --- # PasteOkay vs Bitwarden Send: encrypted text with or without a vault Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/bitwarden-send Category: Secure transfer Published: 2026-10-07 Updated: 2026-10-17 Bitwarden Send is an encrypted sharing feature inside a password manager. We compare its account requirement, text limits and workflow with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the recipient has no Bitwarden account, or when you want a no-signup paste with an expiry and a manage link. Bitwarden Send verdict: Choose Bitwarden Send when you already use Bitwarden and want sharing inside a security product your team has approved. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Bitwarden Send = Yes for the sender - Recipient account: PasteOkay = No; Bitwarden Send = No - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Bitwarden Send = Yes - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; Bitwarden Send = Yes - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Bitwarden Send = Presets and custom - Access limit: PasteOkay = Burn after reading; Bitwarden Send = Maximum access count - File attachments: PasteOkay = No; Bitwarden Send = Yes on paid plans - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Bitwarden Send = Free tier, paid plans ## Analysis ### The account is the catch Bitwarden Send is a strong product. The sender creates a Send from a Bitwarden account, the content is encrypted, and the recipient opens a link in a browser. Expiry and access limits are part of the flow, and files are supported on paid plans. The requirement is at the front door: you need an account to create a Send. That is reasonable for a password manager, but it is friction when you just need to hand a line of text to somebody outside the organisation. ### PasteOkay removes the vault PasteOkay has no vault to unlock. You open the page, paste, choose an expiry and optionally a password, and send the link. The recipient does not need an account, an app or an invitation. The encryption model is comparable in spirit: the browser holds the key material that matters. PasteOkay also stores the paste encrypted at rest, and the manage link lets the author delete it without contacting support. ### Which workflow is safer? Bitwarden Send has the advantage of living inside a product with organisation policies, audit tooling and a familiar security posture. PasteOkay has the advantage of being usable by anyone with a browser and a link, including a client or a contractor who will never install a password manager. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The recipient has no account and should not need one - You want a simple text handoff with an expiry - You need a manage link for deletion without a vault ## When to choose Bitwarden Send - Your team already standardises on Bitwarden - You need to send a file as well as text - You want sharing governed by a password manager ## FAQ Q: Does Bitwarden Send require an account? A: Yes, creating a Send requires a Bitwarden account. The recipient can open the link without one. PasteOkay requires no account for either side. Q: Is PasteOkay as secure as Bitwarden Send? A: Both encrypt content and support passwords. Bitwarden is a larger security product with organisation controls. PasteOkay is a focused paste service with a smaller feature surface, which is easier to reason about for a one-off link. Q: Can PasteOkay send files? A: No. It is text-only. Bitwarden Send supports file attachments on paid plans, so it is the better choice when the payload is a document or an archive. Q: Do both support burn after reading? A: PasteOkay has an explicit burn after reading option. Bitwarden Send uses a maximum access count, which can achieve a similar one-read behaviour depending on the plan and settings. --- # PasteOkay vs Yopass: one-time secrets and encrypted pastes Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/yopass Category: Secure transfer Published: 2026-10-08 Updated: 2026-10-17 Yopass is an open-source service for one-time secrets. We compare its one-read model, expiry, self-hosting and interface with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the recipient may need to open the text more than once during a short window, or when you want a manage link. Yopass verdict: Choose Yopass when the requirement is strict: one read, then the secret is gone. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Yopass = No - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Yopass = Yes - One-time read: PasteOkay = Optional burn after reading; Yopass = Default model - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Yopass = Preset choices - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; Yopass = Optional passphrase - Manage later: PasteOkay = Manage link; Yopass = No - Rich text: PasteOkay = Plain text and code; Yopass = Plain text - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Yopass = Free, self-hosting available ## Analysis ### One read changes the workflow Yopass is designed around a single retrieval. That is the right model for a password that should be consumed once, because it minimises the window in which the secret can be copied or replayed. The trade-off is practical. A recipient who opens the link in the wrong browser, loses the tab or needs to check a detail cannot read it again. PasteOkay makes burn after reading optional, so the sender can choose between a strict one-read handoff and a short window with a few opens. ### Presentation and follow-up PasteOkay is a paste page: code is highlighted, the expiry is visible and the text can be copied with one button. Yopass is more of a secret-delivery form. Both are encrypted, but they serve different moments. PasteOkay also returns a manage link. If the wrong text was sent, the author can replace it without creating a second secret and re-explaining the whole flow. ### Which lifetime model fits Use Yopass for a single credential with a strict one-read requirement. Use PasteOkay when the content is a note or a config that one person may need to revisit before it expires. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The recipient may need a second look before expiry - You want syntax highlighting and a readable page - You need a manage link to fix or delete the paste ## When to choose Yopass - The secret must be read exactly once - You want a minimal one-purpose interface - You prefer a self-hostable open-source tool ## FAQ Q: Does Yopass delete the secret after one read? A: Yopass is built around one-time secrets, so the intended flow is a single retrieval. The exact behaviour depends on the instance and its configuration. Q: Does PasteOkay support one-time reads? A: Yes, with burn after reading. The paste row is deleted on the first successful open, so a second request receives a not-found response. Q: Are both services zero-knowledge? A: Both encrypt in the browser and keep the key out of the server request. PasteOkay additionally encrypts the stored blob at rest. Yopass can be self-hosted for full control. Q: Which is better for a password manager recovery code? A: Yopass is a strong fit if one read is enough. PasteOkay is better if the recipient may need to copy several values from the same paste over a short period. --- # PasteOkay vs magic-wormhole: terminal encryption or a browser link Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/wormhole Category: Secure transfer Published: 2026-10-09 Updated: 2026-10-17 magic-wormhole transfers files and text between terminals with end-to-end encryption. We compare its code phrase workflow with PasteOkay's browser paste. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the recipient is a person with a browser and you need a link that persists for a chosen window. magic-wormhole verdict: Choose magic-wormhole when both sides have a terminal and you want a direct, short-lived, end-to-end encrypted transfer. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; magic-wormhole = No - Recipient installs software: PasteOkay = No; magic-wormhole = Yes - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; magic-wormhole = Yes - File transfer: PasteOkay = No; magic-wormhole = Yes - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; magic-wormhole = Session-based, short-lived - Works on a phone: PasteOkay = Yes; magic-wormhole = Possible, but terminal-first - Persistent link: PasteOkay = Yes; magic-wormhole = No - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; magic-wormhole = Free and open source ## Analysis ### Two very different handoffs magic-wormhole gives two machines a shared secret through a short code phrase, then transfers the payload directly with end-to-end encryption. The relay helps the peers find each other but cannot read the content. It is elegant and designed for people comfortable with a terminal. PasteOkay gives one person a URL. There is nothing to install, the link opens on a phone and the text is rendered for reading. The key, when browser encryption is enabled, travels in the fragment and never reaches the server. ### Persistence is the trade-off A wormhole transfer is a live session. If the recipient is not there, the transfer waits or fails. That is good for security and awkward for asynchronous work across time zones. A PasteOkay link waits until its expiry. The sender can create it now and the recipient can open it tomorrow, provided the chosen lifetime is long enough and the password is communicated separately. ### Which one to carry Keep magic-wormhole for machine-to-machine transfers and for cases where installing a client is acceptable. Use PasteOkay when the human on the other end should not have to learn a command. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The recipient will not install a command-line tool - The link must work later, not only during a live session - You want a readable page and an expiry countdown ## When to choose magic-wormhole - Both sides have a terminal and the tool installed - You need to transfer a file - A short-lived live session is the right model ## FAQ Q: Is magic-wormhole end-to-end encrypted? A: Yes. The peers derive keys from the code phrase and the relay cannot read the payload. PasteOkay achieves a similar property for text by placing the key in the URL fragment, which browsers do not transmit. Q: Does PasteOkay transfer files? A: No. It is a text paste service. Use magic-wormhole or a file host when the payload is binary. Q: Can I use magic-wormhole on a phone? A: There are clients, but the workflow is terminal-first and less convenient than opening a link. PasteOkay is designed for mobile browsers. Q: Which is better for a one-time password? A: magic-wormhole if both people are at a terminal and the transfer can happen live. PasteOkay if the recipient needs a link they can open whenever they see the message. --- # Firefox Send is gone: the best alternatives for encrypted file and text sharing Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/firefox-send Category: Secure transfer Published: 2026-10-10 Updated: 2026-10-17 Firefox Send shut down in 2020. We explain what replaced it, which alternatives keep the encrypted-link idea alive, and where PasteOkay fits for text. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay for encrypted text that expires, with no account and no app to install. Firefox Send (discontinued) verdict: Firefox Send no longer accepts uploads. Its file-sharing role is now covered by other services, and its text role maps closely to PasteOkay. ## Comparison table - Service status: PasteOkay = Active; Firefox Send (discontinued) = Discontinued in 2020 - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Firefox Send (discontinued) = Not any more - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Firefox Send (discontinued) = Was supported - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Firefox Send (discontinued) = Historical feature - Text pastes: PasteOkay = Yes; Firefox Send (discontinued) = Limited - File transfer: PasteOkay = No; Firefox Send (discontinued) = Was supported - Browser extension: PasteOkay = Not required; Firefox Send (discontinued) = Not required - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Firefox Send (discontinued) = No longer available ## Analysis ### 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. ## When to choose PasteOkay - You need the text half of the old Firefox Send workflow - You want browser encryption without an account - The link should expire automatically ## When to choose Firefox Send (discontinued) - 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 ## FAQ Q: Is Firefox Send coming back? A: Mozilla discontinued the service and there has been no announced return. Treat any site claiming to be the official replacement with caution. Q: What is the closest Firefox Send alternative for text? A: PasteOkay follows the same idea: a link that expires, optional encryption and no account. It focuses on text rather than files. Q: Can PasteOkay send files? A: No. It is a text paste service. For files, choose a dedicated encrypted transfer service and keep the passphrase in a separate channel. Q: Why did Firefox Send shut down? A: 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. --- # PasteOkay vs transfer.sh: a curl upload or a private text link Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/transfer-sh Category: Secure transfer Published: 2026-10-11 Updated: 2026-10-17 transfer.sh shares files from the command line with a simple curl command. We compare its retention, encryption and terminal workflow with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay for text and code that needs a password, browser encryption and a predictable expiry. transfer.sh verdict: Choose transfer.sh when the payload is a file and the fastest path is a curl command. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; transfer.sh = No - Primary content: PasteOkay = Text and code; transfer.sh = Files - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; transfer.sh = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; transfer.sh = No - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; transfer.sh = Service-defined - Web editor: PasteOkay = Yes; transfer.sh = No - Edit or delete later: PasteOkay = Manage link; transfer.sh = Limited - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; transfer.sh = Free ## Analysis ### The command line is the interface transfer.sh is used from a shell: upload a file with curl, receive a URL, share the URL. It is a great fit for build artefacts, screenshots and logs that are already files on disk. There is no account and no form. That convenience comes without a privacy layer. The upload is plaintext from the service's perspective, and retention is controlled by the operator rather than by the sender. ### Text needs a different surface PasteOkay is built for text. The page highlights code, shows the remaining lifetime and offers a one-click copy. The password is derived in the browser and the text can be encrypted before upload. If the content is a configuration snippet, a token or a message rather than a file, the paste workflow is shorter and safer than uploading a text file to a file host. ### A combined workflow Upload the binary with transfer.sh. Put the checksum, the passphrase or the instructions in PasteOkay with a short expiry. The recipient gets a file and a private note, and neither service needs an account. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The content is text, code or a configuration snippet - You need a password or browser encryption - You want to delete or replace the paste later ## When to choose transfer.sh - The payload is a file - You want a single curl command - The content is not sensitive ## FAQ Q: Does transfer.sh encrypt files? A: The service is a command-line file host and does not advertise browser-held encryption. Encrypt the file locally before uploading if the content is sensitive. Q: Can PasteOkay upload a file? A: No. PasteOkay is text-only. Use a file service for binary content and a paste for the instructions or the passphrase. Q: How long do transfer.sh links live? A: Retention is defined by the service and can change. Check the current policy before relying on a particular lifetime. PasteOkay lets the sender choose the lifetime explicitly. Q: Which is easier for a colleague? A: PasteOkay. A paste link opens a readable page, while a file link starts a download and asks the recipient to handle a file. --- # PasteOkay vs WeTransfer: big files or a small private text Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/wetransfer Category: Secure transfer Published: 2026-10-12 Updated: 2026-10-17 WeTransfer is built for sending large files with a download link. We compare its expiry, encryption and account model with PasteOkay's text-first pastes. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the content is text and you want a password, an expiry and no download step. WeTransfer verdict: Choose WeTransfer when the deliverable is a large file or a folder of assets. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; WeTransfer = Optional - Primary content: PasteOkay = Text and code; WeTransfer = Large files and folders - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; WeTransfer = No in the standard flow - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; WeTransfer = Available on paid plans - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; WeTransfer = Fixed free-tier window - Download required: PasteOkay = No; WeTransfer = Yes - Text editor: PasteOkay = Yes; WeTransfer = Limited message field - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; WeTransfer = Free tier, paid plans ## Analysis ### A transfer service is about payload size WeTransfer exists because email attachments are a bad way to send a video or a design package. The product handles large files, gives the recipient a download page and removes the transfer after a set window. For a folder of images, it is the right tool. It is not designed for a short secret. The recipient still has to download something, the message field is not a secure note and the free tier's retention is set by the service. ### Text should stay text PasteOkay renders the content directly. There is no archive to open, no preview to trust and no download folder to clean up. The password is derived in the browser, and the paste can be encrypted before it leaves the device. That makes PasteOkay a better fit for a line of configuration, a recovery code or a private note that accompanies a file sent elsewhere. ### The sensible combination Send the assets with WeTransfer and the access details with PasteOkay. Keep the two links separate and give the paste a shorter lifetime than the transfer. When the paste expires, the file link alone is not enough to get in. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The content is text and should stay text - You need a password or encryption - You want the link to expire on a precise schedule ## When to choose WeTransfer - You need to send large files or folders - The recipient expects a download page - The content is not a secret ## FAQ Q: Does WeTransfer encrypt files in the browser? A: The standard free flow is a hosted transfer, not a zero-knowledge encrypted paste. For sensitive files, encrypt them before uploading or use a service designed for end-to-end encrypted transfer. Q: Can I send text with WeTransfer? A: There is a message field, but it is not a paste editor with a password, expiry and code highlighting. PasteOkay is designed for that job. Q: Which service is cheaper for a short note? A: PasteOkay. A basic paste is free and does not require an account. WeTransfer's free tier is built around file transfers and has its own limits. Q: How long do WeTransfer links last? A: The free-tier retention is set by WeTransfer and can change. PasteOkay lets the sender choose from ten minutes to thirty days, with a never option. --- # PasteOkay vs OneTimeSecret: one-time secret links compared Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/onetimesecret Category: Secure transfer Published: 2026-10-13 Updated: 2026-10-17 OneTimeSecret shares a secret through a link that self-destructs after reading. We compare its passphrase model, expiry and text handling with PasteOkay. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the secret is part of a longer paste, needs code highlighting, or the recipient may need a short window rather than a single read. OneTimeSecret verdict: Choose OneTimeSecret when the entire payload is one short secret and a single read is the requirement. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; OneTimeSecret = No - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; OneTimeSecret = Passphrase-based protection - One-time read: PasteOkay = Optional; OneTimeSecret = Yes - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; OneTimeSecret = Preset choices - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; OneTimeSecret = Passphrase - Long text and code: PasteOkay = Yes, up to 2 MB on PRO; OneTimeSecret = Short secrets are the focus - Manage later: PasteOkay = Manage link; OneTimeSecret = No - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; OneTimeSecret = Free tier, paid plans ## Analysis ### The classic one-shot secret OneTimeSecret made the pattern familiar: paste a secret, protect it with a passphrase, send a link, and the secret disappears after it is viewed. It is a focused tool that does one job and has done it for a long time. That focus is also a limit. The interface is built for a short value, not a multi-line configuration file or a code snippet that benefits from highlighting and a readable page. ### A paste that can behave like a secret PasteOkay supports burn after reading, so it can deliver the same one-shot behaviour. The difference is that burning is a choice. A password reset note can live for an hour and be opened twice; a recovery code can be configured to disappear on the first read. The editor also handles the surrounding context. You can include the service name, the username and the instructions in one paste, with the secret on its own line. ### Which one to choose Use OneTimeSecret for a single short value with a hard one-read rule. Use PasteOkay when the secret needs context, code formatting or a manageable link that the sender can correct. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The paste contains instructions as well as a secret - You want code highlighting and a larger text area - Burn after reading should be optional ## When to choose OneTimeSecret - The payload is one short secret - A single read is mandatory - You want the simplest possible form ## FAQ Q: Is OneTimeSecret end-to-end encrypted? A: OneTimeSecret protects secrets with a passphrase and encrypts them on the server. Unlike PasteOkay's browser encryption option, the service can process the secret when it is created. Check the current documentation for the exact model. Q: Does PasteOkay force a single read? A: No. Burn after reading is optional. When it is enabled, the paste row is deleted on the first successful open. Q: Can I correct a secret after sending it? A: PasteOkay returns a manage link that can replace or delete the paste. OneTimeSecret's one-shot model does not offer the same editing workflow. Q: Which is better for a long recovery kit? A: PasteOkay, because it accepts a larger text and keeps the formatting readable. OneTimeSecret is optimised for a short value. --- # PasteOkay vs Slack: channel history versus a private expiring paste Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/slack Category: Chat and email Published: 2026-10-14 Updated: 2026-10-17 Slack keeps team conversations searchable for months. We compare its retention, access model and file handling with PasteOkay's private, expiring links. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay for a secret or a sensitive log that should not become searchable team history. Slack verdict: Choose Slack when the content is a normal part of the conversation and the team needs to find it later. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Slack = Yes, a workspace account - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Slack = Workspace retention policy - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Slack = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; Slack = Channel access - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; Slack = No - Searchable history: PasteOkay = No; Slack = Yes - Works outside the workspace: PasteOkay = Yes; Slack = No - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Slack = Free tier, paid plans ## Analysis ### Chat history is a record Slack is excellent at what it does: fast conversation, threads, search and integrations. The price of that convenience is a durable record. Messages can be searched, exported, retained by policy and read by administrators. When a credential is pasted into a channel, deleting the message later does not reliably remove it from exports, notifications or the memory of everyone who saw it. ### A better way to hand over a secret PasteOkay keeps the secret out of the conversation. You send a link with a short expiry, optionally protect it with a password and, if needed, enable burn after reading. The content never enters the workspace search index. The recipient does not need a PasteOkay account or a workspace invitation. That matters for contractors, clients and anyone outside the organisation. ### Keep the conversation in Slack Use Slack for the discussion and the context. When the discussion reaches a secret, send a PasteOkay link and put the password in a separate channel or a password manager. That split is simple enough to become a habit. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The content is a credential or a sensitive log - The recipient is outside the workspace - The text should disappear after a short window ## When to choose Slack - The content is part of an ongoing conversation - The team needs searchable history - You want threads, mentions and integrations ## FAQ Q: Is pasting a password in Slack safe? A: No. Slack messages are retained according to workspace policy and can be searched, exported or read by administrators. Use a dedicated secret-sharing tool with an expiry instead. Q: Can Slack messages be set to expire? A: Workspace retention settings exist on some plans, but they are an administrative policy rather than a sender-chosen per-message timer. PasteOkay lets the sender choose the lifetime. Q: Does PasteOkay integrate with Slack? A: There is no Slack app. The workflow is a link: create a paste, send the link in the channel and communicate the password separately. Q: Who can read a PasteOkay link? A: Anyone who has the link and, when set, the password. That is why the link and the password should travel through different channels. --- # PasteOkay vs Discord: server chat versus a private paste link Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/discord Category: Chat and email Published: 2026-10-15 Updated: 2026-10-17 Discord is built for communities, voice and persistent message history. We compare its privacy boundaries and retention with PasteOkay's expiring links. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the content is private and the recipient is one person, not a server. Discord verdict: Choose Discord when the content belongs in a community conversation and persistence is acceptable. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Discord = Yes - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Discord = No per-message expiry - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Discord = No - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; Discord = Channel permissions - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; Discord = No - Searchable history: PasteOkay = No; Discord = Yes - Works without an account: PasteOkay = Yes; Discord = No - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Discord = Free, paid boosts ## Analysis ### A server is a public-ish space Discord channels are governed by roles and permissions, not by cryptography. Administrators, moderators and bots can often read what is posted. Deleted messages may still exist in logs, exports or notifications. For a community announcement, that is fine. For a password, a support token or a customer's personal data, the channel is the wrong container. ### One recipient, one link PasteOkay narrows the audience to whoever holds the link and the password. The sender chooses an expiry, can enable burn after reading and can delete the paste with a manage link. The server does not publish a feed and the paste is not searchable. It also works for people outside Discord. A client or a friend can open the link in a browser without creating an account or joining a server. ### The right split Use Discord for the conversation and the community. When a secret needs to change hands, send a paste link and keep the password out of the same message. It is a small extra step that removes a large class of mistakes. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The content is private and meant for one person - You need an expiry or a password - The recipient does not use Discord ## When to choose Discord - The content is part of a community conversation - You need voice, video or persistent chat - The content is not sensitive ## FAQ Q: Can I delete a message from Discord permanently? A: Deleting a message removes it from the visible channel, but copies may exist in logs, exports, notifications or screenshots. Do not treat deletion as a guarantee of erasure. Q: Does PasteOkay have a Discord bot? A: No. The service is intentionally small and has no chat integrations. The workflow is a link with an optional password. Q: Which is better for a game server password? A: Send the password as a PasteOkay link with a short expiry and a separate password. Posting it in a public channel gives everyone with access a permanent copy. Q: Is PasteOkay safe for a community? A: It is safer than a public channel because the content is not part of a searchable history and can expire. It is still a shared link, so treat anyone who receives it as a reader. --- # PasteOkay vs email: permanent mailboxes versus a link that expires Canonical: https://okay.ovh/compare/email Category: Chat and email Published: 2026-10-16 Updated: 2026-10-17 Email is universal and permanent. We compare its retention, forwarding behaviour and security with PasteOkay's expiring, password-protected links. PasteOkay verdict: Choose PasteOkay when the content is sensitive enough that you do not want a second copy in a mailbox, an archive or a backup. Email verdict: Choose email when the content is ordinary correspondence and the recipient expects it in their inbox. ## Comparison table - Account required: PasteOkay = No; Email = Yes, an email address - Expiry control: PasteOkay = 10 minutes to 30 days; Email = No - Client-side encryption: PasteOkay = Yes; Email = Only with extra tools - Password protection: PasteOkay = Yes; Email = Not for the message body - Burn after reading: PasteOkay = Yes; Email = No - Copies on servers: PasteOkay = Ciphertext only; Email = Sender, recipient and backups - Works without an account: PasteOkay = Yes; Email = No - Price: PasteOkay = Free, PRO $5 once; Email = Free ## Analysis ### Email is a copy machine Every message is copied to the sender's sent folder, the recipient's inbox and often to backups, archives and security gateways. Forwarding is one click. Deleting a message does not delete the copies that already exist. That is a reasonable trade for a meeting note or an invoice. It is a bad trade for a password, a private key or a customer record that should exist for ten minutes. ### Separate the message from the secret PasteOkay lets you keep the useful part of email: a link with a sentence of context. The secret itself lives behind the link, protected by a password and an expiry. The mailbox holds a URL, not the credential. With browser encryption enabled, the server stores ciphertext and the key travels in the fragment. Even a later compromise of the database does not expose the text. ### A habit that scales Send the context by email, the link in the same message and the password by another channel. Set a lifetime that matches the task. Delete the paste when it is no longer needed, even if the timer has not run out. ## When to choose PasteOkay - The content is a secret or contains personal data - You want the link to expire or be revocable - You do not want a permanent copy in a mailbox ## When to choose Email - The message is ordinary correspondence - You need attachments and a long thread - The recipient expects everything in the inbox ## FAQ Q: Is email encrypted? A: Transport encryption protects a message between servers, but the message is usually readable at rest by the mail providers. End-to-end encrypted email exists, but it requires both sides to use compatible tools. Q: Why send a link instead of the text? A: A link can expire, require a password and be deleted. The email can remain in the mailbox without containing the secret itself. Q: Can I recall an email after sending it? A: Recall is unreliable and depends on the provider and the recipient's client. A paste that expires is a more predictable way to limit the lifetime of the content. Q: What if the paste expires before the recipient reads it? A: Create a new paste with a longer lifetime, or send the content again. The expiry is intentionally visible, so the sender can choose a window that fits the recipient. --- # How to share a password safely without leaving it in chat or email Canonical: https://okay.ovh/guides/share-a-password-safely Category: Security guides Time required: PT3M Published: 2026-10-17 Updated: 2026-10-17 A step-by-step method for sending a password or credential so it expires, can be read once, and never sits in a mailbox or chat history. ## Introduction A password sent in a chat message is a password stored in a searchable history, a notification, a backup and possibly a screenshot. The goal is not perfect secrecy; it is to reduce the number of copies and the time they exist. The method below uses PasteOkay, but the principles apply to any encrypted paste or secret-sharing tool: separate the link from the password, set a short lifetime, and delete the content when the handoff is done. ## Steps 1. Open the editor on a trusted device: Go to okay.ovh in a private window. Check that the address is correct and that the connection is HTTPS before you type anything. 2. Paste the credential with enough context: Include the service, the username and the password so the recipient does not need a second message. Keep unrelated secrets out of the same paste. 3. Choose the shortest workable expiry: Ten minutes if the recipient is ready, one hour if they are not. A shorter lifetime is the simplest security improvement available. 4. Add a paste password and send it separately: Use a different password from the one in the paste. Send the link through one channel and the paste password through another, for example chat and a phone call. 5. Encrypt in the browser for a zero-knowledge handoff: Enable browser encryption when the content is especially sensitive. The key stays after the # in the link and is never sent to the server. 6. Enable burn after reading when one read is enough: Burn after reading deletes the row on the first successful open. Use it when the recipient is waiting and does not need to revisit the text. 7. Send the link, keep the manage link, then delete: The manage link is shown once. Keep it in a password manager so you can replace or delete the paste if the message reaches the wrong person. ## Details ### Why chat and email are the wrong container Chat platforms are built to retain and index messages. Email is copied to a sent folder, an inbox and often a backup or security gateway. Deleting the visible message does not remove those copies. A paste with an expiry is different: the content lives at one address, the address stops resolving, and the author can delete it early. The message can still say what the secret is for, but it no longer contains the secret. ### What the recipient experiences The recipient opens one link, enters the paste password if one was set, and reads or copies the text. If the paste was encrypted in the browser, the key is in the fragment of the link and the page decrypts locally. If the paste was configured to burn after reading, the first successful open deletes it. A second attempt receives a not-found response rather than another copy. ### If the link or password leaks Open the manage link and delete the paste immediately. If the credential was already read, rotate it at the source. The expiry limits the window, but it does not undo a disclosure that already happened. For future handoffs, shorten the expiry, use burn after reading and send the password through a different channel. Those three changes remove most of the practical risk. ## FAQ Q: Is it safe to send a password in a chat? A: It is convenient, not safe. Chat history is retained and searchable, and copies can exist in notifications, backups and screenshots. Use an expiring link and send the paste password separately. Q: Should the password be inside the paste or used to protect the paste? A: If the paste contains a credential, protect the paste with a different password and send that password through another channel. Do not reuse the credential as the paste password. Q: Does browser encryption protect the paste from the server? A: Yes. The browser generates the key and keeps it in the part of the URL after the #, which browsers do not send to servers. The stored blob is ciphertext. Q: What is the safest expiry for a password handoff? A: The shortest window that still works for the recipient. Ten minutes is appropriate when they are ready; one hour is a practical maximum for a live handoff. --- # How to share logs without leaking tokens, hostnames and personal data Canonical: https://okay.ovh/guides/share-logs-without-leaking-secrets Category: Security guides Time required: PT5M Published: 2026-10-17 Updated: 2026-10-17 A practical redaction and handoff checklist for logs, stack traces and configuration files that may contain credentials or personal data. ## Introduction A log is rarely just a log. It can contain bearer tokens, cookies, internal hostnames, email addresses, database URLs and the names of customers. The person asking for it usually needs the shape of the failure, not the secrets around it. This checklist keeps the diagnostic useful while reducing the data that leaves your environment. ## Steps 1. Collect only the relevant window: Take the smallest time range and the fewest lines that still show the failure. A full day of logs is usually unnecessary and increases the chance of including unrelated personal data. 2. Replace secrets before you copy: Replace bearer tokens, cookies, API keys, passwords and connection strings with placeholders such as [REDACTED_TOKEN]. Keep the prefix and length if they matter for diagnosis. 3. Remove or generalise identifiers: Replace email addresses, customer names, account numbers and internal hostnames with stable placeholders. Keep the pattern if the request depends on it. 4. Put the log in a private paste with an expiry: Use a text paste rather than a public file host. Set an expiry that matches the support conversation and add a password when the log is shared outside the team. 5. Send the link and the password separately: The link can go in the ticket; the password can go in a direct message or a call. This prevents a forwarded ticket from exposing both halves. 6. Delete the paste when the issue is resolved: Use the manage link to delete it early. Do not wait for the timer if the diagnostic is no longer needed. ## Details ### The fields that leak most often Authorization headers, cookies, query strings with tokens, connection strings, signed URLs and request bodies are the usual suspects. Internal hostnames and IP addresses reveal architecture; email addresses and user identifiers create privacy obligations. A simple search for words such as authorization, bearer, token, password, secret, cookie and session catches many of them. It is not a complete audit, but it removes the obvious mistakes. ### Public pastebins and search engines Public paste hosts can be indexed, archived and copied. Deleting the original does not remove third-party copies. A private paste with an expiry is a better default for a diagnostic that contains anything specific to your system. If the log is genuinely public and useful to others, publish it through a channel you control and review it as carefully as a blog post. ### What to tell the person receiving the log Say what was redacted and why. If a placeholder hides a value that matters, describe its shape instead of restoring the secret. A good handoff gives the recipient enough to reproduce the problem without giving them access to production. ## FAQ Q: Can I paste a log into a public pastebin? A: Only if you have reviewed it and are comfortable with it being public, indexed and copied. Logs often contain tokens or personal data, so a private expiring paste is the safer default. Q: What should I redact from a stack trace? A: Authorization headers, cookies, API keys, connection strings, email addresses, customer identifiers and internal hostnames. Keep the format and enough surrounding lines to reproduce the error. Q: Does an expiry make a public paste safe? A: It limits the window, but public pastes can be copied immediately. Expiry is not access control. Use a password and browser encryption when the content is sensitive. Q: How long should a shared log stay online? A: No longer than the support conversation needs. Set a short expiry and delete the paste with the manage link when the issue is resolved. --- # Burn after reading: when a one-time link helps and when it backfires Canonical: https://okay.ovh/guides/use-burn-after-reading Category: Security guides Time required: PT2M Published: 2026-10-17 Updated: 2026-10-17 How burn-after-reading links work, when a single read is the right model, and how to avoid locking out the person who needs the text. ## Introduction Burn after reading deletes a paste on the first successful open. It is the closest thing to a guaranteed one-read handoff, and it is easy to misuse. The feature is a good fit for a recovery code, a one-time password or a handoff where the recipient is already waiting. It is a poor fit for a document someone may need to revisit. ## Steps 1. Decide whether one read is enough: If the recipient may need to copy several values, check a detail twice or open the link on another device, a short expiry is safer than a forced one-read. 2. Create the paste and enable burn after reading: Add the text, choose a short expiry as a fallback, and tick the burn option. The expiry still applies if the link is never opened. 3. Make sure the recipient is ready: Send a message asking them to confirm they are at the device where they will use the secret. Do not send the link into a channel that nobody is watching. 4. Send the password through another channel: If the paste is password protected, send the password separately. The recipient should have both halves before the first open. 5. Open once and copy what you need: The first successful open deletes the paste. Copy the values into the place they are needed before closing the tab. 6. Use the manage link if the handoff fails: If the wrong person opened it or the recipient opened it by mistake, create a new paste. The original cannot be recovered, which is the point. ## Details ### When a one-time link is the right choice Use it for a recovery code, a temporary password, a single invite token or a handoff where the recipient is known to be ready. The value is that a forwarded link does not provide a second opportunity to read the content. It is also useful when the sender wants a clear, auditable statement: this content was designed to be consumed once. ### When it backfires A recipient who opens the link in the wrong browser, loses the tab or needs to check a detail has no second chance. In a support or onboarding flow, that creates friction and encourages people to send the secret through a worse channel. For a multi-line configuration or a set of instructions, use a short expiry instead. The expiry still removes the content without making a single mistake fatal. ### What happens technically PasteOkay compares the expiry on every read. When burn after reading is enabled, the first successful open deletes the row, so a second request receives a not-found response rather than another copy. The manage link still works for deletion, but the content cannot be recovered. ## FAQ Q: Does burn after reading delete the paste immediately? A: It deletes the row on the first successful open. A second request receives a not-found response instead of the text. Q: Can I recover a paste after it was burned? A: No. The content is removed and cannot be recovered. Create a new paste if the handoff needs to happen again. Q: Is burn after reading better than an expiry? A: They solve different problems. Burn is stricter for a one-read handoff; an expiry is more forgiving for a short window with several reads. Q: Can I use both? A: Yes. Set a short expiry as a fallback and enable burn after reading. The paste disappears at the first read or at the expiry, whichever comes first.