File Transfer
OnionShare
Share files, websites, or chat via a temporary Tor onion address.
OnionShare is a secure way to send files directly. It helps you keep more control over your data.
Who is this for?
✓ Good for you if:
- • Sending files without exposing your IP or needing an account
- • Journalists and sources sharing sensitive material
- • Hosting a temporary site or dropbox during an event
- • Bypassing censorship with Tor routing
⚠ Think twice if:
- • You need high-speed transfers for very large files
- • Your recipients cannot or will not use Tor Browser
- • You want a permanent link that works after your host goes offline
- • You prefer mainstream workflows
Overview
OnionShare is a tool for sharing files completely anonymously. It uses something called the Tor network, which is like a secret tunnel on the internet that hides who you are and where you're going. When you use OnionShare, it creates a temporary, anonymous website that only exists on the Tor network. You upload your file to this temporary website, get a special link, and share that link with the person you want to send the file to. Because everything goes through Tor, no one can see who's sharing the file or who's downloading it. The file automatically gets deleted after it's downloaded or after a certain time. OnionShare is free, open source, and particularly useful for journalists, activists, or anyone who needs to share sensitive files without anyone knowing who they are.
Privacy highlight
Secure file sharing via . Complete anonymity through Tor hidden services. No central server, automatic file deletion. .
Quick facts
- Country:
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Pricing:
- Free
- Platform:
- Desktop, Mobile
- Technical:
- Intermediate
- :
- Yes
- :
- No telemetry
- :
- Yes
- Open-source status:
- Fully open source
- :
- No
- :
- No
Key features
- Secure way to send files directly.
Security & encryption Click to expand
- Yes
- Encryption protocols
- Tor, ,
- OnionShare uses Tor hidden services for anonymous file sharing, which provides through the . The service creates temporary Tor hidden services for each file sharing session, with handled by the Tor protocol. OnionShare does not require user-managed keys - all is handled automatically by Tor. Files are served through Tor hidden services, providing strong anonymity and . The service uses standard for stored files when not actively sharing.
- Offline support
- No
Telemetry & tracking Click to expand
- No telemetry
- No
- Ip no
- OnionShare does not collect data. The tool operates locally with no or code. All file sharing happens through Tor hidden services with no central server involved. OnionShare does not track users, collect usage statistics, or monitor file transfers. The tool provides complete anonymity and privacy through the .
Jurisdiction & compliance Click to expand
- OnionShare is open-source software with no central jurisdiction. The tool operates locally and through Tor hidden services with no central server, so there is no data residency concern. Files are shared through temporary Tor hidden services and never stored on servers.
- OnionShare does not retain any data. The tool operates entirely locally and through Tor hidden services with no central server, so there is no data storage or retention. Files are shared through temporary Tor hidden services and are automatically deleted after the sharing session ends or after files are downloaded. OnionShare does not have access to file contents, file names, or user information. The tool provides complete privacy through its local and Tor-based architecture.
- Legal frameworks
- GDPR, CCPA (where applicable).
- Revenue sources
- Donations, Grants
Editorial signals Click to expand
- 91
- Trust score
- 92
- Trust breakdown (0–10)
- Encryption: 95, Audits: 85, Open source: 95, Telemetry: 100, Jurisdiction: 100, Transparency: 90, Trackers: 100
- Editorial notes
- Usability: 75, Performance: 70, Family friendly: 70
User experience Click to expand
- Signup requirements
- none
- Onboarding difficulty (1-5)
- 2
- Accessibility features
- Web-based interface with keyboard navigation and screen reader support
Backup & portability Click to expand
- No
- Migration tools
- May offer import or export tools; see official docs.
- Account recovery options depend on the provider.
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