File Transfer
OnionShare
Share files, websites, or chat via a temporary Tor onion address.
OnionShare offers a privacy-conscious alternative in the file transfer space, with a stronger focus on data protection than many mainstream tools.
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 an open-source tool that allows users to securely and anonymously share files, host websites, and chat using the Tor network. The service creates a temporary, anonymous website accessible only through the Tor network, where users can upload files for others to download. OnionShare provides strong anonymity by routing all traffic through the Tor network, making it difficult to trace the source or destination of file transfers. The service supports file sharing, website hosting, and chat functionality, all with automatic deletion after a set period or after files are downloaded. OnionShare does not require account creation and works entirely peer-to-peer through Tor hidden services. The tool is particularly useful for journalists, activists, and anyone who needs to share sensitive files anonymously. OnionShare is open source (GPL-3.0) and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The service provides strong privacy protections but requires both parties to use Tor to access shared content.
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
- List applicable frameworks once confirmed (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, LGPD).
- 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
- Describe CLI, export/import, and migration flows after review.
- Explain key and account recovery models after research.
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