FileShot vs Bitwarden Send: Dedicated File Sharing
— Written by Brendan, Founder of FileShot.io
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Bitwarden Send | FileShot |
|---|---|---|
| What It Is | Feature within Bitwarden password manager | Dedicated encrypted file sharing platform |
| File Size Limit (Free) | Text only (no file sends on free) | 10 GB |
| File Size Limit (Paid) | 500 MB (Premium), 1 GB (Families/Teams) | Unlimited at all tiers |
| Account Required | Yes (Bitwarden account) | No |
| Encryption | E2E AES-256 (Bitwarden vault encryption) | AES-256-GCM client-side (zero-knowledge) |
| Password Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Expiration Control | Yes (custom date/time) | Yes (1 day to unlimited) |
| P2P Transfer | No | Yes (WebRTC) |
| QR Code Sharing | No | Yes |
| Built-in Tools | None | PDF editor, converter, compressor, metadata scrubber, virus scanner, and more |
| Encrypted Chat | No | Yes |
| Price | $10/yr Premium (required for file sends) | Free (Lite $2/mo, Pro $5/mo, Creator $12/mo) |
What is Bitwarden Send?
Bitwarden Send is a feature built into the Bitwarden password manager that allows users to share encrypted text or files via a generated link. It uses Bitwarden's existing end-to-end encryption infrastructure — data is encrypted client-side before being transmitted to Bitwarden's servers. Send supports password protection, expiration dates, download limits, and the ability to disable a send at any time. It is a convenient, secure way to share sensitive information if you are already a Bitwarden user.
However, Bitwarden Send is a secondary feature within a password manager, not a dedicated file sharing platform. Its file sharing capabilities reflect that: free users can only send text (no files), Premium users ($10/year) are limited to 500 MB per file, and even Families/Teams plans cap at 1 GB. There is no P2P transfer, no QR code sharing, no built-in file processing tools, and no way to use it without a Bitwarden account.
FileShot: Purpose-Built for File Sharing
FileShot is built from the ground up as a file sharing platform with zero-knowledge encryption at its core. Every file is encrypted with AES-256-GCM in your browser before upload. The decryption key exists only in the URL fragment — the server never sees it. No account is required. Free tier supports files up to 10 GB. Anyone with the link can decrypt and download the file in their browser.
Beyond basic sharing, FileShot includes password-protected links, flexible expiration (1 day to unlimited), QR code generation for easy mobile sharing, peer-to-peer direct transfers via WebRTC (bypassing the server entirely for real-time transfers), end-to-end encrypted chat, and a suite of built-in tools including a PDF editor, file converter, image compressor, metadata scrubber, virus scanner, and archive builder. Desktop apps (Windows, macOS, Linux) and a Chrome extension are available for power users.
The Account Requirement
Bitwarden Send requires a Bitwarden account, and file sends require a paid Premium subscription ($10/year). This makes sense within Bitwarden's ecosystem — Send is a feature for existing password manager users, not a standalone service. But it means a non-Bitwarden user cannot use Send without first creating an account and potentially paying for Premium.
FileShot requires no account for basic file sharing. You can upload, encrypt, and share files immediately with no registration. Accounts are available for users who want persistent file management, download tracking, and higher-tier features, but the core sharing functionality is free and anonymous.
File Size Limits
This is the most significant practical difference. Bitwarden Send limits file sizes to 500 MB on Premium and 1 GB on Families/Teams plans. For sharing a quick document, API key, or small file, this is adequate. For sharing video files, design assets, software packages, database exports, or anything larger than 1 GB, Bitwarden Send simply cannot be used.
FileShot has tiered file size limits: 10 GB free, 50 GB on Lite, 100 GB on Pro, and 300 GB on Creator. You can share files of any type — from a 10 KB text snippet to a large video project.
When to Use Bitwarden Send
Bitwarden Send is a great choice if you are already a Bitwarden Premium user and need to quickly share a small file or sensitive text snippet. It is integrated directly into the Bitwarden apps and browser extensions you already use, so there is no context-switching. For sharing passwords, API keys, config files, or small documents under 500 MB, Send is convenient and well-encrypted.
When to Use FileShot
FileShot is the right tool when file sharing is your primary need rather than an occasional side feature of your password manager. Large file support (up to 10 GB free, 300 GB on Creator), no account required, peer-to-peer transfers, QR codes, a complete file processing tool suite, and a dedicated sharing UI make FileShot the purpose-built solution for encrypted file sharing at any scale.
For unlimited encrypted file sharing with no account needed, try FileShot free or explore our plans.