FileShot vs Firefox Send: The Successor to Mozilla's Encrypted File Sharing
— Written by Brendan, Founder of FileShot.io
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Firefox Send (discontinued) | FileShot |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued (March 2020) | Active, maintained |
| Free File Size Limit | 1 GB (2.5 GB with account) | 10 GB |
| Expiration | Max 1 day (7 days with account) | 1 day to unlimited |
| End-to-End Encryption | Yes (AES-128-GCM) | Yes (AES-256-GCM) |
| Zero-Knowledge | Yes | Yes |
| Download Limits | Yes (configurable) | Available on paid plans |
| Password Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Tools | None (file transfer only) | PDF editor, converter, compressor, metadata scrubber, virus scanner, and more |
| Desktop App | No | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Browser Extension | No | Chrome Extension |
| P2P Transfer | No | Yes (WebRTC) |
| Encrypted Chat | No | Yes |
What Happened to Firefox Send?
Firefox Send launched in 2019 as Mozilla's take on encrypted file sharing. It was one of the first mainstream services to offer true end-to-end encryption for file transfers with a clean, simple web interface. Files were encrypted in the browser using AES-128-GCM, and the key was stored in the URL fragment — a design that FileShot shares and improves upon.
In September 2020, Mozilla permanently shut down Firefox Send. The official reason was abuse: the service was being used to distribute malware, and Mozilla lacked the resources to build adequate abuse-prevention systems. Firefox Send joined a long list of Mozilla experiments (Test Pilot, Firefox Lockbox, Firefox Notes) that were discontinued as Mozilla refocused its business.
FileShot: What Firefox Send Should Have Become
FileShot carries forward Firefox Send's core principle — browser-based, zero-knowledge encrypted file sharing — while addressing every limitation that held Send back.
Where Firefox Send used AES-128-GCM, FileShot uses AES-256-GCM for stronger encryption. Where Send capped files at 1 GB (2.5 GB with a Firefox account), FileShot has a 10 GB per-file limit on the free tier (expandable to 300 GB on Creator). Where Send limited expiry to 1 day without an account (7 days with one), FileShot offers configurable expiration from 1 day to unlimited.
Everything Send Had, Plus More
Firefox Send was a single-purpose tool: encrypt a file, share a link, done. That simplicity was its appeal, but it also meant there was nothing else. FileShot builds on that foundation with a complete privacy-first platform:
- P2P Direct Transfers — Send files directly between browsers via WebRTC, with no server storage at all
- Encrypted Chat — End-to-end encrypted messaging alongside file sharing
- PDF Editor — Edit, merge, and annotate PDFs entirely in your browser
- File Converter — Convert between formats locally
- Image Compressor — Reduce image file sizes without cloud processing
- Metadata Scrubber — Strip EXIF data and identifying metadata from files
- Archive Builder — Create ZIP archives in your browser
- Virus Scanner — Scan uploaded files for known threats
- Desktop App — Native application for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Chrome Extension — Upload files directly from your browser toolbar
- Mobile Support — Android app and responsive web interface
Abuse Prevention Without Shutdown
The reason Firefox Send died was abuse. Mozilla could not effectively prevent the service from being used to distribute malware. FileShot addresses this with built-in virus scanning, content hash checking, and rate limiting — without compromising zero-knowledge encryption. The server does not need to read your files to prevent abuse; it can verify that uploaded content passes automated safety checks on the encrypted metadata and download patterns.
Active Development, Not Abandonment
Firefox Send's biggest risk was always that it was a side project at a company with financial pressures. When cuts came, Send was shut down overnight. FileShot is an independent, dedicated platform. File sharing is not a side project — it is the entire product. There is no corporate parent that might decide encrypted file sharing is not worth the server costs.
Who Should Choose FileShot?
If you were a Firefox Send user looking for a replacement, FileShot is the closest spiritual successor. It shares the same zero-knowledge architecture, the same browser-based encryption approach, and the same philosophy that file sharing should be private by default. But FileShot goes further: generous file limits (10 GB free, 300 GB on Creator), longer expiry, a full tool suite, native apps, and a commitment to staying online.
For the Firefox Send experience with more features and active development, try FileShot free or explore our plans.