FileShot vs OneDrive: Privacy-First File Sharing
— Written by Brendan, Founder of FileShot.io
Quick Comparison
| Feature | OneDrive | FileShot |
|---|---|---|
| Free Storage | 5 GB | 50 GB (10 GB per file) |
| Free File Size Limit | 250 GB | 10 GB |
| Zero-Knowledge Encryption | No | Yes (all users) |
| Personal Vault | Yes (3 files on free, more on paid) | All files are zero-knowledge encrypted |
| Password Protection (Free) | No | Yes |
| Auto-Expiration | Expiring links (paid only) | 1 day to unlimited (all users) |
| Built-in Privacy Tools | No | PDF editor, converter, compressor, metadata scrubber, virus scanner |
| P2P Transfer | No | Yes (WebRTC) |
| Encrypted Chat | No | Yes |
| Cheapest Paid Plan | $1.99/mo (100 GB) | $2/mo (Lite) |
Why FileShot Over OneDrive?
OneDrive is deeply integrated into Windows and Microsoft 365, making it the default cloud storage for hundreds of millions of users. It's solid for file sync, Office collaboration, and keeping your documents accessible across devices. But OneDrive is a general-purpose cloud storage platform that treats privacy as an optional add-on rather than a foundation.
FileShot is built from the ground up on zero-knowledge encryption. Every file is encrypted in your browser with AES-256-GCM before upload. The decryption key exists only in the URL fragment — the server never sees it. This means even FileShot staff, law enforcement, or an attacker who compromises the server cannot decrypt your files.
OneDrive's Personal Vault vs. FileShot's Zero-Knowledge
OneDrive offers a "Personal Vault" feature that provides an extra layer of authentication for sensitive files. But Personal Vault is limited to 3 files on the free tier, and critically, Microsoft still holds the encryption keys. The extra authentication protects against unauthorized account access but doesn't prevent Microsoft from accessing your file contents if compelled or compromised.
FileShot's zero-knowledge encryption applies to every file, not just a limited vault. There's no file count limit, and the encryption is client-side — the key never touches the server. This is a fundamentally different security model: OneDrive protects files from other people accessing your account; FileShot protects files from everyone, including the service provider.
Storage and Pricing
OneDrive's free tier gives 5 GB. Their standalone 100 GB plan is $1.99/month, and Microsoft 365 Personal (1 TB) is $6.99/month. FileShot offers 50 GB of free storage (10 GB per file) with unlimited storage on paid plans. Lite is $2/month (ad-free, unlimited expiry), Pro is $5/month (100 GB per file, inbox, verified sender), and Creator is $12/month (no limits, API, white-label).
Different Tools, Different Purposes
OneDrive excels at file sync and Microsoft 365 integration. If you live in the Microsoft ecosystem and need seamless Office collaboration, OneDrive is purpose-built for that workflow. FileShot excels at private, temporary file sharing with guaranteed deletion, zero-knowledge encryption, built-in tools, P2P transfers, encrypted chat, and native apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
For secure, private file sharing with zero-knowledge encryption, try FileShot free or explore our plans.