FileShot vs Temp.sh: Browser-Based vs CLI File Sharing
— Written by Brendan, Founder of FileShot.io
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Temp.sh | FileShot |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Command-line only | Browser + desktop app + CLI-friendly |
| Free Plan | Yes | Yes |
| File Expiration | First download or 3 days (fixed) | 1 day to unlimited |
| Zero-Knowledge Encryption | No (no encryption by default) | Yes (always on) |
| Encryption | Optional GPG (manual) | AES-256-GCM automatic |
| Password Protection | No | Yes |
| P2P Transfer | No (cloud-based) | No (cloud-based) |
| Built-in Tools | None | PDF editor, converter, compressor, metadata scrubber, virus scanner, and more |
What is Temp.sh?
Temp.sh is an open-source command-line file sharing service built for developers. Upload via curl, get a URL, and the file is automatically deleted after the first download or after 3 days, whichever comes first. There's no graphical interface, no user accounts, no encryption by default. Files are stored in plaintext on the server unless you manually encrypt them with GPG before upload. It's a developer-focused tool designed for quick, temporary transfers in terminal-based workflows.
FileShot: Browser-Based with Zero-Knowledge Encryption
FileShot is a browser-based zero-knowledge file sharing platform. Files are automatically encrypted with AES-256-GCM in your browser before upload. The decryption key lives only in the URL fragment and never touches the server. There's a desktop app for drag-and-drop convenience. Expiry is configurable from 1 day to unlimited. Password protection adds an additional layer of security. FileShot works for non-technical users who need secure file sharing without command-line expertise.
Interface: CLI vs Browser
Temp.sh is command-line only. You upload with curl, wget, or similar tools. Recipients download using curl or by opening the URL in a browser. There's no UI, no progress indicators, no visual feedback beyond terminal text. If you live in the terminal and want zero friction for temporary file transfers in dev environments, Temp.sh delivers that.
FileShot is browser-first. Drag and drop a file, set expiry and password options, get a shareable link. The desktop app provides system tray integration and native OS notifications. Recipients open the link in any browser and download with a single click. FileShot also supports API-driven uploads for developers, but the primary interface is designed for everyone, not just terminal users.
Security: No Encryption vs Automatic Zero-Knowledge
Temp.sh does not encrypt files by default. Files are stored in plaintext on the server. If you want encryption, you must manually encrypt the file with GPG before uploading and share the decryption key out-of-band. This puts the security burden on the user and requires technical knowledge. The server operator can access all unencrypted files.
FileShot encrypts every file with AES-256-GCM before upload. The encryption happens in your browser using client-side JavaScript. The decryption key is embedded in the URL fragment (the part after #) and is never sent to the server. Even FileShot's infrastructure cannot decrypt your files. This is zero-knowledge encryption: the service provider has zero knowledge of the file contents. No manual GPG setup required. Security is automatic and guaranteed by design.
File Expiration: Fixed vs Flexible
Temp.sh has a fixed expiration model: files are deleted after the first download or after 3 days, whichever comes first. You cannot configure this. If the recipient doesn't download within 3 days, the file is gone. If they download once and need it again, they cannot re-download unless you re-upload.
FileShot lets you choose the expiration period from 1 day to 90 days. Files persist for the full duration regardless of how many times they're downloaded. Recipients can download multiple times within the expiration window. Free users get up to 14 days; Lite, Pro, and Creator users can set up to 90 days. This flexibility makes FileShot suitable for longer-term sharing scenarios where you need predictable access.
Use Cases
Use Temp.sh for quick CLI-based temporary transfers in development environments: build artifacts, log files, debugging output, temporary data exchange between servers. It's ideal when both sender and recipient are comfortable with command-line tools and ephemeral sharing is acceptable.
Use FileShot for secure file sharing with recipients who don't use the command line, confidential documents that require encryption, files that need password protection, or any scenario where zero-knowledge security is a requirement. FileShot works for business documents, design files, client deliverables, sensitive datasets, and general-purpose file sharing where you want the recipient to have a simple download experience.
Who Should Choose FileShot?
If you need a graphical interface, automatic encryption, configurable expiration, password protection, or a service that works for non-technical recipients, FileShot is the right choice. If you prefer browser-based uploads or want a desktop app with system tray integration, FileShot delivers that. If zero-knowledge encryption is a hard requirement and you don't want to manually manage GPG keys, FileShot provides that by default.
For secure, browser-based file sharing with zero-knowledge encryption, try FileShot free or explore our plans.