FileShot vs Wormhole: Encrypted File Transfer
— Written by Brendan, Founder of FileShot.io
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Wormhole | FileShot |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | E2E (PAKE key exchange) | AES-256-GCM client-side (zero-knowledge) |
| Free File Size Limit | 10 GB | 10 GB |
| Link Persistence | Expires after first download (24 hrs max) | 1 day to unlimited (your choice, multiple downloads) |
| Password Protection | No | Yes (free) |
| Account Required | No | No |
| Works in Browser | Wormhole.app: Yes / Magic Wormhole: CLI only | Yes |
| Built-in Tools | None | PDF editor, converter, compressor, metadata scrubber, virus scanner, and more |
| Desktop App | CLI tool (Magic Wormhole) | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Browser Extension | No | Chrome Extension |
| P2P Transfer | Yes (core design) | Yes (WebRTC) |
| Encrypted Chat | No | Yes |
| Price | Free (10 GB limit) | Free unlimited (Lite $2/mo, Pro $5/mo, Creator $12/mo) |
What is Wormhole?
The name "Wormhole" refers to two related but distinct projects. Magic Wormhole is an open-source command-line tool that transfers files between two computers using the SPAKE2 password-authenticated key exchange (PAKE) protocol. One user runs a send command and gets a short code; the other enters that code to receive the file. The transfer is end-to-end encrypted and typically peer-to-peer. Wormhole.app is a web-based service inspired by the same concept: upload a file in your browser, get a link, and the recipient downloads it through their browser with E2E encryption. Wormhole.app caps free transfers at 10 GB and files expire after the first download or within 24 hours.
Ephemeral vs Persistent Sharing
The most significant architectural difference between Wormhole and FileShot is link persistence. Wormhole is designed for ephemeral transfers: you send a file, the recipient downloads it once, and the link disappears. This is by design — it minimizes the window during which encrypted data exists on any server. Magic Wormhole takes this further by being fully real-time: both sender and receiver must be online simultaneously.
FileShot is designed for persistent sharing. When you upload a file, it is encrypted and stored on the server for 1 to 90 days (your choice). The link remains active for multiple downloads throughout that period. This is essential for workflows where you share a file with a team, post a link in a document, or need the recipient to download at their convenience days later. You can also set one-time download limits if you want Wormhole-style ephemeral behavior.
File Size and Limits
Wormhole.app limits free uploads to 10 GB. Magic Wormhole (the CLI tool) has no formal limit, but speeds depend on the relay infrastructure and both parties being online. FileShot has a 10 GB per-file limit on the free tier (expandable to 300 GB on Creator). You can upload files of any size — large video projects, database dumps, full application archives — with no artificial cap.
Features Beyond Transfer
Wormhole is a single-purpose tool: encrypted file transfer. It does that well, but it does only that. FileShot is a complete file sharing platform with password-protected links, QR code sharing, virus scanning (files are scanned server-side on the encrypted blob for known malware signatures), a suite of built-in tools (PDF editor, file converter, image compressor, metadata scrubber, archive builder), desktop apps for Windows/macOS/Linux, a Chrome browser extension, P2P direct transfers via WebRTC, and end-to-end encrypted chat.
Encryption Approach
Magic Wormhole uses the SPAKE2 PAKE protocol for key exchange, which is cryptographically strong and elegantly simple. Both parties derive a shared secret from a short human-readable code, then use that to encrypt the transfer. Wormhole.app uses browser-based E2E encryption with keys derived client-side.
FileShot uses AES-256-GCM encryption performed entirely in the browser. The encryption key is generated client-side and placed in the URL fragment (the part after the # symbol), which browsers never send to the server. The server stores only the encrypted ciphertext. This zero-knowledge architecture means FileShot cannot access your files even if compelled to do so.
When to Choose Wormhole
Wormhole (especially Magic Wormhole CLI) is a great fit for developers and technical users who want a quick, command-line way to send a file to someone who is online right now. Its PAKE-based approach requires zero infrastructure and zero accounts. If you need a one-shot ephemeral transfer between two terminals, it is hard to beat.
When to Choose FileShot
FileShot is the better choice for everything beyond single ephemeral transfers: sharing with people who might download later, sharing with non-technical recipients who need a browser link, sending files larger than 10 GB, needing password protection, wanting download tracking, or needing the integrated tool suite. FileShot's persistent links, large file support, and zero setup make it a complete replacement for both Wormhole-style transfers and traditional cloud sharing services.
For encrypted file sharing with persistent links and large file support (up to 300 GB per file), try FileShot free or explore our plans.