Overview

Files are encrypted on the sender’s device with OpenPGP and AES-256. A split-key design prevents SendSafely from decrypting their contents. Recipients can open files in a modern browser without an account after verifying with a one-time passcode sent by email or SMS—a useful balance between external access and identity checks.

Senders can set custom expiration dates, revoke access, limit views or downloads, and use view-only mode and watermarking. Password protection, recipient verification, audit logs, and admin controls add oversight for teams handling sensitive exchanges. Those controls are more than routine transfers need, but matter when access must be bounded and traceable.

Key features

Integrations and developer tools

Native integrations include Outlook, Gmail, Slack, Salesforce, Zendesk, Freshdesk, and Intercom, letting teams work through tools they may already use. A REST API and client libraries for Python, Java, .NET, and Node.js support custom workflows, but API access requires Business or higher. That restriction makes the lower-priced plans a poor fit for teams that need to automate transfers.

AI workflows and compliance

HALO collects files in AI chatbot workflows with client-side encryption, but it is available on Enterprise. SendSafely lists SOC 2 Type 2, PCI DSS, GDPR, and CCPA support; HIPAA business associate agreements are available on Enterprise plans. AWS hosting is standard, with optional regional hosting in the United States, European Union, or Australia on Business and Enterprise plans.

Team pricing includes online support. Enterprise customers can add premium 24x7 support with named contacts and guaranteed SLAs, a useful option for organizations that need defined support commitments.

Pricing

SendSafely uses a freemium model, with a 14-day trial. Trial uploads are capped at 2 GB. The Personal plan has no published price and allows 50 MB per month, a small allowance suited to occasional, light transfers rather than ongoing team use.

Basic: 10.00 USD per month for 250 MB per month, expiration controls, a personal upload URL, and the Outlook plug-in. The low entry price comes with a strict quota.
Pro: 20.00 USD per month for 100 GB per month, files up to 10 GB, expiration controls, a personal upload URL, and the Outlook plug-in. Its much larger allowance suits individual users with regular transfers.
Team: 120.00 USD per month, billed annually, for 5 users, 10 GB of bandwidth per month, and 200 packages per month; the plan range is 5–25 users. This is aimed at teams, but its bandwidth and package caps call for checking expected usage.
Business: 232.00 USD per month, billed annually, for 8 users, 30 GB of bandwidth per month, and 500 packages per month; the plan range is 8–50 users. It is the entry point for API access and regional hosting, but its monthly transfer caps still matter.
Enterprise: Custom pricing, with 100 GB of bandwidth and 1,000 packages per month. It is the plan for HALO and HIPAA BAAs, and can include premium 24x7 support.

Consumption options use custom, volume-based pricing: bandwidth plans charge per GB transferred and do not license seats; package plans charge per package. Both include a usage dashboard. These models may fit usage-driven deployments better than fixed seats, but pricing depends on volume.

Platforms

SendSafely supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web, browser extensions, and API access. That range covers desktop, mobile, browser-based, and developer workflows.

Who it's for

Choose SendSafely when sensitive transfers need encryption at the sender’s device, recipient verification, and controls such as revocation or download limits—especially if integrations with existing business tools matter. It is less suitable for occasional users who need more than 50 MB monthly on Personal, or teams that require API access below Business. Organizations needing HALO or HIPAA agreements should expect Enterprise pricing.

Pros and cons

Pro: Client-side encryption and split keys keep SendSafely from decrypting file contents.
Pro: Passcode verification and configurable access controls give senders meaningful oversight after sharing.
Pro: Broad native integrations and language-specific client libraries support established team workflows.
Con: Personal’s 50 MB monthly allowance is restrictive for regular transfers.
Con: API access requires Business or higher, while HALO and HIPAA BAAs require Enterprise plans.
Con: Team and Business impose monthly bandwidth and package caps, so usage needs to fit within both.

Alternatives

For broader file-transfer choices, browse File transfer services or Secure File Transfer Software.

pCloud is a freemium alternative with a free plan offering 10 GB of storage; consider it when storage is the priority.
Wing FTP Server has a free edition with one domain, 10 user accounts per domain, 10 connections per domain, and FTP/HTTP transfer; consider it for those server-oriented limits.
AWS Transfer Family offers protocol-enabled SFTP, FTPS, or FTP endpoints, with a US East (N. Virginia) example rate of 0.30 USD per month at $0.30 hourly; consider it when those managed transfer protocols are the priority.
SFTPGo offers a Tiny plan at 50.00 EUR per month with 25 GiB storage and 250 GiB monthly transfer; consider it when those stated capacity terms suit your needs.
Progress MOVEit Transfer is a paid alternative with a free trial.
Filestack has a free plan with 1 GB bandwidth, 500 uploads, 1,000 transformations, 1 GB storage, and one workflow; consider it when those free-tier capabilities fit your use.
Files.com is a paid alternative with a Starter plan at 199.00 USD per month and 1 TB monthly storage; consider it when that storage allowance fits better.
CrushFTP is a paid alternative with a Small Business perpetual license and $250 yearly maintenance renewal after the first year.

Verdict

SendSafely is a strong choice for teams exchanging sensitive files that need verified recipients, post-send access controls, and integrations with business tools. Its central advantage is keeping encryption on the sender’s device while still allowing controlled browser access. Look elsewhere if you need a generous low-cost personal allowance or API access without moving to Business.

	Heave	SendSafely
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial		Yes
Paid from	$10/mo
Platforms	api	Android, api, extension, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Paid from	$10/mo	$10/mo
Max file size	250 GB
Link expiry	14 days
Download tracking	Yes
API access	Yes	Yes
Custom branding	Yes
Link expiration		custom
Password protection		Yes
Recipient verification		Yes
Audit logs		Yes
Admin controls		Yes

Heave vs SendSafely

Heave

SendSafely