Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ZeroBin VS PrivateBin

Compare ZeroBin VS PrivateBin and see what are their differences

ZeroBin logo ZeroBin

ZeroBin is a minimalist, opensource online pastebin where the server has zero knowledge of pasted...

PrivateBin logo PrivateBin

PrivateBin is a minimalist, open source online pastebin where the server has zero knowledge of...
  • ZeroBin Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-02
  • PrivateBin Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-25

ZeroBin features and specs

  • Client-Side Encryption
    ZeroBin offers client-side encryption, meaning that the data is encrypted in the user's browser before it's sent to the server. This ensures that the server never has access to the unencrypted content, enhancing privacy and security.
  • Self-Destruction of Pastes
    Pastes in ZeroBin can be set to self-destruct after a certain number of views or after a specific period, reducing the risk of sensitive information persisting longer than necessary.
  • No Server-side Storage
    Since pastes are encrypted on the client-side, even if the server is compromised, the attacker cannot read the data. This reduces the risk associated with server breaches.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, ZeroBin's code can be reviewed and audited by anyone, allowing for greater transparency and the possibility of community-driven improvements.

Possible disadvantages of ZeroBin

  • Limited Functionality
    ZeroBin's primary function is for secure text sharing. It may lack features found in more comprehensive collaboration tools, such as user management and editing capabilities.
  • Rely on User's Browser for Security
    The encryption is handled in the user's browser, meaning it relies on the security of the client's device. An already compromised device may store the plain text before encryption.
  • No Native Access Control
    ZeroBin does not provide native mechanisms for access control, such as user authentication, which may be needed in environments requiring user-specific access restrictions.
  • Potential User Error
    The ease of use may lead to accidental sharing of decryption keys or URLs, compromising the pasted data's confidentiality if not carefully handled by users.

PrivateBin features and specs

  • End-to-End Encryption
    PrivateBin offers end-to-end encryption ensuring that the data is encrypted on the client-side and can only be decrypted by the recipient, enhancing security and privacy.
  • No Data Retention
    Servers running PrivateBin do not retain any data, as all messages are deleted after the predefined expiration time or when manually deleted by the user.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source application, PrivateBin allows anyone to inspect, modify, and improve the code, fostering transparency and trust in its security measures.
  • Self-Hosting
    Users have the option to self-host PrivateBin on their own servers, giving them complete control over their data and environment.
  • No Account Required
    PrivateBin doesn’t require users to create an account or provide personal information, making it a convenient, hassle-free option for quick and anonymous sharing.

Possible disadvantages of PrivateBin

  • Limited Collaboration
    Unlike some other tools, PrivateBin does not offer collaborative editing or live updates, which might limit its usability for team projects or dynamic document management.
  • Self-Hosting Complexity
    While self-hosting provides control, it also requires a certain level of technical expertise to set up, maintain, and secure the PrivateBin instance.
  • Dependency on Browser
    Since PrivateBin is primarily accessed through a web browser, its functionality is dependent on browser performance, compatibility, and security.
  • Limited Features
    PrivateBin focuses on simplicity and security, which means it lacks some advanced features found in other sharing or note-taking applications, such as rich text formatting or file attachments.
  • Expiration Constraints
    The expiration feature, while enhancing security, could be a downside for users needing persistent or long-term storage solutions.

Analysis of PrivateBin

Overall verdict

  • PrivateBin is generally considered a good tool for securely sharing information. Its focus on privacy and data protection, thanks to end-to-end encryption and its open-source nature, makes it trustworthy for users concerned about data security. Additionally, its user-friendly interface makes it accessible even for those unfamiliar with privacy-focused technologies.

Why this product is good

  • PrivateBin is a popular choice for those looking to share information securely and privately. It is an open-source, web-based application that allows users to paste texts or files, which are encrypted client-side before being stored on the server. This means that server operators cannot view the content of the pastes. Additionally, it offers various features like setting expiration times for pastes, enabling password protection, and generating burn-after-read links, enhancing its privacy and security aspects.

Recommended for

    PrivateBin is recommended for individuals and organizations who need to share sensitive data or information privately. This includes journalists, activists, developers, or anyone working in environments where data confidentiality is critical. It's also useful for anyone who values privacy and wants to ensure that shared information does not get accessed by unauthorized parties.

ZeroBin videos

ZeroBin installation on CentOS 7 Minimal

PrivateBin videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ZeroBin and PrivateBin)
Design Playground
38 38%
62% 62
JavaScript
37 37%
63% 63
Links
39 39%
61% 61
Development
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, PrivateBin seems to be a lot more popular than ZeroBin. While we know about 33 links to PrivateBin, we've tracked only 1 mention of ZeroBin. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

ZeroBin mentions (1)

PrivateBin mentions (33)

  • We build Dropbud, place to upload files without uploading
    Is this basically https://privatebin.info/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • What is the best way to learn Linux as a 10 years windows admin?
    If your like me. Find an actual use case for it and go from there. Easier to line when there is an end goal/project at the end of completion. Check out privatebin, sets up a secureway to share information. Https://privatebin.info/ Should hopefully be able to get your toes wet. Source: over 1 year ago
  • The Redditor's guide to how Kbin works (your what/how-to guide). Posting it here from r/KbinMigration as it was banned.
    You're welcome! I'd recommend PrivateBin if you're looking for a pastebin service to use. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Imgur won't work when I'm using my VPN
    One of the things that always bugged me about image hosting services is that they're almost never open source. This very unlike Pastebin services where you have Microbin and PrivateBin. A lot of popular pastebin services either use PrivateBin or Rentry under the hood. Source: about 2 years ago
  • 🔒 Is Unsee.cc safe? 👁️
    I need to send a temporarily visible image that deletes itself after viewing, and I can't use a mobile app like Signal or Telegram. I thought about using PrivateBin, but although they encrypt the files (in theory end-to-end), they keep them on their servers. So I found Unsee.cc, and their privacy policy looks great, but I don't know the site, its possible reputation, and it doesn't seem to be open source. Your... Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing ZeroBin and PrivateBin, you can also consider the following products

Pastebin.com - Pastebin.com is a website where you can store text for a certain period of time.

Pastelink.net - Anonymously publish text with hyperlinks enabled.

JustPaste.it - Want to share text with your friends? Paste it below and give them a link.

Pastery - The sweetest pastebin in the world.

hastebin - Pad editor for source code.

Logpasta - Logpasta is a simple to use CLI-based application that allows you to paste your posts.