Firefox Send was a secure and privacy-focused file sharing service developed by Mozilla, the makers of the Firefox browser. It offered end-to-end encrypted file sharing via a simple, user-friendly interface. Despite being discontinued in 2020, Firefox Send set a gold standard for secure, temporary file sharing on the web and continues to inspire a wave of privacy-conscious file transfer tools.
🔐 What Was Firefox Send?
Launched in March 2019, Firefox Send allowed users to upload and send files with end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the intended recipient could access the content. No account was required, and users could choose to set download limits or expiry times.
It was a free, web-based tool accessible to anyone using a modern browser—not limited to Firefox users.
🌟 Key Features (When It Was Active)
🔒 End-to-End Encryption
- Files were encrypted in the browser before being uploaded.
- Decryption keys were embedded in the share link—no one (not even Mozilla) had access to your data.
🕐 Expiring Links
- Users could set limits for downloads (1 to 100) and/or time (5 minutes to 7 days) after which the file would expire automatically.
👤 Anonymous Sharing
- No login was required to share files up to 1 GB.
- Logged-in Firefox account users could share files up to 2.5 GB.
⚙️ Customization
- Senders could set:
- Download limits
- Link expiration time
- Optional password protection
💔 Why Was Firefox Send Discontinued?
Mozilla suspended and later discontinued Firefox Send in 2020 due to misuse by bad actors who used the service for distributing malware. Despite its usefulness, Mozilla decided not to relaunch the service, citing the need to focus on core products and security priorities.
🔁 Alternatives Inspired by Firefox Send
Although Firefox Send is no longer available, several alternatives have emerged that mirror its privacy-centric approach:
1. Send (by Snapdrop devs)
- Website: send.vis.ee
- Fully open-source, E2E encrypted, and file size limits up to 2 GB.
2. Tresorit Send
- Focuses on security and GDPR compliance.
- Allows sending up to 5 GB with end-to-end encryption.
3. Wormhole
- Offers E2E encryption with up to 10 GB transfers.
- Files self-destruct after 24 hours or once the link is used.
4. OnionShare
- Uses the Tor network to send files completely anonymously.
- No central server; peer-to-peer with full encryption.
✅ Pros (When Active)
- Industry-leading encryption in a simple interface.
- No login required.
- Lightweight, fast, and open-source.
- Link expiration enhanced privacy and minimized risk.
❌ Cons
- Limited to 1–2.5 GB depending on login status.
- Service had no support for file preview or folder structures.
- Discontinued—no longer maintained or usable.
📚 Legacy and Impact
Firefox Send was one of the first widely available tools to make zero-knowledge file sharing accessible to everyday users. It raised the bar for privacy in the file-sharing space, encouraging other developers to adopt similar E2E models and minimal data retention.
Even though it no longer operates, Firefox Send’s codebase remains open-source, and its spirit lives on in tools like Wormhole, Snapdrop's Send, and OnionShare.
🔚 Conclusion
While Firefox Send is no longer available, its contribution to the world of encrypted file sharing is undeniable. It showed the world that secure, ephemeral file sharing could be fast, user-friendly, and free. If you’re looking for modern replacements with similar security and simplicity, consider tools like Wormhole, Send.vis.ee, or Tresorit Send—each offering a safe, privacy-first experience.