OnionShare

Spec sheet

Purpose

OnionShare is an open-source tool for securely and anonymously sharing files, hosting websites, and chatting over the Tor network.Read 10 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Security

The security documentation says OnionShare file sharing does not upload files to a third-party server and Tor onion service connections are end-to-end encrypted.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.onionshare.org

License

OnionShare is open source and released under the GPLv3.Read 10 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Maker

Lockdown Systems describes itself as a worker-owned collective building freedom and privacy technologies.Read 10 Oct 2026 · lockdown.systems

Access control

OnionShare services are protected by a private key by default, according to the security documentation.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.onionshare.org

Anonymous chat

OnionShare can create private chat rooms that do not log chat history.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.onionshare.org

Bundled distributions

The official site says OnionShare comes preinstalled in QubesOS, Tails, and ParrotOS.Read 9 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Chat

OnionShare includes a chat feature.Read 10 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Desktop app

YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · onionshare.org

Desktop platforms

OnionShare is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.Read 10 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Download tracking

YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · onionshare.org

File sharing

The site describes OnionShare as a tool for privately sharing files.Read 10 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Included with operating systems

The site says OnionShare comes preinstalled in QubesOS, Tails, and ParrotOS.Read 10 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Local hosting

OnionShare starts web servers locally on the user's computer and makes them accessible as Tor onion services.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.onionshare.org

Mobile partners

OnionShare's mobile applications are developed with Guardian Project and The Calyx Institute.Read 10 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Mobile platforms

The site links to OnionShare apps for Android, de-Googled Android through F-Droid, and iOS.Read 10 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Privacy policy

OnionShare says its desktop and mobile apps collect no analytics or behavioral tracking, and its website logs are retained for two weeks without IP addresses.Read 9 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Private dropbox

The site says OnionShare can create a private dropdown.Read 10 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Project and license

OnionShare is a project of the Lockdown Systems collective and is released under GPLv3.Read 9 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Project organization

OnionShare is a project of the Lockdown Systems collective.Read 10 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Receive files

Receive mode lets people anonymously upload files directly to the user's computer.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.onionshare.org

Security caveat

The site notes that OnionShare, like all software, may contain bugs or vulnerabilities.Read 10 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Sharing behavior

File sharing stops automatically after a recipient finishes downloading unless the user disables that setting.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.onionshare.org

Supported systems

The official site lists desktop downloads for Windows, macOS, and Linux and mobile apps for Android and iOS.Read 9 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Upload safety

The documentation warns that uploaded files may be malicious and says OnionShare does not add safety mechanisms to protect the user's system from them.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.onionshare.org

Webhook notifications

Receive mode can send an HTTP POST to a configured webhook URL when files or messages are submitted.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.onionshare.org

Website hosting

OnionShare can host an onion site.Read 10 Oct 2026 · onionshare.org

Where Specifiction places it

• Secure File Transfer Software#18 of 287.6
• File transfer services#93 of 1057.3