PrivateBin

Self-Hosted

Encrypted, anonymous pastebin for secure data sharing

Overview

PrivateBin is an open-source, client-side encrypted pastebin that ensures zero server-side knowledge of your content. All encryption/decryption happens in your browser—servers store only encrypted blobs. Deploy easily via Docker or on any web server supporting PHP and SQLite/MySQL. Features include expiration times, password protection, syntax highlighting, and burn-after-reading pastes. Ideal for sharing sensitive info without relying on third-party services that access unencrypted data.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  private_bin:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: private-bin
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Client-side end-to-end encryption
Zero server-side data retention of plaintext
Self-hostable with Docker or standard web servers
Expiration and burn-after-reading options

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is PrivateBin hard to install?

No—PrivateBin is straightforward to install. You can use Docker for a quick setup with a single command, or host it on any web server with PHP 7.2+ and SQLite/MySQL support. Official docs offer clear instructions for both options.

? Is it a good alternative to Pastebin.com?

Yes—if privacy is your top priority. Unlike Pastebin.com, PrivateBin encrypts your data client-side, so servers never see plaintext. It lacks some premium Pastebin features but excels at secure, anonymous sharing.

? Is PrivateBin completely free?

Yes—PrivateBin is open-source under the MIT license. There are no paid tiers or subscriptions. You can use public instances for free or self-host it without any cost.

Top Alternatives

Pastebin.com (proprietary) Search Google

GitHub Gist (Microsoft-owned) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Pastebins

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-first design (no server access to unencrypted data)
⊕ No account or subscription required for usage
⊕ Lightweight and easy to deploy via Docker

Cons

⊖ Requires a server for self-hosting
⊖ Basic feature set compared to premium SaaS pastebins