Comparison

DeadVault vs ShareFile

ShareFile is built for enterprise document management. DeadVault is built for secure, ephemeral file delivery. Different tools for different problems.

Choose ShareFile if you need:

Long-term document storage, e-signatures, enterprise workflow automation, and collaboration tools for large teams.

Choose DeadVault if you need:

Secure file handoffs that self-destruct, payment-gated delivery, and zero lingering liability, without requiring clients to create accounts.

Feature comparison

FeatureShareFileDeadVault
Encryption standardAES-256AES-256-GCM
Per-file encryption keys✕✓
Automatic file destruction✕✓
Cryptographic erasure✕✓
Payment gates✕✓
No client account required✕✓
Branded client portal✓✓
Audit trail✓✓
Built-in e-signatures✓✕
Long-term document storage✓✕
Starting price$10/user/mo$19/mo flat

Where they differ

Both are legitimate tools. The question is which design philosophy matches your workflow.

ShareFile stores files indefinitely. DeadVault doesn't.

ShareFile is a cloud storage platform, files live on Citrix servers until you manually delete them. DeadVault destroys encryption keys at the deadline, making file data mathematically unrecoverable. If your workflow is "deliver and done," indefinite storage is a liability, not a feature.

ShareFile requires client accounts. DeadVault doesn't.

ShareFile recipients need to create an account or sign in to access shared files. DeadVault sends a unique secure link: clients click, upload or download, done. No passwords, no app installs, no "please check your spam folder for the verification email."

ShareFile is built for teams. DeadVault is built for handoffs.

ShareFile has workflow automation, e-signatures, and collaboration features because it's designed for ongoing document management across large teams. If you're a solo CPA or 3-attorney firm, you're paying for features you'll never touch. DeadVault does one thing: secure, ephemeral file delivery.

ShareFile pricing scales per user. DeadVault is flat.

ShareFile starts at ~$10/user/month, but the features most firms need (custom branding, advanced security, compliance tools) are on higher tiers. A 3-person firm on the Advanced plan is looking at $50+/month. DeadVault's Solo plan is $19/month flat. One price, all security features included.

Where ShareFile is the better choice

ShareFile has been in this market for years and does some things well.

✓Long-term document storage and organization
✓Built-in e-signature workflows
✓Deep integrations with Microsoft 365 and other enterprise tools
✓Established brand trusted by large enterprises
✓Advanced workflow automation for multi-step approval processes

Common questions

DeadVault isn't a long-term storage replacement, it's an ephemeral delivery tool. If you use ShareFile for ongoing document storage, you'd keep that. Many firms use DeadVault specifically for the secure handoff part: delivering tax returns, collecting sensitive documents, and payment-gated delivery, then let everything auto-destruct.
No. DeadVault is focused on encrypted file delivery, not document signing. If you need e-signatures, pair DeadVault with a dedicated tool like DocuSign or Adobe Sign.
Different security models. ShareFile uses AES-256 encryption and stores files on their infrastructure indefinitely. DeadVault uses AES-256-GCM with per-file encryption keys and destroys those keys at deadline, after which files are mathematically unrecoverable. For ephemeral delivery, DeadVault's approach eliminates the risk of stored data being breached after the fact.
ShareFile's $10/user/month plan is per user. A 3-person firm pays $30/month minimum, and that's the basic tier. DeadVault's $19/month Solo plan includes all security features, payment gates, and branded portal for one flat price.
No. DeadVault clients receive a secure link and can upload or download immediately. No account creation, no app download, no browser extension. ShareFile requires recipients to create a free account to access shared files.

Ready to try the ephemeral approach?

Set up your first secure drop in under 2 minutes. No long-term contract.

View pricingSee all features