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PrivateBin

PrivateBin is a minimalist, open-source self-hosted pastebin for securely sharing text and code snippets.

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PrivateBin is a minimalist, open-source self-hosted pastebin for securely sharing text and code snippets. It encrypts and decrypts data in the browser using 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), so the server stores only encrypted payloads. It is suitable for users who want a privacy-focused, zero-knowledge pastebin on their own infrastructure.

Platform availability

Available on 5 of 6 install platforms

Also on Docker Hub and GitHub

Health score

87/100 Excellent

Maintained
100last commit 11 days ago
Popular
798,636 GitHub stars
Easy to install
755 install platforms, install notes, Docker image
Light to run
801 GB minimum RAM, runs on ARM
How is this calculated?

A 0-100 score computed nightly from four factors: maintained (40%: recent commits and steady activity), popular (25%: GitHub stars, log scale), easy to install (20%: platforms, install notes, setup guides, Docker image) and light to run (15%: minimum RAM, ARM support). Factors without data are left out and the rest are rescaled.

Availability: platform listings confirmed today, links checked 11 days ago

GitHub stars
8,636
Open issues
209
Last commit
2026-09-28
Latest release
2.0.6
Activity
declining

Checked 9 days ago - source: GitHub (PrivateBin/PrivateBin)

Resources & Compatibility

Minimum requirements: 1 GB RAM, 1 CPU core(s), 10 GB disk. ARM (e.g. Raspberry Pi) is supported.

Checked 10 days ago - source: Docker Hub image tags and published docs

First-install notes

  • Set folder permissions first Run the provided permissions script, changing pbpath and pbdata (the app folder and data folder) to your PrivateBin folders, because PHP needs the right access or the site can break and fail to save notes. source
  • Enable Apache on Red Hat If your install uses Apache on Red Hat, enable and start the httpd service so PrivateBin works now and after reboot; otherwise the web page will not load. source
  • Configure URL shortener if used If you want shortened links, set the urlshortener line to the exact API URL from the service example, including any key or credentials; missing or wrong values will make link shortening fail. source

Fetched 10 days ago - each note links to its source

Alternatives (12)

  • 0bin.net - 0bin is client side encrypted pastebin that can be launched without a database.
  • GitHub Gist - Gist is a simple way to share snippets and pastes with others.
  • Ideone - ideone.com is a...
  • One-Time Secret - Keep sensitive information out of your chat logs and email.
  • Pastebin.com - A widely used platform for storing and sharing text online, popular among programmers for source code and configuration sharing with ease.
  • Rentry.co - Rentry.co is a markdown pastebin and publishing service with preview, custom urls and editing.
  • ghostboard-server - Ghostboard is a lightweight, self-hosted solution for real-time synchronized text sharing.
  • hastebin - Alpine-based Docker image for Hastebin, the node.js paste service Haste is an open-source pastebin software written in node.js, which is ea…
  • lesma - lesma is a simple paste app, friendly with browser and command line, with files as storage backend.
  • onetimesecret - Containerized OneTimeSecret with customization, and without paid/account features.
  • opengist - Opengist is a self-hosted pastebin powered by Git.
  • pastefy - Pastefy is a user-friendly online platform that allows you to quickly and securely store and share text, code, or other notes.

Checked 7 days ago - source: AlternativeTo

Common questions

Why might PrivateBin break or fail to save notes after installation?

Run the provided permissions script and set pbpath and pbdata to your PrivateBin app and data folders. PHP needs the correct folder access or the site can break and fail to save notes.

What must be enabled when installing PrivateBin with Apache on Red Hat?

Enable and start the httpd service so PrivateBin works immediately and after reboot. If this is not done, the web page may not load.

Does PrivateBin require HTTPS and HSTS?

Yes, an installation has to be used over HTTPS. It should also be secured with HSTS, using traditional certificate authorities or DNSSEC-protected DANE.

Can server access logs reveal who viewed a paste?

PrivateBin encrypts paste and discussion content, but access logs can still disclose who accessed a paste first. This matters if a server administrator is forced to hand over access logs to authorities.

How do I configure URL shortening in PrivateBin?

Set the urlshortener configuration line to the exact API URL for the shortening service, including any key or credentials. Missing or wrong values will make link shortening fail.

Answers sourced from github.com, github.com, github.com, github.com

Community

Collected 10 days ago - public community threads