Skip to content
Home Comparisons SendSafely vs Box
SendSafely vs Box

An end-to-end encrypted alternative to Box for encrypted file storage.

Box is built for broad enterprise collaboration. SendSafely is built for the moments where the data shouldn't sit in your service vendor's cloud at all — split-key encrypted client-side, with verified recipients on the other end.

At a glance

Two products, different jobs.

A side-by-side picture of what Box is built for, and where SendSafely is built differently.

What Box does well
  • Familiar drive interface and OS sync clients for ongoing collaboration
  • Mature marketplace of editing, signing, and workflow apps
  • Strong enterprise content-management story for files that don't need end-to-end encryption
Where SendSafely is different
  • Split-key encryption, not server-side at rest. Box encrypts content at rest with keys Box manages. SendSafely encrypts on the sender's device with OpenPGP, and the decryption key is split so neither SendSafely nor any vendor in the path can read the contents on its own.
  • Recipients verify identity, no account needed. External parties don't need a Box account or a license. They click a one-time link, verify identity (email or SMS), and decrypt locally.
  • Built into the tools your team already uses. Native Outlook plug-in, Gmail extension, Zendesk app, Salesforce app, Intercom app, Freshdesk app, REST API, plus HALO for AI chat. Encryption follows the workflow instead of replacing it.
Feature comparison

SendSafely and Box side by side.

Each row reflects how the two products approach the same problem. Both companies maintain their own certifications and audit programs — consult each vendor's public documentation for current capabilities.

Feature SendSafely Box
End-to-end encryption (client-side, before upload) Every file, every product surface Encrypted at rest server-side; Box holds the keys
Split-key architecture (no admin path to plaintext) Yes — sender + recipient halves, never combined on a server No — Box admins and the service can decrypt
Max file size per send Up to 100 GB Up to 150 GB on Enterprise plans
Recipient account required No — link plus identity verification Sharing externally varies by plan and policy
Native helpdesk + email plug-ins included Zendesk, Salesforce, Intercom, Freshdesk, Outlook, Gmail Sold as add-ons or through third-party apps
SOC 2 Type 2, HIPAA BAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, CCPA All covered All covered
Audit log API for SIEM REST endpoint with PACKAGE_EVENT, ADMIN_EVENT, USER_EVENT Available on Enterprise and above

Comparative claims reflect publicly documented behavior of Box as of the page's last update. Box maintains its own product roadmap; consult their documentation for current capabilities.

Why teams choose SendSafely

Four architectural differences that matter.

01

Split-key encryption, not server-side at rest

Box encrypts content at rest with keys Box manages. SendSafely encrypts on the sender's device with OpenPGP, and the decryption key is split so neither SendSafely nor any vendor in the path can read the contents on its own.

02

Recipients verify identity, no account needed

External parties don't need a Box account or a license. They click a one-time link, verify identity (email or SMS), and decrypt locally.

03

Built into the tools your team already uses

Native Outlook plug-in, Gmail extension, Zendesk app, Salesforce app, Intercom app, Freshdesk app, REST API, plus HALO for AI chat. Encryption follows the workflow instead of replacing it.

Who switches

Teams moving from Box to SendSafely.

Teams moving sensitive workflows off Box typically aren't replacing Box — they're carving the regulated, externally-shared subset of their file traffic into a system where the vendor itself can't read the content.

  • Legal teams sending diligence packages to outside counsel
  • Healthcare exchanging PHI with covered entities and business associates under HIPAA
  • Finance moving deal documents, KYC files, audit responses to regulated counterparties
  • Customer support collecting screenshots, logs, and ID documents inside helpdesk tickets

Most teams keep Box for everyday collaboration and move the regulated subset into encrypted storage or a shared Workspace. Unity did exactly that — secrets out of email, Slack, Zendesk, and Jira, without replacing the tools underneath.

Audited and compliant

The same controls regulated procurement asks for.

Every file is encrypted on the sender's device using OpenPGP. SendSafely sees ciphertext only — the decryption key is split so nobody, not even SendSafely, can read the contents on its own.

Audited annually. SendSafely maintains the certifications regulated industries require.

Compliance & certifications
SOC 2 Type 2 HIPAA PCI DSS GDPR CCPA
Client-side OpenPGP
Files are encrypted on the device before they ever leave it.
Split-key architecture
The decryption key is split so no single party—including SendSafely—can decrypt file contents on its own.
Full audit trail
Every send, recipient open, identity check, and download is logged with timestamps for compliance reporting.
Compare side by side

Ready to see how SendSafely handles your storage workflow vs Box?

Real product demo, real questions, no slideware. Bring your toughest Box edge case and we'll walk through the SendSafely architecture against it.