ShareNotes
Ed. 16 — ShareNotes vs PasteDrop Live sync · flexible expiry · free API sharenotes.dev
Head-to-head comparison

Same friendly
URL. More
to do with it.

PasteDrop got the important thing right: a link you can actually say out loud beats a random hash. ShareNotes starts from the same place and keeps going — the note stays live between devices, you choose how long it lasts, and a script can create one without an API key.

Live multi-device sync 4 expiry options 0 API keys needed
stays editable 1h · 24h · 7d
No sign-up · Free forever Open the editor
Memorable URLs · Live sync · Free API

How does ShareNotes compare to PasteDrop?

ShareNotes and PasteDrop both use memorable, human-readable URLs with no login. ShareNotes adds real-time sync so the note stays live and editable after sharing, a choice of 1 hour, 24 hour or 7 day expiry rather than a single fixed window, view-once notes, optional PIN protection, and a free REST API that needs no key. Both tools are free to use.

I

Four things ShareNotes adds to the same idea.

After you share
Still live

A ShareNotes link is not frozen. Open it on two devices and edits appear on both as they are typed, so it doubles as a shared scratchpad.

Expiry control
1h · 24h · 7d

Pick how long the note should live, up to 30 days through the API — rather than a single fixed window for everything you share.

Single-use notes
Burn on read

Tick delete-after-first-read and the note dies when it is opened. It also survives Slack and iMessage link previews, which silently consume notes on most burn-after-read tools.

For scripts
Free REST API

Pipe a file or a CI log straight to a shareable URL with curl. No key, no signup, 20 requests a day per IP.

II

ShareNotes against PasteDrop, feature by feature.

Feature ShareNotes PasteDrop
Memorable word URLs The thing both tools get right.
Yes
Yes
No login No account needed to create or read.
Yes
Yes
Real-time sync Edits push live to everyone on the link.
Yes
No
Choice of expiry 1 hour, 24 hours, 7 days; 30 days via API.
Yes
24h only
View-once notes Destroyed on first read.
Yes
No
Survives preview bots Slack/Discord/iMessage unfurls do not burn the note.
Yes
n/a
PIN protection Password to view, or to edit only.
Yes
No
Markdown + highlighting Rendered markdown and highlighted code.
Yes
Varies
Public REST API Create notes from curl with no key.
Yes
No
Price No paid tier for any of the above.
Free
Free
III

Answers, briefly.

How is ShareNotes different from PasteDrop?

Both give you a memorable, human-readable URL with no login. ShareNotes adds real-time sync so the note stays live between devices, a choice of expiry windows instead of one fixed period, view-once notes that self-destruct on first read, optional PIN protection, and a public REST API for creating notes from scripts.

Can I keep editing a note after sharing the link?

Yes. A ShareNotes link stays editable, and anyone viewing it sees changes as they happen. That makes it useful as a shared scratchpad, not just a one-way paste. You can lock editing behind a PIN if you want to share read-only.

How long do notes last?

You choose: 1 hour, 24 hours or 7 days from the Save dialog, or up to 30 days via the API with expiresIn. Left alone, a note is removed 7 days after it was last opened. View-once notes ignore the clock and die on first read.

Is there an API?

Yes, and it needs no key. curl -X POST https://sharenotes.dev/api/v1/notes -H "Content-Type: text/plain" --data-binary @log.txt returns a shareable URL. JSON bodies accept a custom slug, expiry, PIN and view-once flag. The limit is 20 creations per day per IP.

Does ShareNotes support code snippets?

Yes — syntax highlighting for code and a markdown preview toggle are built into the note view, plus a Copy Text button and a download as .txt or .md option.

Are ShareNotes links private?

Links are unguessable in practice but not secret by themselves — anyone with the URL can open the note. For anything sensitive, add a PIN, set a short timer, or use view-once mode. Notes are not end-to-end encrypted, so treat high-value secrets accordingly.