The Free DocSend Alternative with Better Analytics.
PaperLink is the best free alternative to DocSend. All 11 access controls and page-by-page analytics are included in the free plan - no paywall for core features. Custom domains, NDA requirements, and built-in invoicing that DocSend does not offer at any price.
Why teams switch to PaperLink
Free plan with all access controls
DocSend puts NDA, watermarking, and advanced analytics behind a $150/month paywall. PaperLink includes all 11 access controls on the free plan.
Tab visibility detection
PaperLink stops the analytics timer when a viewer switches tabs or minimizes the browser. DocSend counts all time as active reading.
Custom domains on paid plans
Share documents from docs.yourcompany.com instead of a generic docsend.com URL. DocSend offers subdomain customization only on the Advanced plan.
Built-in invoicing & estimates
Share a proposal, track who read it, then invoice the client - all from one platform. DocSend requires a separate billing tool.
Feature comparison
| Feature | PaperLink | DocSend |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes - 50 files, all controls | No - starts at $15/mo |
| Page-by-page analytics | All plans | All plans |
| Tab visibility detection | ||
| Password protection | All plans | All plans |
| Email verification | All plans | All plans |
| NDA / agreement gate | All plans | Advanced ($150/mo) |
| Custom domains | Business | Advanced ($150/mo) |
| Custom URL slugs | Pro | Advanced ($150/mo) |
| Virtual data rooms | Yes (Spaces) | |
| Built-in invoicing | ||
| Public REST API | ||
| MCP server for AI | Yes (116+ tools) | |
| Chrome extension | ||
| Slack integration | ||
| Languages | 8 languages | English only |
FAQ
Yes. The free plan includes 50 files, 1 folder, all 11 access controls, and page-by-page analytics. No credit card required. Paid plans unlock additional features like custom URL slugs and bulk email sharing.
Yes. Upload your documents to PaperLink and create new sharing links. Your existing DocSend links will continue to work until you cancel your DocSend subscription. There is no automatic migration tool - you upload files manually.
PaperLink offers more detailed analytics than DocSend. Both track page-by-page engagement, but PaperLink adds tab visibility detection (stops the timer when viewers switch tabs), per-viewer per-page breakdown, and completion rate tracking.
PaperLink includes features DocSend lacks at any price: NDA/agreement gate on all plans, custom domains, built-in invoicing and estimates, public REST API, MCP server for AI agents, Chrome extension, document requests, and support for 8 languages.