Question 1

What are the different pricing plans?

Accepted Answer

FileSeal offers two paid plans: Professional (£29/month or £25/month billed annually, unlimited seals, 1 user) and Teams (£59/month or £47/month billed annually, unlimited seals, up to 5 users including the owner, extra seats £10/month each plus UK VAT on request). Prices exclude UK VAT. Both include the same encryption and GDPR features.

Question 2

How do teams work with FileSeal?

Accepted Answer

Teams let several professionals share one subscription with per-member permissions. By default the team owner, and any member with the view-all-requests permission, can see the team's requests and download their files. Permissions are set per member, and an individual request can be marked Private to me so other members cannot open it.

Question 3

Can team members see each other's files?

Accepted Answer

By default, yes. The team owner, and any member with the view-all-requests permission, can see the team's requests and download their files. Permissions are set per member, and an individual request can be marked Private to me so other members cannot open it.

Question 4

How much does it cost to add team members?

Accepted Answer

Teams includes up to 5 users at £59/month. Additional users are £10/month each plus UK VAT, added on request: email support@fileseal.uk. Professional is single-user only at £29/month.

Question 5

What happens when I upgrade to Teams?

Accepted Answer

When upgrading to Teams, you can invite up to 4 additional team members (5 total including yourself). Your existing requests and settings remain unchanged. Upgrading opens a Teams checkout that starts a new Teams subscription; if you already have an active Professional subscription, contact support@fileseal.uk before upgrading. Team members sign in with their own accounts under your subscription.

Question 6

Do team members need separate accounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, each team member has their own secure FileSeal account with individual login credentials. This eliminates password sharing security risks while enabling you to manage billing centrally. Each member has their own login; what they can see is set by per-member permissions.

Question 7

What is the difference between Email them and Get a link?

Accepted Answer

Files are encrypted with AES-GCM-256 in the browser before upload. On every web surface you choose how the link is delivered. Email them (the default) means FileSeal holds the key so it can email a working link and prepare your download, so FileSeal can decrypt files in this mode. Get a link (badged Most private) keeps the key only in the link, which never reaches FileSeal, so FileSeal cannot read the files. Email them is the default because, in the request flow, a lost link would destroy the client's only copy.

Question 8

Can I send documents to clients as well as request them?

Accepted Answer

Yes. From the dashboard Send modal you send a one-time download link with up to 10 files (10MB each, 50MB in total), or a short secure note that opens once. The public /send page needs no account and takes up to 10 files of 5MB each.

Question 9

How do I create my first secure link?

Accepted Answer

Click the "New Request" button in your dashboard, fill in your client's details, set an expiry time, and click "Create Seal". You'll get a secure link to share with your client immediately.

Question 10

Do my clients need to create an account?

Accepted Answer

No! That's one of FileSeal's key benefits. Your clients simply click your secure link and can upload documents immediately - no registration, no passwords, no software to install.

Question 11

How long do secure links last?

Accepted Answer

You can set upload links to stay open anywhere from 24 hours to 7 days (168 hours). Once your client has uploaded, you have a separate download window of 1 to 30 days, also set per request. Once you download the files, they are deleted from our servers regardless of the expiry time. Every plan, including the free trial, can set both.

Question 12

What file types are supported?

Accepted Answer

FileSeal supports PDF, JPG, PNG, DOCX, and DOC files. These cover the most common business documents like contracts, invoices, ID documents, proof of address, bank statements, and certificates.

Question 13

What's the maximum file size?

Accepted Answer

Individual files can be up to 10MB each. Your clients can upload multiple files in one request. This limit covers virtually all business documents while keeping upload times fast.

Question 14

How many sealed requests can I create?

Accepted Answer

Professional and Teams plans both include unlimited requests per month. During the free trial, you get up to 5 requests to test the service with no time limit.

Question 15

Can I customize the message my clients see?

Accepted Answer

Yes! When creating a request, you can add a custom description that explains what documents you need. Your professional title and company name (if set) will also appear to personalize the experience.

Question 16

Can I send a secure note instead of a file?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In the dashboard Send modal, switch from "Send files" to "Send a note" and type a short message - handy for a reference number, login details, or anything where a document would be overkill. The note is encrypted and opens once, then deletes itself. You can either get a link to share yourself ("Most private" - the key lives only in the link, so not even FileSeal can read it), or have us email the recipient a working one-time link.

Question 17

How secure is FileSeal?

Accepted Answer

FileSeal uses AES-256-GCM encryption. Documents are encrypted in the browser before they are uploaded. With the default Email them option FileSeal is able to decrypt the files, which is how we can email a working link and assemble your download. Choose Get a link (Most private) and the key stays only in the link, so not even FileSeal can read the files.

Question 18

Can FileSeal see my documents?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the option you pick. Documents are encrypted in the browser before they ever leave it, and we store only encrypted data. In Get a link (Most private) mode the key lives only in the link, so FileSeal cannot read the files. In the default Email them mode FileSeal is able to decrypt them, which is how we email a working link and assemble your download.

Question 19

What happens to files after download?

Accepted Answer

Files are deleted from our servers after you download them. Documents you send have a short grace window of a few minutes so the recipient's download can finish. Anything never collected is deleted when the link expires by a cleanup job that runs every four hours. Secure notes are erased the moment they are opened. Upload and download events are logged.

Question 20

Is FileSeal GDPR compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes, FileSeal is built with GDPR compliance by design. We process all data within the UK, implement data protection by design and default, provide automatic audit trails, and respect all data subject rights. You can download a GDPR compliance statement from your Settings page, describing the technical and organisational measures we apply to your documents, for your own compliance records.

Question 21

How do I download my GDPR compliance statement?

Accepted Answer

Navigate to Settings > Compliance in your dashboard and click "Download Statement". You will get a PDF describing the technical and organisational measures FileSeal applies to your documents, under UK GDPR Articles 28 and 32. It is useful for client records, due-diligence questionnaires and your own compliance file. It is not a certification under Article 42 UK GDPR, and responsibility for your organisation's own compliance remains with you as data controller.

Question 22

How do I generate activity reports for compliance audits?

Accepted Answer

In Settings > Compliance, select "Activity Report" and choose your date range (7, 30, 90 days, or custom). Click "Generate Activity Report" to create a detailed PDF showing all document request activity, security events, and audit trails. These reports are ideal for regulatory audits and internal compliance reviews.

Question 23

Where is my data stored?

Accepted Answer

Documents and the database are hosted in the UK: the application and file delivery run on Vercel in London (lhr1), the database is Neon PostgreSQL in AWS eu-west-2 (London), and encrypted files are stored in Vercel Blob's UK (London) store. Supporting sub-processors such as email delivery and error monitoring run in the UK or EEA, as listed in the DPA at /terms/dpa.

Question 24

How do you validate files?

Accepted Answer

FileSeal checks each file's type and size against the allowed list for that surface (document requests accept PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC and DOCX up to 10MB each; the public send page also accepts TXT). Files are encrypted with AES-256-GCM before they are uploaded and are deleted from our servers after download.

Question 25

Do you have a Data Processing Agreement?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is published at /terms/dpa and incorporated into the Terms, so there is nothing separate to sign; a counter-signed copy is available on request.

Question 26

Is there an API?

Accepted Answer

Yes: POST, GET and DELETE /v1/sends with bearer keys created in Settings, and the @fileseal/send MCP server. Files are encrypted by the caller before upload. Limits: 10MB per file, 50MB per send, 10 files, expiry 1 to 168 hours, 100 sends per 24 hours per account. The API defaults to Get a link; email delivery is opt-in.

Question 27

How does the free trial work?

Accepted Answer

You get 5 free secure requests with no time limit. No credit card required to start. The trial includes all security features so you can test FileSeal fully before choosing a paid plan.

Question 28

What's included in the Teams plan?

Accepted Answer

Teams (£59/month, or £47/month billed annually) includes unlimited secure requests per month, up to 5 team members (including you) with per-member permissions, email notifications, priority support, white-label branding on client-facing pages, and extra seats on request at £10/month plus VAT each.

Question 29

Do you offer plans for larger organisations?

Accepted Answer

For organisations needing more than 5 team members, advanced integrations, dedicated support, or bespoke compliance arrangements, contact us at support@fileseal.uk and we will scope a custom plan. Most small-medium practices find Teams (£59/month) provides everything they need.

Question 30

How do I cancel my subscription?

Accepted Answer

You can cancel anytime from your account settings. Click "Manage Subscription" to access your Stripe customer portal where you can cancel, update payment methods, or download invoices. For team plans, all members retain access until the billing period ends. No cancellation fees.

Question 31

Can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Fees are non-refundable except where the law requires (see the Terms). If a problem with the service has stopped you using it, email support@fileseal.uk and we will look at it case by case.

Question 32

How do I update my payment method?

Accepted Answer

Go to Account Settings and click "Manage Subscription" to access your Stripe customer portal. There you can update payment methods, view invoices, and manage your subscription details securely.

Question 33

What happens if my subscription expires?

Accepted Answer

Existing requests stay open until they expire and you can still collect files from them, but you cannot create new requests until you resubscribe.

Question 34

My client can't upload files

Accepted Answer

Check that: 1) The link hasn't expired, 2) Files are under 10MB and in supported formats (PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC, DOCX), 3) They have a stable internet connection, 4) JavaScript is enabled in their browser. Try the link in an incognito/private window.

Question 35

The download link isn't working

Accepted Answer

Downloads only work once - if you've already downloaded the files, they're deleted from our servers for security. Check your Downloads folder as the download may have completed silently. Clear your browser cache and try again if the issue persists.

Question 36

I forgot my password

Accepted Answer

Click "Forgot Password" on the sign-in page. You'll receive a password reset link via email. If you don't see it, check your spam folder. For continued issues, contact support@fileseal.uk.

Question 37

Files are showing as expired too early

Accepted Answer

FileSeal uses UK timezone (GMT/BST) for all expiry calculations. Check that your system time is correct and consider timezone differences. The exact expiry time is shown in your dashboard with timezone information.

Question 38

Email notifications aren't arriving

Accepted Answer

Check your spam/junk folder first. Ensure email notifications are enabled in your Account Settings. Notifications are sent from notifications@fileseal.uk - add this to your safe senders list. Allow up to 10 minutes for delivery.

Question 39

My dashboard shows "Failed to load"

Accepted Answer

Try refreshing the page first. If the issue persists, clear your browser cache and cookies for fileseal.uk. Check your internet connection and try accessing from an incognito/private window. Contact support if the problem continues.

Question 40

My GDPR statement won't download

Accepted Answer

Ensure your browser allows PDF downloads and isn't blocking pop-ups. Check your Downloads folder as it may have downloaded silently. Try generating the statement from a different browser or incognito window. If the issue persists, ensure your account is in good standing and contact support.

Question 41

Is it safe to upload my documents here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, FileSeal uses enterprise-level security with AES-256 encryption. Your documents are encrypted on your device before upload, and deleted from our servers after your professional downloads them once. We store only encrypted data.

Question 42

Do I need to install anything?

Accepted Answer

No software installation required! FileSeal works directly in your web browser. Simply click the secure link your professional sent you and upload your documents immediately.

Question 43

What browsers work with FileSeal?

Accepted Answer

FileSeal works with all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. We recommend using the latest version of your preferred browser for the best security and experience.

Question 44

My upload is failing - what should I do?

Accepted Answer

Check that your files are under 10MB each and in supported formats (PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC, DOCX). Ensure you have a stable internet connection. Try uploading files one at a time, or contact the professional who sent you the link.

Question 45

How do I know my documents were received?

Accepted Answer

After successful upload, you'll see a confirmation message with the number of files uploaded. The professional who requested your documents will also receive automatic email notifications (if they have them enabled).

Question 46

Can I upload documents after the link expires?

Accepted Answer

No, expired links cannot accept new uploads for security reasons. Contact the professional who sent you the link - they can create a new secure link for you with a fresh expiry time.

Help & FAQ

Pricing & Teams