Keybase
Keybase combines secure messaging, file sharing, and team collaboration across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web.
What Keybase is
Keybase combines secure messaging, file sharing, and team collaboration across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web. It uses public-key cryptography for chats and says messages and files are end-to-end encrypted, with private keys kept on users’ devices rather than its servers. Users can set sensitive messages to expire in one-to-one chats and in team, group, and community channels. Teams bring private chats with multiple channels together with file sharing and collaboration on Git. Team chats, files, and Git are encrypted, and team keys change when a member is removed or revokes a device. Keybase also supports public communities and identity proofs involving services such as Twitter, Reddit, Hacker News, and GitHub. Teams and subteams have a listed 100 GB file limit; personal Git repositories share a 100 GB limit, and each team gets 100 GB for Git. The product is open source and includes business admin controls.
Good
- End-to-end encryption for messages and files
- Available on mobile, desktop, and web
- Timed messages work in chats and channels
- Teams support private channels and Git collaboration
- Open source with business admin controls
Watch out
- Team and subteam file storage is limited to 100 GB
- Personal Git repositories share a 100 GB limit
Who it suits
Keybase suits people who want encrypted messaging and file sharing across devices, as well as teams that need private channels, shared files, or Git collaboration. Its identity integrations may also suit users who connect with public communities.
Verdict
Keybase brings encrypted conversations, file sharing, and team collaboration into one product. Its device coverage and expiring-message options are useful for people who want those capabilities together.
The facts
Each one read from Keybase's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Business admin controls
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Encryption
- Keybase says messages and files are end-to-end encrypted so only the user and intended recipients can read them.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Expiring messages
- Users can set a timer on sensitive messages; the feature works in one-to-one chats and team, group, and community channels.checked 4 Oct 2026
- File sharing
- Keybase says users can store and share group photos, videos, and documents with end-to-end encryption.checked 4 Oct 2026
- File storage
- Keybase says it can store a group’s photos, videos, and documents with end-to-end encryption.checked 5 Oct 2026
- File versioning
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Git limit
- Keybase’s encrypted Git announcement says personal repositories have a combined 100 GB limit and each team gets 100 GB.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Groups
- Teams are groups that can chat, use files, and collaborate on Git.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Identity integrations
- Keybase supports identity proofs and team invites involving Twitter, Reddit, Hacker News, GitHub, and other integrated social networks.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Keybase says users can connect with public communities from Twitter, Reddit, and elsewhere.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Messaging
- Keybase says it uses public-key cryptography so messages stay private and even Keybase cannot read chats.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Keybase describes its app as open source and links to its source code.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Product
- Keybase describes itself as secure messaging and file-sharing.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Security
- Keybase says private keys are stored only on users’ devices, not on its servers.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Security review
- Keybase says its security was reviewed by NCC Group and links to a 2018 report.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Storage limit
- 250checked 20 Sep 2026
- Support
- Keybase directs users who encounter client bugs to run `keybase log send` in a terminal and follow the instructions.checked 5 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Device platforms
- macOS,Windows,Linux,iOS,Androidchecked 20 Sep 2026
- Platforms
- Keybase’s installation page lists macOS, Linux, Windows, iPhone/iPad, and Android.checked 5 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Free use
- Keybase’s Teams launch announcement says existing free offerings would not switch to a paid model and that current use was grandfathered in.checked 4 Oct 2026
The company
- Team file limit
- Teams and subteams can store up to 100 GB of documents, photos, and videos.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Teams
- Keybase teams support private chats with multiple channels and team file sharing.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Team security
- Keybase’s Teams documentation says team chats, files, and Git are end-to-end encrypted, and that team keys are changed when someone is removed or revokes a device.checked 4 Oct 2026
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