This blog post was originally published on my personal blog and featured on hacker News. Some orthographic corrections have been made. Please note: Some information about the product is no longer accurate.
The Beginning
It all started with the idea of sending private messages—in a fun way. Messages that don’t persist. Think Snapchat, but without compromising user privacy.
As with many ideas, a bit of research quickly revealed that similar solutions already existed: the first setback. However, I wasn’t entirely satisfied with what I found. Yes, tools like One-Time Secret, Yopass, Privnote, and PrivateBin all offer something valuable—some excel in privacy and security, while others focus on UI. But I wanted a combination of the best features. And, most importantly, I wanted the tool to be fun. UX was where I felt I could add the most value.
This idea evolved into a project that could be summed up as “Sharing secrets as a service.”
Like many side projects, the beginning was easy. In fact, I had a working prototype online after just one weekend—complete with a domain, a functional website, a database, and even a logo.
The Next Phase
Then came phase two—the moment when the project starts to consume all your thoughts.
- This feature would be fun.
- That part needs a refactor.
- What about monetization? I need to cover infrastructure costs.
- Wait, do I need user accounts for that?
- Should I add proper terms and a privacy policy?
- Did I even choose the right framework?
These are the thoughts that keep side projects from ever moving beyond the prototype stage. But thanks to the pandemic, I stayed focused. Three months later, I was confident enough to launch the project on Product Hunt—not expecting much, just looking for early feedback. And that brings us to today.
Status Quo
What Scrt.link Is
Scrt.link is a tool for securely sharing sensitive information online through end-to-end encrypted, one-time-use links.
There are currently three types of secrets users can share (with secret file sharing under consideration):
- Text – The default mode, ideal for sharing passwords and other confidential information. The recipient can copy the secret.
- Link – A one-time-use URL shortener. The generated link works only once.
- Neogram™ – A digital, letter-style message that self-destructs after being read. Perfect for confidential notes, confessions, or secret love letters.
Scrt.link also offers browser extensions for all major browsers and provides both free and paid user accounts for power users and supporters. There’s even a Twitter account for updates.
By the Numbers
- 778 secrets created
- 42 upvotes on Product Hunt
- 1 paying customer
What’s Next?
This project was born out of curiosity and a desire to learn—and in that sense, it’s already a success. Along the way, I’ve gained hands-on experience in areas I previously knew little about: backend development, databases, privacy, and even marketing.
I still love this project, and I believe it has real value—perhaps even room to grow. However, by the numbers, one could call it a failure, which raises the question: is my time better spent elsewhere?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas, and wisdom.
Best,
Chris