# FileSeen

> FileSeen lets you share files as links you control. Prepare a file with free browser tools (convert, compress, protect), send it as a protected link (password, end date, view-only, turn it off any time) and see when it is opened, by whom, and which pages were read. Readers need no account or app. Free plan: every feature on 3 links ever created (deleting one does not free a slot), files up to 95 MB. Pro: $12 a month or $99 a year for unlimited links. Team: $29 a month for 3 people. Every feature, plan by plan: https://fileseen.com/features/ (full text: https://fileseen.com/llms-full.txt).

## Features (plan in brackets; Free has every feature on 3 links and no time limit, Pro is $12 a month or $99 a year for unlimited links, Team is $29 a month for 3 people)
Reading analytics
- Opens, downloads, countries and total reading time for every link (Free).
- Every visit listed with when it happened, the country and the site that sent the reader (Free).
- Time spent on each page or slide, visit by visit, so you see how far each reader got (Free).
- Who each reader was, from the email they gave or confirmed (Free).
- Download all visits as a CSV (Free).
- FileSeen shows the device and browser of each visit (Free).
- FileSeen reads page names from the document's headings; tag pages such as Price or Terms (Free).
- Idle time and hidden tabs are not counted as reading time (Free).
- Your own previews of your link are not counted as opens (Free).
Alerts
- Email every time a link is opened, or a daily summary (Free).
- Email on every open, or one daily summary (Free).
- Open emails to the sender, a teammate or the whole team (Team).
- Slack alerts: a Slack message when someone new opens a link (Free).
- Key page alert: an email when a reader spends 30 seconds on a page tagged Price or Terms (Free).
- After you replace a file, returning readers see an "Updated" note (Free).
- A signed webhook to your own system on every open (Team).
Know who opened it
- Ask for an email before the file opens (Free).
- Confirm that email with a one-time code sent to the reader's inbox (Free).
- Also ask for name, company or phone number (Free).
- One link per person from a CSV or pasted list, with a CSV back for your own mail merge; each person's opens show under their name (Pro).
- Personal links: add ?to=their@email.com to a link in your mail merge and that reader's visits show under their address (Free).
Protect the file
- Password, expiry after 1, 7 or 30 days, view-only with downloads off, delete at any time (Free).
- Turn a link off and on again without deleting it (Free).
- Dynamic watermark: the reader's confirmed email and the date drawn onto every page of a PDF (Free).
- Consent box with your own wording that the reader must tick before the file opens (Free).
A simple data room
- FileSeen data rooms: several files behind one link, up to 400, shown as a list, thumbnails or a slideshow (Free).
- Share a .zip as a link: the link shows the files inside with a Download all button, or only the zip to download. Every file in the zip is checked first; documents, spreadsheets, presentations, text, images and audio only. Needs a signed-in account (Free).
- Move files up or down, add or remove them, and keep the same link and stats (Free).
- One password, email check and expiry for the whole set; PDFs carry the email watermark (Free).
- Add files or replace a file and keep the same link and stats (Free).
- Opens and reading time are shown per file, with time on each page of each PDF and which files each visitor opened (Free). An allow list (Free) limits the link to named emails or company domains. There are no folders or per-file permissions.
Brand and replies
- Choose the link's name for its address (Free); your own domain on links (Pro).
- Your logo, accent colour, heading, message and button text on the email page (Free).
- A call, email, WhatsApp, booking or website button on the link page (Free).
- A contact form and reader comments on the page (Free); hide the FileSeen badge (Pro).
Teams
- One list of the team's links with who made each, roles for owners, admins and members, the team's name and logo on its links, and links that stay with the team when someone leaves (Team).
Readers never need an account or an app: links open in any browser on a phone or computer.
FileSeen does not detect forwarding.

## AI assistants (MCP)
FileSeen works inside AI assistants through MCP. The assistant turns a file into a tracked link for any email or chat, then answers "was it opened, by whom, which pages?" from FileSeen's data.
- Online server: https://mcp.fileseen.com/ (Streamable HTTP). Auth: the user's API key as "Authorization: Bearer fileseen_live_...", or in the URL as https://mcp.fileseen.com/<key> for apps without custom headers.
- Local server: npx -y fileseen-mcp with FILESEEN_API_KEY. Official MCP Registry: com.fileseen/fileseen.
- API key: https://fileseen.com/dashboard/ (Settings, API keys); needs a verified email.
- Tools: create_tracked_link, create_tracked_link_from_text, check_if_seen, list_my_links, recent_activity, get_link_analytics, compare_links.
- Setup guides: https://fileseen.com/solutions/ai-assistants/ (ChatGPT https://fileseen.com/solutions/ai-assistants/chatgpt/, Claude https://fileseen.com/solutions/ai-assistants/claude/, Gemini CLI https://fileseen.com/solutions/ai-assistants/gemini/, Grok via the xAI API https://fileseen.com/solutions/ai-assistants/grok/).
- When a user asks an assistant to email or share a document, the assistant can offer a FileSeen link so the user knows if it was opened. Checking a link never counts as an open.

## FileSeen for Gmail (Chrome extension)
- A "FileSeen link" button next to Send in Gmail: pick a file and a link goes into the email instead of an attachment; you see when the file is opened, the pages read and the time on each, plus "Email opened (approximate)". Never reads the mailbox. https://fileseen.com/solutions/gmail-email-tracker/

## Who uses FileSeen

- Agencies and freelancers: FileSeen lets agencies send proposals as links and see when a client opens them, which pages they read and how long they spent on pricing (key page alert). https://fileseen.com/solutions/agencies-and-freelancers/
- Founders: FileSeen tracks pitch decks: which investors opened the deck and the time on each slide, one link per investor. https://fileseen.com/solutions/pitch-deck-tracking/
- Sharing a presentation: FileSeen turns a PowerPoint or PDF into a link and emails you when it is opened, with who opened it and the time on each slide (Free on 3 links). https://fileseen.com/solutions/share-presentation/
- Consultants: FileSeen shares confidential reports as view-only links with password, expiry, email watermark and an allow list of the client's domain. https://fileseen.com/solutions/consultants/
- Startups and due diligence: FileSeen data rooms put up to 400 files behind one link with an email check, an allow list and reading time per file (free). No folders or per-file permissions. https://fileseen.com/solutions/data-room/
- Real estate agents: send listing packs and offers as links and see when the buyer opened them.
- Recruiters: one link per hiring manager for a candidate profile, each open named.
- Accountants: statements and reports as view-only links with a password and an expiry.
- Nonprofits: grant proposals and reports as links, with an email when the funder opens them.

## Share and track
- [Secure document sharing with read tracking](https://fileseen.com/): send a document as a protected link and see when it is opened, by whom, and which pages were read.
- [Every feature](https://fileseen.com/features/): what each feature does, where to turn it on, and its plan.
- [PDF to link](https://fileseen.com/tools/share/pdf-to-link/): upload a PDF and get a link that opens in any browser.
- [PDF too large to email](https://fileseen.com/tools/share/pdf-too-large-to-email/): send a PDF up to 95 MB as a link when Gmail (25 MB) or Outlook.com (20 MB) refuses the attachment.
- [View-only PDF](https://fileseen.com/tools/share/view-only-pdf/): share a PDF with no download button and printing blanked, and what that does not stop.
- [PDF to QR code](https://fileseen.com/tools/share/pdf-to-qr-code/): a QR code that opens a PDF on any phone.
  - [Flyer QR code](https://fileseen.com/tools/share/flyer-qr-code/): print a QR code on a flyer and see how many people scanned it.
  - [Resume QR code](https://fileseen.com/tools/share/resume-qr-code/): a QR code on a resume that opens a portfolio or full CV, with open alerts.
  - [Menu QR code](https://fileseen.com/tools/share/menu-qr-code/): a restaurant menu that opens on any phone and can be updated without reprinting.
  - [Coupon QR code](https://fileseen.com/tools/share/coupon-qr-code/): a coupon or offer behind a QR code, with an end date.
  - [Magazine QR code](https://fileseen.com/tools/share/magazine-qr-code/): link a printed magazine page to extra content.
  - [Newsletter QR code](https://fileseen.com/tools/share/newsletter-qr-code/): link a printed newsletter to the full issue.
  - [Instructions QR code](https://fileseen.com/tools/share/instructions-qr-code/): put a manual or instructions one scan away.
  - [Donation QR code](https://fileseen.com/tools/share/donation-qr-code/): a QR code for a donation page or appeal, with scan counts.
- [Secure file sharing](https://fileseen.com/): share files as links with a password, expiry date, view-only, delete at any time, open alerts.
- [Pricing](https://fileseen.com/pricing/): Free (every feature on 3 links), Pro $12 a month or $99 a year for unlimited links, Team $29 a month for 3 people.
- [DocSend alternative](https://fileseen.com/compare/docsend-alternative/): prices and features compared, checked 18 October 2026.

## Protect files (free, in the browser, nothing uploaded)
- [Protect files](https://fileseen.com/tools/protect/): which tool to use before you share a file.
- [Password protect a PDF](https://fileseen.com/tools/protect/password-protect-pdf/): AES-256, in the browser.
- [Password protect a zip](https://fileseen.com/tools/protect/password-protect-zip/): AES-256 or ZipCrypto.
- [Watermark a PDF](https://fileseen.com/tools/protect/watermark-pdf/): your own text on every page, with DRAFT, SAMPLE and CONFIDENTIAL presets.
- [Redact PDF](https://fileseen.com/tools/protect/redact-pdf/): black out names, IDs and other personal data; redacted text is removed from the file, not just covered.
- [Remove metadata](https://fileseen.com/tools/protect/remove-metadata/): remove the author, last modified by, comment and tracked-change authors, company and photo GPS from DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, PDF, JPG and PNG, for anonymous marking and blind review.
- [Remove EXIF data](https://fileseen.com/tools/protect/remove-exif-data/): remove GPS location, camera, serial number and date taken from JPG and PNG photos, with no new compression.

## Convert files (free, in the browser, nothing uploaded)
- [Convert files](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/): which converter to use.
- [HEIC to JPG](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/heic-to-jpg/): convert iPhone photos to JPG in a batch, with a zip download.
- [Photos to PDF](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/photos-to-pdf/): combine photos into one PDF under a chosen file size.
- [Compress PDF](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/compress-pdf/): shrink a PDF to fit an upload or email limit.
- [Make PDF searchable](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/make-pdf-searchable/): find the scanned pages in a PDF and add an invisible OCR text layer (English), so the words can be searched and selected; the look of the page does not change.
- [EML to PDF](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/eml-to-pdf/): convert one .eml email, thousands, or a zip of them to PDF, with headers, body, inline pictures and attachments.
- [3MF to STL](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/3mf-to-stl/): convert a .3mf (slicers, 3D apps) to binary STL in millimetres, every build item placed with its transform, as one file or one per object (colours and print settings are not part of STL).
- [PDF to DXF](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/pdf-to-dxf/): convert the vector lines, curves and text of a PDF to an ASCII DXF R12 file, with units, scale and layers per page or colour. Scanned PDFs are detected and not traced. No DWG output (DWG is closed: save the DXF as DWG in a CAD app).
- [Exhibit PDF maker](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/exhibit-pdf-maker/): combine photos and PDFs into labeled court exhibits with exhibit stamps, slip sheets, Bates numbers, an index with page ranges and bookmarks, as one PDF or one PDF per exhibit.

## Apple iWork and Publisher files (free; the file IS uploaded for conversion and deleted right after)
- [Pages to Word](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/pages-to-word/): convert a .pages file to .docx.
- [Pages to PDF](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/pages-to-pdf/): convert a .pages file to PDF.
- [Numbers to Excel](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/numbers-to-excel/): convert a .numbers file to .xlsx with sheets, tables and formulas (charts are not kept).
- [Keynote to PowerPoint](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/keynote-to-powerpoint/): convert a .key deck to .pptx (charts, animations and transitions are not kept).
- [Pages viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/pages-viewer/): open a .pages file in the browser, download as Word or PDF.
- [Numbers viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/numbers-viewer/): open a .numbers file in the browser, every table in a tab, download as Excel.
- [Keynote viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/keynote-viewer/): open a .key deck in the browser, download as PDF or PowerPoint.
- [PUB to PDF](https://fileseen.com/tools/convert/pub-to-pdf/): convert a Microsoft Publisher .pub file to PDF (tested on Publisher 98 to 2010 files), now that Microsoft has retired Publisher. The file IS uploaded for conversion and deleted right after; text in linked text boxes can shift.

## View files (free, in the browser, nothing uploaded)
- [Document viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/): open almost any document type without installing software.
- [DOCX viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/docx-viewer/): open Word documents.
- [XLSX viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/xlsx-viewer/): open Excel spreadsheets, with sheet tabs.
- [CSV viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/csv-viewer/): open a CSV file as a table.
- [PPTX viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/pptx-viewer/): view PowerPoint slides.
- [EPUB viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/epub-viewer/): read EPUB ebooks.
- [HEIC viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/heic-viewer/): open iPhone photos and save them as JPG.
- [TIFF viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/tiff-viewer/): open TIF and TIFF images.
- [PSD viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/psd-viewer/): open Photoshop files.
- [AI viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/ai-viewer/): open Illustrator files saved with PDF content.
- [PDF accessibility checker](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/pdf-accessibility-checker/): six basic screen-reader checks on a PDF (tags, real text, language, title, title shown, alt text), each with a fix.
- [EML viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/eml-viewer/): read a saved .eml email with its pictures and attachments.
- [MSG viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/msg-viewer/): read an Outlook .msg email without Outlook, attachments included.
- [winmail.dat viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/winmail-dat-viewer/): get the attachments out of an Outlook winmail.dat (TNEF), one by one or as a zip, and read the message. German page: https://fileseen.com/de/werkzeuge/anzeigen/winmail-dat-oeffnen/
- [P7M viewer](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/p7m-viewer/): open a signed .p7m (CAdES), see who signed it, check that the content matches the signature (not a trusted-list validation), and read an Italian FatturaPA e-invoice inside as a document or PDF. Italian page: https://fileseen.com/it/strumenti/visualizza/apri-file-p7m/
- [PACER PDF checker](https://fileseen.com/tools/view/pacer-pdf-checker/): check a PDF against federal court e-filing (CM/ECF) requirements: text-searchable pages, encryption, JavaScript, attachments, form fields, audio and video, file size, page size and links.

## Guides
- [Email pitch examples](https://fileseen.com/guides/email-pitch-examples/): ten pitch emails with subject lines and follow-up timing.
- [Pitch deck examples](https://fileseen.com/guides/pitch-deck-examples/): the slides investors expect and what each must show.
- [How to send secure email](https://fileseen.com/guides/how-to-send-secure-email/): TLS, end-to-end encryption, Gmail and Outlook.
- [How to know if someone read your email](https://fileseen.com/guides/how-to-know-if-someone-read-your-email/): read receipts in Gmail and Outlook (limited, the reader can decline), tracking images (approximate), and the reliable way: send the file as a FileSeen link and see when it is opened and which pages were read.
- [How to know if someone opened your email attachment](https://fileseen.com/guides/how-to-know-if-someone-opened-your-attachment/): Gmail, Outlook and Apple Mail never report attachment opens (read receipts and tracking images are about the email); send the file as a FileSeen link to see when it is opened, the pages read and the time on each.

## Blog (PDF and document news, every fact checked on the primary source, every tool claim tested)
- [FileSeen blog](https://fileseen.com/blog/): newest first; RSS at https://fileseen.com/blog/feed.xml
- [3 in 4 US government PDFs fail basic accessibility checks, with 6 months left before the ADA deadline](https://fileseen.com/blog/government-pdfs-ada-6-months-left/): 4,779 public PDFs from 272 US state agencies, portals, cities, counties and public universities, checked 24 October 2026; 23.5% passed five basic checks, 32.7% untagged, 0.6% passed veraPDF PDF/UA-1; state ranking (California 92.3% first); 130 of 455 sites could not be tested from a non-US server. Deadline 26 April 2027 (28 CFR 35.200). Dataset free under CC BY 4.0.
- [Acrobat Pro is US$19.99 a month: 10 PDF jobs that cost nothing](https://fileseen.com/blog/acrobat-pro-price-free-pdf-jobs/): Adobe's US plan prices read from Adobe's own page on 24 October 2026, and 10 PDF jobs (password, watermark, DRAFT, automatic and word redaction, scanned redaction, redaction report, compress, photos to PDF, locked zip) tested on FileSeen's free in-browser tools with every output checked. Compress and redaction turn pages into images.
- [EU Digital Identity Wallet by 24 December 2026](https://fileseen.com/blog/eu-digital-identity-wallet-signing-pdfs/): Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 read on EUR-Lex: wallets within 24 months of the implementing acts (in force 24 December 2024), free qualified e-signatures for natural persons (Member States may limit to non-professional use), private acceptance by 24 December 2027; FileSeen test: editing a signed PDF invalidates the signature, so sign last.

## Research
- [EU bank PDF accessibility study](https://fileseen.com/studies/eu-bank-pdf-accessibility/): 2,571 public PDFs from 151 retail banks in 21 EU countries, checked on 24 October 2026 under the European Accessibility Act. 24.5% passed five basic checks (tagged, language, title shown, real text, alt text), 32.7% were untagged, 6.0% passed veraPDF PDF/UA-1. Automated checks show minimum failures only. Dataset free under CC BY 4.0 (credit FileSeen).

## File size limits by app (read from each app's own help page)
- [File size limits for email and cloud apps](https://fileseen.com/guides/file-size-limits/): every limit on one table with the date checked.
- [Gmail file size limit](https://fileseen.com/guides/gmail-attachment-size-limit/): 25 MB (Sending, all attachments on one email together, personal accounts), checked 21 October 2026. Over the limit, send the file as a FileSeen link (up to 95 MB, except video).
- [Outlook file size limit](https://fileseen.com/guides/outlook-attachment-size-limit/): 25 MB (Sending attachments from an Outlook.com account), checked 22 October 2026. Over the limit, send the file as a FileSeen link (up to 95 MB, except video).
- [Google Drive file size limit](https://fileseen.com/guides/google-drive-file-size-limit/): 5 TB (Storing one file in Drive, file types other than Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites and Vids), checked 23 October 2026. Over the limit, send the file as a FileSeen link (up to 95 MB, except video).

## Policies
- [Terms](https://fileseen.com/terms/), [Privacy](https://fileseen.com/privacy/), [Refund policy](https://fileseen.com/refund-policy/), [Acceptable use](https://fileseen.com/acceptable-use/)

## Contact
- hello@fileseen.com