At SendSafely, we believe security is more than a feature. It is a promise we build into every corner of our platform. That promise begins with one core principle: we never have access to your data. Ever.

While many providers claim to offer secure communication, the reality is often more complicated. Gmail and Microsoft Outlook both offer forms of encryption, but if your data is encrypted with keys they manage, it is not truly private. Let’s dive in a little deeper.

Gmail: Encryption With a Catch

Gmail encrypts your emails in transit and at rest. That means when your messages move from one Google server to another or sit in a Google data center, they are protected. But here is the problem, Google holds the encryption keys.

Because Google manages the keys, they can decrypt your messages if required to do so. Whether for internal purposes, compliance with a government request, or in some scenarios, even machine processing like spam filtering and scanning, Google retains the ability to read your content. Even "confidential mode," which sounds secure, is more about access control than true encryption. It prevents forwarding or copying and allows messages to expire, but it does not prevent Google from accessing the message contents.

In short, Gmail's encryption provides protection against outside threats, but it still asks you to trust Google itself. That is not end-to-end encryption. That is encryption with exceptions.

Microsoft Outlook: Encryption With Access

Microsoft’s approach is similar. Outlook users, especially those on Microsoft 365, benefit from built-in encryption tools such as BitLocker and Microsoft Purview Message Encryption (MPME). But again, the critical detail is that Microsoft controls the encryption keys.

With MPME, emails can be encrypted and policies applied to control forwarding or copying. However, Microsoft retains the ability to decrypt the content. If the organization is using Microsoft’s cloud services, those messages can be accessed by Microsoft under certain conditions. Encryption here is still dependent on trust—trust in Microsoft's infrastructure, trust in their internal processes, and trust that no breach or misuse will occur.

There is no guarantee of true end-to-end privacy. Just like with Gmail, encryption exists, but the provider can still access your information.

SendSafely: Designed for Zero Access

SendSafely is fundamentally different.

We are a zero-trust platform built around end-to-end encryption. That means your messages and files are encrypted before they leave your device and remain encrypted until your intended recipient opens them. We never store or manage the keys needed to decrypt your content. Because of this, we cannot see your data, and no one else can either—not us, not your provider, and not an attacker who compromises our infrastructure.

Our encryption process splits the key into two parts. One part stays on our server, while the other is generated in your browser. Only when both parts are reunited in the recipient’s browser can the content be decrypted. Without both pieces, your message stays unreadable.

Even better, this process does not require your recipient to install software or create an account. Secure communication is possible using just a web browser.

How SendSafely Compares to Outlook and Gmail:

Privacy That Cannot Be Bypassed

Encryption only matters if it protects you from everyone who should not have access—including the provider. With Gmail and Outlook, encrypted data still lives within a framework of trust. SendSafely eliminates that requirement by removing ourselves from the equation entirely.

Our system is architected so that we never hold all the keys. Even if subpoenaed, breached, or compromised, we could not decrypt our users’ packages. That is the difference between encryption that sounds secure and encryption that is secure.

Built for Sensitive Workflows

Many organizations using Gmail or Outlook eventually face this question: What happens when encryption is not enough? The answer is often SendSafely.

Whether you are collecting ID documents, financial data, legal contracts, or medical information, SendSafely ensures that no one but you and your recipient can access it. Some of our most popular features include:

• Dropzones for secure file uploads
• Integrations with Salesforce, Zendesk, and Freshdesk
• Serverless Email Gateway (SEG)
• Custom expiration and watermark controls
  
  

We also offer features like Workspaces, a virtual encrypted data room, and Actions, a powerful automation engine to trigger events on secure submissions.

The Bottom Line

Microsoft and Google encrypt your data. They also hold the keys to unlock it.

SendSafely does not. We designed our system so we never see your data and never hold the keys. That’s what real privacy looks like. In a world where email providers routinely have access to your messages, SendSafely gives you something rare: control.

If your organization handles sensitive information, operates in a regulated environment, or simply refuses to compromise on privacy, it is time to rethink what secure communication means.

SendSafely: Integrated File Transfer for the Apps you Love 

If you are looking for a secure way to send or receive files with anyone, or simply need a better way to transfer large files, our platform might be right for you. 

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