Alternatives

HeirVault vs DeadSender

HeirVault is an end-to-end encrypted legacy vault with named beneficiary claims, a waiting period, and optional witnesses. DeadSender is a dead man's switch product focused on timed message delivery after missed check-ins. Both use check-in timing; HeirVault centers docs and files for handoff plus a claim portal.

Who each is for

HeirVault

Best when you need an encrypted vault, check-ins, and named beneficiaries who claim access only after your rules are met.

DeadSender

People who want scheduled dead man's switch messages delivered by email or push when check-ins stop.

Feature comparison

Focus on the differences that matter for leave, check-in, waiting period, and claim.

FeatureHeirVaultDeadSender
Privacy and encryption
End-to-end (live vault)End-to-end (live vault)
Included
IncludedIncluded
IncludedIncluded
Shield onlyNot included
Timed release and people
IncludedIncluded
IncludedIncluded
IncludedIncluded
IncludedDelivery links
Delivery email
Pro and ShieldNot included
Vault controls
IncludedNot included
IncludedIncluded
IncludedNot included
25 / 100 / 250 MB; docs, images, media, ZIPIncluded
Product focus
IncludedMessage-focused
Not includedNot included
Not includedNot included

Sources

Last verified 2026-07-23

Why people choose HeirVault

  • Published attachment caps (25 to 250 MB) with docs, images, media, and ZIP
  • End-to-end encrypted live vault we cannot decrypt
  • Named beneficiary claim portal for designated content only
  • 14-day waiting period on Free and Pro (Shield can tune it from 3 to 14 days), plus optional witnesses
  • Email codes never unlock vault contents. Same encryption on Free, Pro, and Shield

When they may fit better

  • Simpler dead man's switch messaging workflows
  • Scheduled per-message delivery timing after trigger
  • Lower ceremony if you only need timed messages, not a full vault

Other products change. Every vendor page lists official sources and a last-verified date. Confirm details on each vendor site before you decide. We acknowledge competitor strengths where they fit a different job.

Common questions

DeadSender is built as a dead man's switch for timed message delivery. HeirVault is also a dead man's switch, built around docs, logins, bank details, and files with designated claims, a waiting period, and optional witnesses. Shield adds a duress passphrase with a decoy vault. Not only a single message blast timer.

Yes. Check-ins plus a waiting period are dead man's switch mechanics. HeirVault builds that around docs, logins, bank details, and files beneficiaries claim after release rules. It is not only a single-timer email blast tool.

No. Your live vault is protected by end-to-end encryption. It encrypts in your browser before upload, so HeirVault cannot decrypt it. HeirVault-assisted delivery stores a protected key for that beneficiary handoff only and transfers it to the beneficiary account after claim. That means assisted handoffs are not end-to-end to the beneficiary alone. Invite now and shared beneficiary passphrase delivery keep the handoff key off HeirVault servers.

A private vault to pass on what matters.

Set up HeirVault in minutes. Leave docs, logins, bank details, spreadsheets, will copies, and files for contacts you name. They claim when you can't. End-to-end encrypted.