HTMLRadar · Compare
The open-source DocSend alternative built for HTML.
DocSend is the category leader for document tracking. We built HTMLRadar because DocSend is closed-source, PDF-only, and bills per seat. If those three things matter to you, this comparison matters. If they don't, DocSend is fine.
The headline difference
HTMLRadar
HTML-first, open source, $15/mo flat.
Track HTML decks from Pitch.com, Tome, Gamma, or hand-rolled HTML. Self-host the whole thing or use the hosted plan. AGPLv3.
DocSend
PDF-first, closed source, $15-45 per seat.
Decade-old category leader, polished UX, deep enterprise feature set. Owned by Dropbox. If your team is on a Dropbox Business plan already, DocSend is included.
Feature by feature
| Feature | HTMLRadar | DocSend |
|---|---|---|
| Source format | HTML (upload or URL) | PDF only |
| Open source | AGPL-3.0 | No |
| Self-hosting | Full self-host supported | No |
| Per-recipient share links | Yes | Yes |
| Section-level dwell tracking | Yes | Scroll depth only |
| Real-time read notifications | Email on first dwell threshold | Email on open |
| Password gating | Yes | Yes |
| Email gating | Yes | Yes |
| Domain allow-list | Yes | Enterprise only |
| Custom share domain | Pro tier ($15/mo) | Enterprise tier |
| Pricing model | $15/mo flat OR free self-host | $15-$45 per seat per month |
| Free tier | 10 documents lifetime, unlimited reads | 14-day trial |
| API for programmatic shares | Polar webhook flow | Enterprise API |
| Privacy: no third-party tracking on viewer side | Yes | No |
| License audit (you can read the tracker code) | Yes | No |
When DocSend is the right choice
- Your team is on Dropbox Business. DocSend is bundled; effective cost approaches zero.
- You only send PDFs and have no intent to switch to HTML decks.
- You need enterprise features like virtual data rooms, eSignature integration, or SSO. HTMLRadar v1.0 doesn't have these; v1.x is a backlog item.
- You prefer not to think about open source licensing or self-hosting at all. Fair.
When HTMLRadar is the right choice
- You send HTML decks (Pitch.com exports, Tome, Gamma, hand-rolled) and don't want to PDFify them just to track.
- You bill per-seat allergies. $15/mo flat scales with usage, not headcount.
- You self-host because the tracker code reading rights, the data-locality rights, or the no-vendor-dependence rights matter to your business.
- You're an indie founder or small team where DocSend's lowest plan ($15/seat for three seats = $45/mo) is more than the flat rate.
- You want section-level dwell time, not just scroll depth. Knowing the recipient spent 4 minutes on the Ask slide is materially different from knowing they scrolled to 80%.
Migrating from DocSend
DocSend exports your existing tracked PDFs via their UI. We don't import them directly because the formats differ. For new HTML decks you create after switching, the flow is: export your deck as HTML (Pitch.com → File → Export HTML; or hand-write), upload to HTMLRadar, create per-recipient share links. The same tracking happens, on a different file type.
If you need help with the cutover, email hello@htmlradar.com and we'll walk through it. Free.
Common questions
- Is HTMLRadar a free DocSend alternative?
- The hosted free tier covers your first 10 documents with unlimited shares and full section-level analytics. Past that it is $15/mo flat — or self-host the AGPL-3.0 source for free on your own infrastructure.
- Does HTMLRadar track PDFs like DocSend does?
- HTMLRadar is HTML-first. PDFs, spreadsheets, and ZIPs ride along as attachments under the same tracked link, with every download logged per recipient — but section-level dwell tracking is for HTML documents.
- Can I self-host HTMLRadar?
- Yes. The full source is AGPL-3.0 on GitHub and runs on your own Cloudflare and Supabase accounts. The repo includes a 15-minute self-hosting guide.
First 10 documents free. No credit card. AGPLv3 source on GitHub.