{
  "id": 14686812,
  "title": "I Got Tired of “Free Tools” That Upload My Files — So I Built Browser-Only Ones",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/i-got-tired-of-free-tools-that-upload-my-files-so-i-built-browser",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-15T11:57:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/ameenusman/i-got-tired-of-free-tools-that-upload-my-files-so-i-built-browser-only-ones-4b3p"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Many online utilities ask you to share your files or photos, often without disclosing that your data may leave your device. For sensitive information like JSON with client data, a JSON Web Token, a draft you haven't published yet, or even a passport photo, this is a risky exchange. That's why I created KeptTools – a collection of developer and image tools that run directly in your browser. No account is required, and there's no need to upload files for processing.\n\nWhen you visit a KeptTools page, everything happens on the page itself using JavaScript. You can format, convert, crop, or decode your content without creating an account, and closing the tab will end the session – your files won't be stored on our servers.\n\nSome tools download a small model the first time you use them, such as for portrait background replacement. This download is the model, not your photo.\n\nThese tools are designed for developers and image manipulation. Some of the features include:\n- JSON formatter and validator\n- JSON converter (CSV, Laravel, TypeScript, PHP, etc.)\n- SQL formatter\n- JWT decoder\n- Base64, hash, URL/HTML encoding\n- Regex testing\n- Cron generator\n- UUID and slug generation\n- Image tools (PNG/JPG to WebP, compressing, cropping, converting to SVG, changing backgrounds)\n- Text utilities (word counter, case converters)\nAnd more on the site.\n\nI rely on these tools regularly, and I don't want any random website to keep a copy of my token, JSON data, or even an ID photo. Privacy shouldn't be a premium feature for basic tools.\n\nThe stack behind these tools is short: Laravel + Vite + Tailwind + Alpine. The tools are client-side whenever possible.\n\nI'm interested in your feedback on the browser-only / no upload approach. Is it a strong enough reason for you to switch to these tools? Which one would you try first when you land on the homepage? What features are missing that would make you leave? If something isn't clear, let me know, as I'm iterating based on real user experiences. You can find KeptTools at https://kepttools.com.",
  "summary": "Most “free online tools” ask you to paste text or upload a photo. What they don’t always make clear: that content often leaves your device. For JSON with client data, a JWT, a draft you’re not ready to publish, or a passport-style photo — that’s a bad trade. So I built KeptTools : a small set of developer and image tools that run in the browser. No account. No “upload to process.” 👉…",
  "key_points": [
    "KeptTools offers browser-only developer and image tools without file uploads.",
    "No account required, files deleted when tab closed, ensuring privacy.",
    "Features include JSON formatting, JWT decoding, image compression, and more."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}