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TimeBinder vs Bernstein: which suits your invention records?

Start with one file Any file type. Up to 10 files per TimeBind. Opens plans and pricing.

Clicking opens our plans and pricing page. Start on the Free plan there. Files are hashed locally on your computer; nothing is uploaded or stored by TimeBinder.

Bernstein is an IP platform with encrypted storage and version history. TimeBinder records file fingerprints on Bitcoin. Here’s a fair side-by-side.

Your files never leave your computer. With TimeBinder, each file is hashed locally on your own device. Nothing is uploaded or stored by TimeBinder.

TimeBinder vs Bernstein: the short answer

Bernstein is an intellectual-property platform, running since 2016, that stores your files encrypted, keeps a version history and anchors each version to Bitcoin. Its Scale and Enterprise plans add EU qualified and China trusted timestamps. Checked from Australia, its plans start at AU$74 a month for 1 registration credit, or AU$89 for a one-off credit. TimeBinder does one narrower job: it records your files’ SHA-256 fingerprints on Bitcoin without uploading the files. Its Free plan includes 1 Token a month for one Pooled TimeBind of up to 10 files, with no credit card required. If you need encrypted storage, version trails or EU qualified timestamps, Bernstein fits better. If you need a dated record of each file at a low, published price, TimeBinder probably fits better.

Published 30 October 2026. Sources and TimeBinder pricing checked on 30 October 2026.

What is TimeBinder? TimeBinder is a blockchain timestamping service. It shows that a digital file existed no later than a specific time, and that it still matches its fingerprint, by anchoring the file’s SHA-256 fingerprint to the Bitcoin blockchain. Files are hashed in your browser and never uploaded, and each TimeBind comes with a Proof of Time Certificate that can be checked later. It does not prove who created a file or that its contents are true.

TimeBinder vs Bernstein at a glance

	Bernstein (from its own site)	TimeBinder
What it is	An IP platform: “Encrypted storage”, “Version history”, project organisation	A timestamping service. Files are fingerprinted, not stored
Your files	“Encrypted locally in your browser before upload” and stored	Hash calculated on your device; files never uploaded or stored
Blockchain	Bitcoin	Bitcoin
Other timestamps	EU qualified, China trusted and RFC 3161 authorities on Scale and Enterprise	None
Files per record	Plans: “Up to 99 files per project”. Pay-as-you-go: “Max 10 files per project”	Up to 10 files per TimeBind, with no limit on size or type
Entry price	Pay-as-you-go AU$89 per credit (valid 1 year). Starter AU$74/month for 1 credit	Free plan $0 (1 Pooled TimeBind a month). Tokens from US$5. Essential US$20/month; Expert US$50/month
Unused credits or Tokens	“Unused credits roll over for up to 3 months”	Paid-plan Tokens roll over every month; bought Tokens never expire; the Free plan’s monthly Token doesn’t roll over
Checking later	“Independent verification”	ASAP: checked independently from the certificate and the Bitcoin blockchain. Pooled: checked through TimeBinder
Who runs it	IP LEVERAGED SAS, run from Strasbourg, France	TimeBinder, based in Brisbane, Australia

Where Bernstein is stronger

Storage and version history. Bernstein keeps an encrypted copy of each version and links them into a trail from first draft to final version. TimeBinder doesn’t store files, so keeping the originals is up to you.
EU qualified and China trusted timestamps. If your lawyer or a partner asks for those, Bernstein’s Scale and Enterprise plans include them. TimeBinder doesn’t offer them.
Larger projects. Its plans allow up to 99 files and 10 GB per project.
A team platform. Secure sharing, unlimited users on Enterprise, SSO and dashboards are built for organisations.

Where TimeBinder may suit you better

There is a Free plan. It includes 1 Token every month, enough for one Pooled TimeBind of up to 10 files. Bernstein’s pages show no free plan.
Your files never leave your device. Some inventors would rather not upload pre-filing material anywhere, even encrypted.
Smaller, published prices. One extra Token is US$5. An ASAP TimeBind, the independently checkable kind, costs 3 Tokens.
Steady use without a big plan. The /pricing/ guide says: “From 13 Tokens a month, Expert costs less than the other options, and unused Tokens roll over.” Expert is US$50 a month for 15 Tokens.
A plain choice between cost and independence:
– Pooled (1 Token): Your fingerprint is grouped with other users’ in one shared Bitcoin entry, usually recorded within 24 to 48 hours, and often sooner, depending on Bitcoin network activity. It’s checked through TimeBinder. The Free plan’s monthly Token covers one Pooled TimeBind.
– ASAP (3 Tokens): It gets its own Bitcoin transaction, sent straight away. It can be checked independently with the certificate and the Bitcoin blockchain, without relying on TimeBinder.

See the Pooled vs ASAP explainer and how TimeBinder works.

A timestamp is not a patent

Neither service files a patent or protects an invention by itself. In Australia, IP Australia’s advice before applying is: “Until you’ve put in a patent application, or decided on another option for your invention, keep it a secret.” It also says: “Don’t post your invention on social media, or anywhere on the internet”, and suggests you “talk only about the problem your invention solves, rather than your solution.”

A dated record of your notes, drawings and prototype photos can help you show what you had and when. It’s not a substitute for a patent attorney. Our invention records page covers what to timestamp.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, speak to a lawyer or patent attorney in your country.

What a TimeBind shows, and what it doesn’t

What it shows

That this exact file existed no later than the time recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain
That a file shown later still matches its fingerprint: the same file gives the same fingerprint, and any edit gives a different one
An independent record that anyone you allow can check, without relying on your own systems

What it doesn’t show

It doesn’t show who made a file, or who owns it.
It doesn’t show the contents are true or accurate, or whether AI was used.
It doesn’t stop anyone copying or changing a file. It shows whether a file still matches its fingerprint.
A Pooled TimeBind can’t be checked without TimeBinder.
It can’t say how a court, client, insurer or anyone else will treat it.

Pooled TimeBinds are verified through TimeBinder. ASAP TimeBinds can also be verified independently, from the certificate and the public Bitcoin blockchain. Checking is always free.

When TimeBinder isn’t the right tool

You want the provider to store your files and versions. Bernstein is built for that. TimeBinder isn’t.
You need EU qualified or China trusted timestamps. Bernstein’s Scale and Enterprise plans include them.
A team needs shared projects, SSO and dashboards. Bernstein’s Enterprise plan, or TimeBinder Enterprise if a timestamp record is all you need.
You need an RFC 3161 token for a specific process. See RFC 3161 vs a blockchain timestamp.
You need a patent. Talk to a patent attorney. A timestamp is a record, not a right.

TimeBinder pricing

Free: $0. The Free plan includes 1 Token every month (1 Pooled TimeBind). No credit card required. The Free plan’s monthly Token doesn’t roll over, so use it each month. A paid plan replaces the Free plan’s monthly Token.
Essential: $20 a month for 5 Tokens (5 Pooled, or 1 ASAP + 2 Pooled). Unused Tokens roll over every month. Cancel any time.
Expert: $50 a month for 15 Tokens.
Extra Tokens: 1 for $5, 3 for $15 or 9 for $40. Tokens you buy never expire.
Enterprise: custom Token limits and dedicated support. Service terms for every plan are set out in the TimeBinder Terms and Conditions.

All TimeBinder prices are in US dollars. Checking a TimeBind is free. Which plan do I need shows the maths.

TimeBinder vs Bernstein: FAQ

How much does Bernstein cost?

Checked from Australia on 30 October 2026, its pricing page showed Starter at AU$74 a month (1 credit), Scale at AU$169 a month (5 credits), Enterprise at AU$459 a month (30 credits) and pay-as-you-go at AU$89 per credit. Prices may show in another currency where you are.

Does Bernstein upload my files?

Yes, encrypted. Its site says files are “Encrypted locally in your browser before upload.” TimeBinder never uploads your files. Only the fingerprint is used.

Do both use Bitcoin?

Yes. Bernstein also offers EU qualified and China trusted timestamps on higher plans. TimeBinder uses Bitcoin only.

Which is better for an inventor?

If you want storage, version trails and qualified timestamps in one platform, Bernstein. If you want a low-cost dated record of each set of notes and drawings, TimeBinder. You can start with the free Pooled TimeBind and move to Expert if you use 13 or more Tokens a month.

Does a timestamp replace a patent application?

No. It’s a record of when files existed. IP Australia advises keeping an invention secret until you’ve applied for a patent or chosen another option.

Related guides

TimeBind your files

Before your next investor meeting or attorney call, start with a Pooled TimeBind: the Free plan includes 1 Token a month, and no credit card is required.

Open plans and pricing and choose a plan. The Free plan is $0.
Sign in, then add your files. They stay on your computer.
Seal them and download your Proof of Time certificates.

See plans and pricing →

Your files stay privateEvery file is hashed locally on your own computer. Your files are never uploaded or stored by TimeBinder; only a fingerprint is sealed to Bitcoin.

The Free plan includes 1 Token every month. See pricing