What are the best file encryption tools for Windows?

Question

WindowsSecurity & PrivacyEncryption Software

What are the best file encryption tools for Windows?

7

Options
Considered

30

User
Recs.

Jun 8, 2023

Last
Updated

7 Options Considered

Best file encryption tools for Windows	Price	Open Source	Platforms
-- GNU Privacy Guard	Free	Yes	-
-- Cryptomator	Free / paid	Yes	Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android
-- BitLocker	-	-	-
-- AxCrypt	Free / paid	-	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
-- 7-zip	-	-	-

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score 10 · Answer 1

GNU Privacy Guard

Top Pro

Supports multiple types of encryption algorithms

GPG supports public key cryptography (RSA EIGamal, DSA), symmetrical key algorithms (Blowfish, AES, IDEA, etc), cryptographic hash functions (RIPEMD, SHA), and compression (ZIP, ZLIB, BZIP2). See More

Specs

Open Source:Yes

Top Pro

Extensive selection of front-ends available

A good number of available frontends can be found here. See More

Top Pro

Supports volume and individual file encryption

With GPG you can encrypt you whole volume or files individually. See More

Top Pro

Supports paired keys

Allows for encrypted communication. See More

Top Pro

Supports expiring signatures

GPG keys by default expire after a set amount of time. The amount can be changed and this feature can be turned off. See More

See All

score 3 · Answer 2

Cryptomator

Top Con

Compatible with Android versions 4.3 and up only

Top Pro

Works with any cloud platform

Works with any cloud-based services, including Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, ownCloud, Nextcloud and any other cloud storage service which synchronizes with a local directory. See More

Specs

Platforms:Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android

Open Source:Yes

Technology:Java

Top Con

Android version is paid

Top Pro

Multi-platform

Available for Windows, Mac and Linux on desktop and iOS, Android for mobile. See More

Top Pro

Virtual hard drive file access

Drag and drop. See More

Top Pro

AES individual file encryption

Top Pro

Transparent encryption

Top Pro

Client-side

No accounts. No backdoors. See More

See All

score 2 · Answer 3

BitLocker

Top Pro

Native Windows support

It offers the best integration, ease of use and support with Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Microsoft's Windows Vista and Windows 7, and with the Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows 8. See More

Top Con

Proprietary

No public audits possible. Microsoft could want or be legally required to puts backdoors without users knowledge. See More

Top Pro

Volume-based encryption

BitLocker allows encrypting an entire volume including the OS. See More

Top Pro

Multiple authentication methods

You can use a combination of methods consisting of Trusted Platform Module, PIN, and a passphrase on a USB thumb stick. See More

See All

score 4 · Answer 4

AxCrypt

Top Pro

Once created, does not depend on other software

As long as you have the password or keyfile to your encrypted file then you can still access it. This is beneficial if the software ever becomes unsupported. See More

SpiritedMinthe's Experience

I'm paying each year for 256-bit encryption, I think it's worth it. See More

Specs

Platforms:Windows, Mac, Android, iOS

Top Pro

Quickly accessible from the right-click menu

AxCrypt integrates with the explorer menu allowing you to encrypt files quickly. See More

Top Pro

Free and open source

AxCrypt is free and open source. This is beneficial because anyone can examine the source code and check for errors. See More

See All

score 3 · Answer 5

7-zip

Top Pro

Archive container-based encryption

You can choose between archiving in a .zip container, that offers a choice between ZipCrypto and AES-256 encryption, or a .7z container that uses AES-256 and additionally offers the possibility of encrypting file names. See More

Top Con

The standard encyption method ZipCrypto is unsecure

Be sure to select AES encryption instead of the standard and much less secure ZipCrypto encryption. See More

Top Pro

Unobtrusive

No nag screen. See More

Top Pro

Explorer right-click menu integration

Makes it easy to open any archive file, or create new archives, without having to go open another program first. See More

Top Pro

Multi platform

7-zip runs on many different platforms, including: Windows Linux Mac OS X Solaris (NB: Only Windows and Posix/Linux are officially supported) See More

Top Pro

Free and open-source

7-Zip is licensed under GNU LGPL with the exception of 7z.dll which is licensed under GNU LGPL + unRAR restriction. Source code is available on SourceForge. See More

Top Pro

Lightweight

Starts quickly. See More

See All

score 2 · Answer 6

Kruptos 2 Professional for Windows

score 1 · Answer 7

NordLocker

FunnyTawrich's Experience

I was interested in keeping all my passwords and other sensitive information hidden long time ago, and the creators of NORD VPN gave a good chance to try their new product NORDLOCKER. I am a faithful user of NORD VPN and I’ve always had a great experience with their service, so I’m joining this NORD LOCKER club with a pleasure. I’ve already secured my files with an encryption, it works great on windows10. See More

7 Options Considered

My Recommendation for GNU Privacy Guard

My Recommendation for GNU Privacy Guard

Supports multiple types of encryption algorithms

Extensive selection of front-ends available

Supports volume and individual file encryption

Supports paired keys

Supports expiring signatures

My Recommendation for Cryptomator

My Recommendation for Cryptomator

Compatible with Android versions 4.3 and up only

Works with any cloud platform

Android version is paid

Multi-platform

Virtual hard drive file access

AES individual file encryption

Transparent encryption

Client-side

My Recommendation for BitLocker

My Recommendation for BitLocker

Native Windows support

Proprietary

Volume-based encryption

Multiple authentication methods

My Recommendation for AxCrypt

My Recommendation for AxCrypt

Once created, does not depend on other software

Quickly accessible from the right-click menu

Free and open source

My Recommendation for 7-zip

My Recommendation for 7-zip

Archive container-based encryption

The standard encyption method ZipCrypto is unsecure

Unobtrusive

Explorer right-click menu integration

Multi platform

Free and open-source

Lightweight

My Recommendation for Kruptos 2 Professional for Windows

My Recommendation for Kruptos 2 Professional for Windows

My Recommendation for NordLocker

My Recommendation for NordLocker

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