Best Tools to Encrypt Files in 2025: Features, Pros & ConsData privacy and security remain top priorities in 2025. With increasingly sophisticated threats and widespread remote work, encrypting files is an essential practice for individuals and organizations. This guide reviews leading file-encryption tools available in 2025, compares their core features, and lists pros and cons to help you choose the best option for your needs.
What to look for in a file encryption tool
Before diving into specific products, consider these key factors:
- Encryption strength and algorithms — Prefer tools using modern, audited algorithms (e.g., AES-256, ChaCha20, or X25519 for key exchange).
- Open source vs proprietary — Open-source tools allow public code inspection; proprietary tools may offer polished UIs and enterprise support.
- Ease of use — Tooling should fit your technical comfort level: GUIs and shell integration for non-experts, CLI and scripting APIs for power users.
- Cross-platform support — If you work across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, choose a solution that supports those platforms.
- Key management — Look for secure key storage, hardware token (YubiKey, smartcard) support, and multi-user key sharing where needed.
- Performance — Encryption speed affects usability for large files and backups.
- Integration — Compatibility with cloud storage, backup software, and enterprise identity systems (e.g., SSO, AD).
- Audits and reputation — Favor tools with independent security audits and active developer communities.
- Licensing and cost — Consider free/open-source options vs subscription licensing for advanced features and support.
Leading tools in 2025
1) VeraCrypt
Overview: A mature, open-source disk- and volume-encryption tool derived from TrueCrypt. Ideal for creating encrypted containers and full-disk encryption.
Key features:
- AES, Serpent, Twofish, and combinations; PBKDF2 and Argon2 for key derivation.
- Hidden volumes and plausible deniability.
- Cross-platform: Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Strong community support and regular updates.
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Open-source and well-reviewed | Not as user-friendly for beginners |
| Supports multiple strong algorithms | No native mobile clients |
| Hidden volumes for plausible deniability | Can be slower with certain configurations |
Best for: Users who need local encrypted containers or full-disk/partition encryption with strong control and are comfortable with a technical setup.
2) Cryptomator
Overview: Open-source client-side encryption designed for cloud storage. Encrypts files and filenames before upload.
Key features:
- Per-file encryption (avoids re-uploading entire vault after small edits).
- AES-256 for content; filename encryption to hide metadata.
- Desktop clients for Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile apps for iOS/Android.
- Integrates with Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and any cloud provider exposing a filesystem.
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Designed for cloud workflows with per-file encryption | Some advanced features behind paid “Pro” mobile versions |
| Open-source and audited | Not intended for full-disk encryption |
| Easy setup and cross-platform | Limited enterprise key management features |
Best for: Individuals and small teams who store files in the cloud and want transparent client-side encryption with minimal hassle.
3) Boxcryptor (or equivalent enterprise successor)
Overview: Historically popular for cloud encryption with business-focused features. As of 2025, expect enterprise successors or alternatives offering similar capabilities (zero-knowledge encryption, team key management, cloud provider integrations).
Key features:
- Zero-knowledge architecture with per-file encryption.
- Enterprise features: centralized key management, SSO, device controls, and audit logs.
- Desktop and mobile clients; integrates with major cloud storage providers.
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Enterprise-ready features like SSO and centralized management | Often subscription-based and can be expensive |
| Seamless cloud integrations | Not all code is open-source (varies by vendor) |
| Fine-grained access controls for teams | Dependence on vendor for updates/support |
Best for: Enterprises that need managed, audited client-side encryption across cloud platforms with centralized administration.
4) GnuPG (GPG)
Overview: The standard for open-source public-key cryptography; excellent for file encryption, signing, and secure key management.
Key features:
- OpenPGP-compatible; supports RSA, EdDSA, and modern curves.
- File encryption and signing via command line and GUI front-ends.
- Keyring management with support for subkeys and hardware tokens.
- Cross-platform (native on Linux, available on Windows/macOS).
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely flexible and well-audited | Steeper learning curve for non-technical users |
| Strong interoperability (email, files, scripts) | Per-file workflow can be less convenient for large sync scenarios |
| Supports hardware tokens and smartcards | UX varies by frontend; fragmentation across GUIs |
Best for: Technically-savvy users and organizations needing strong public-key workflows, signatures, and interoperability.
5) Age (and youthful ecosystem: rage, agecrypt, etc.)
Overview: A modern file-encryption tool designed for simplicity, speed, and secure defaults. Age uses contemporary crypto primitives and a compact CLI.
Key features:
- Uses X25519, ChaCha20-Poly1305, and modern KDFs.
- Simple, scriptable CLI with many third-party GUIs and integrations.
- Designed for easy use in pipelines and backups.
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Modern crypto with simple UX for power users | Newer ecosystem; fewer enterprise integrations |
| Fast and script-friendly | Smaller user base than GPG, fewer audited GUIs |
| Good for automated backups and pipelines | Not a full disk encryption solution |
Best for: Developers and sysadmins who want fast, modern, scriptable file encryption with secure defaults.
6) Microsoft BitLocker / Apple FileVault
Overview: Built-in full-disk encryption solutions for Windows (BitLocker) and macOS (FileVault). They protect entire volumes and boot disks.
Key features:
- Full-disk encryption with hardware integration (TPM on Windows; Secure Enclave on Apple Silicon).
- Transparent to users once unlocked; OS-managed keys and recovery options.
- Enterprise management via Active Directory, Intune, or MDM.
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Integrated into OS with minimal user friction | Tied to OS ecosystems and vendor policies |
| Supports hardware-backed keys and remote management | Does not provide cross-platform encrypted file containers |
| Good performance with hardware support | Recovery key management can be a single point of failure if mishandled |
Best for: Laptop and desktop encryption in single-OS environments or managed fleets.
7) Box-level, KMIP, and HSM-backed enterprise key managers
Overview: For large organizations, centralized key management (KMIP servers), hardware security modules (HSMs), and cloud KMS (AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, Google Cloud KMS) offer enterprise-grade control of encryption keys.
Key features:
- Centralized key lifecycle management, rotation, and auditing.
- HSM-backed key protection and FIPS certifications.
- Integrations with databases, storage systems, and encryption libraries.
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Enterprise-grade security, compliance, and auditability | Costly and requires dedicated ops to manage |
| Hardware-backed keys and certified modules | Complexity and vendor lock-in risks |
| Supports organization-wide encryption policies | Not a direct file-encryption product — used with other tools |
Best for: Enterprises with compliance needs, high-value assets, and the operational capacity to manage keys centrally.
Comparison table: quick overview
| Tool / Category | Primary use | Open-source | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VeraCrypt | Encrypted containers / full-disk | Yes | Win/macOS/Linux | Local containers, full-disk |
| Cryptomator | Cloud file encryption (per-file) | Yes | Win/macOS/Linux/iOS/Android | Cloud sync encryption |
| Boxcryptor-style (enterprise) | Cloud + team management | Varies | Win/macOS/Linux/iOS/Android | Enterprises |
| GnuPG (GPG) | Public-key file encryption & signing | Yes | Win/macOS/Linux | Email, signed files, key workflows |
| Age & ecosystem | Modern file encryption CLI | Yes | Win/macOS/Linux | Devs, backups, pipelines |
| BitLocker / FileVault | Full-disk encryption | No (OS feature) | Windows / macOS | Workstations, corporate fleets |
| KMS / HSM | Centralized key management | Varies | Cloud / On-prem | Large orgs, compliance |
Practical recommendations — pick by scenario
- Personal cloud backup: Cryptomator (per-file encryption) or age for scripted backups.
- Laptop full-disk protection: BitLocker (Windows) or FileVault (macOS).
- Encrypted file exchange and signatures: GPG for interoperability.
- Encrypted containers and plausible deniability: VeraCrypt.
- Developer/backup automation: age (CLI) or rage for recursive encryption.
- Enterprise cloud + team sharing: Boxcryptor-style managed solution or cloud KMS + integration.
Quick setup examples
-
Cryptomator: create a vault, mount it as a virtual drive, move files into the vault; configure your cloud sync folder to include the vault directory.
-
age (CLI):
# encrypt age -o secret.txt.age -r RECIPIENT_PUBLIC_KEY secret.txt # decrypt age -d -o secret.txt secret.txt.age -
GPG encrypt:
# encrypt for recipient gpg --output secret.gpg --encrypt --recipient [email protected] secret.txt # decrypt gpg --decrypt --output secret.txt secret.gpg
Security best practices
- Use strong, unique passphrases and consider hardware tokens for key protection.
- Keep software updated; prefer audited tools.
- Back up recovery keys and store them securely (offline or in a sealed envelope for personal use; secure vault for enterprises).
- Combine solutions appropriately: full-disk encryption for device protection plus client-side file encryption for cloud privacy.
- Regularly rotate keys where possible and maintain an auditable key lifecycle for organizations.
Final thought
No single tool fits every situation. Choose based on your platform, workflow (local vs cloud), user skill level, and compliance needs. For most users in 2025: combine built-in OS disk encryption for device protection with client-side file encryption (Cryptomator, age, or GPG) for cloud storage and sensitive file sharing.
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