This makes the tool flexible enough to do both on-the-fly file and volume encryption to keep specific files and data safe, or to encrypt entire systems so they’re only accessed by authorized users. VeraCrypt also supports full-disk encryption, including system disks. VeraCrypt supports AES, TwoFish, and Serpent encryption ciphers, and supports the creation of hidden, encrypted volumes within other volumes. It’s a fork of TrueCrypt, which melted down and ceased development back in 2014, but since then it’s been updated, improved its own security, and gotten a lot faster.

VeraCrypt: Free, open-source (mostly,) and cross-platform, VeraCrypt can handle almost anything you throw at it.

When I asked publicly what encryption tools people were using, Bitlocker made more than a few appearances. If you’re looking to encrypt specific data and not everything on your PC, that’s the way to go.

Bitlocker: Microsoft’s own baked-in encryption tool is very popular, partially because it’s effective and built-in to the OS you’re already using (assuming you’re using Windows 7 Ultimate or Enterprise, Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise, or Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise.) Bitlocker supports AES encryption, and while it’s primarily used for whole-disk encryption to lock down your entire computer and not just specific files, it also supports encrypting other volumes or a virtual drive that can be opened and accessed like any other drive on your computer.

Now, with that said, let’s take a look at our two big contenders: Don’t worry, if your favorite encryption app or platform isn’t included here, we’ll get to you soon. Should we consider two similar tools, or two of the most often-used tools? We opted for the latter in this case, and decided to focus on Windows, since-beyond it being the most popular OS in use-it lets us narrow our focus to the two big apps most people would actually choose from, even if there are tons of options with different features available. The ContendersĬhoosing two encryption tools for this comparison wasn’t easy.

We’ve covered the basics before, and even rounded up your favorite encryption tools, but today we’re putting two of the most popular options for Windows head to head to see which one is the best at keeping your sensitive data safe. When you really need to keep your files safe and secure, you need encryption.

Hasleo bitlocker anywhere key