Best Free Encryption Software For Mac

Posted on |

MEO File Encryption Software Encrypt and decrypt files and keep your data secure. MEO is easy file encryption software for Mac or Windows that will encrypt or decrypt files of any type. Protect sensitive data against unauthorized viewers with the latest data encryption technologies to keep your important documents safe and secure. Here is how to pick the best free encryption software that will help secure yourself against getting hacked and protect your privacy. Easy guide to encrypt your data. Encryption software for mac free download - MEO Free File Encryption for Mac, WinZip Mac, Avast Free Mac Security, and many more programs.

Best Free Encryption Software For Mac Os X

This list consists of Alternatives to BitLocker software which works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. They have similar features, easy to use and most importantly is free. Well, the Bitlocker, Microsoft’s in-house encryption tool, is quite popular. It is an effective tool that mainly provides full disk encryption by using the AES encryption algorithm. Unfortunately, Microsoft does not provide BitLocker to its Home users. The Bitlocker is available only in Pro version and above of Windows 10.

To our relief, there are other alternatives to BitLocker that can be used for disk encryptions. Let us go through some of the alternates available in the market for disk protection.

VeraCrypt

But don’t worry for we have sorted out the top 12 best file encryption software for you in this article, which can save your time and energy of finding out the most suitable file encryption software for Windows and Mac computer. The following is a general introduction and review on these 12 free file encryption software.

First of all, VeraCrypt is free. If you looking for a good alternative to BitLocker for free, VeraCrypt might be your savior.

  • It offers a wide range of features including full-disk or partial encryption, creation of encrypted virtual disk, etc. Some advanced features of the tool also allow the user hidden OS encryption. In a nutshell, the software offers encryption of whole disks, partitions, files, removable media, and logical volumes.
  • When it comes to encryption algorithms, the software supports the popular AES one. It also uses some strong algorithm like Camellia and Twofish. SHA-256 and RIPEMD-160 are the options for hash algorithms.

Type: Open-Source

System Support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD

Windows Device Encryption

Windows 10 Home version does not provide BitLocker does not mean that it does not provide protection.

  • Some of them do support device encryption. To enable that, you need to activate TPM and UEFI and the PC should support active-standby mode.
  • Now, you might be unsure whether your machine supports these features or not. In that case, you can try to just enable the encryption mode. Go to Settings -> Update and Security. If your device supports encryption, you will find the option in the bottom of the left pane. Select the option and click on the Turn on button. Your system is encrypted now.

You can turn on device encryption on Windows 10, learn how to do it here.

DiskCryptor

DiskCryptor can be another good alternative to BitLocker. It is user-friendly and easy to use. It is lightweight and doesn’t impact on system performance.

  • It provides full disk encryption, encryption to partitions and software RAID as well.
  • The software uses various encryption algorithms like AES, Twofish, Serpent, AES-Twofish, etc.
  • It gives the user an opportunity to choose the encryption algorithm, mount and unmount option. The progress of the encryption process is shown under the “Action” tab so that the user can track the process.

System Support: Windows 10

GNU Privacy Guard

GNU Privacy Guard is open-source encryption software that uses the command-line interface. This software works on both Windows 10 and OS X.

This software uses a wide range of encryption algorithm including:

  • symmetrical key algorithms (Blowfish, AES, IDEA, etc)
  • public-key cryptography (RSA EIGamal, DSA)
  • cryptographic hash functions (RIPEMD, SHA)
  • compression (ZIP, ZLIB, BZIP2)
Best Free Encryption Software For Mac
  • Like other encryption software, GNU provides full disk protection as well as protection of partitions and individual files.
  • There is a specific time after which the GPG key gets expired. But the good news is, this feature can be turned off or set to a different number as per the user’s convenience.
  • GNU Privacy Guard is a convenient and great free software that can provide solid protection to the system. The only limitation of this software is the use of the command line. There is no proper GUI to use the software. You need to have knowledge of command line to use GNU Privacy Guard.

Type: Free Software

System Support: Windows, OS X, Debian, ANdroid

AxCrypt

  • AxCrypt basically provides file-based encryption. It encrypts each file that requires protection. The free version of the software offers 128-bit encryption while the premium version provides 256-bit encryption.
  • You can extract a file that is encrypted with AxCrypt even if your system does not have the software installed. You just require the password and you are good to go.
  • Finally, the tool is easy to use and user-friendly.

Type: Free and Paid

System Support: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Cryptomator

Another open-source encryption tool that is free is Cryptomator. This tool is also compatible with both Windows 10 and Mac OS.

  • The tool provides client-side encryption. Additionally, you also get transparent encryption without any backdoors. The tool uses file-based encryption with the help of AES algorithm. Cryptomator ensures the protection of your data on any server or cloud storage.
  • Cryptomator encrypts the names of the files and directories as well. The structure of the directories become obscured for anyone other than you.
  • Though the tool is a good option for protecting your data, there is a known limitation. Sometimes, users are unable to delete the Cryptomator files. Currently, no solution has been provided for this issue. Developers are working on it.

Type: Free

System Support: Windows 10, 8 and Windows 7 with SP 1

Mac

CipherShed

CipherShed is completely free encryption software that provides protection to files as well as drives. This tool comes with a lot of features that TrueCrypt had.

  • The tool offers transparent encryption. The encrypted files that get mounted through the software are easy to store anywhere and can be accessed whenever required. The encrypted files are easy to transfer.
  • Finally, the encrypted drives can be transferred from Windows to Mac OS and vice versa. If tight on budget, you can give it a try.

Type: Free

AES Crypt

AES Crypt is a good option to protect your important files. This tool uses 256-bit encryption and AES encryption algorithm.

  • This software can be used by anyone and everyone. All you need to do is right-click on the file you need to protect and right-click on it. Select the Encrypt option and provide a password. Your file is protected. Same way, you just need to right-click on the encrypted file and provide the correct password to get the original information.
  • The best part of the tool is that it does not add any extension to the file name. Sometimes, you may find it a bit slower compared to the other encryption tools. Finally, you need to remember the password you use for encryption as there is no way to restore the password once you forget it.

System Support: Windows 32 and 64 bit, Apple, Android, Linux

Best Pgp Software For Mac

Sophos Safeguard

  • The most interesting fact about Sophos Safeguard is that it not only uses it own encryption methods but also stores BitLocker and MAC encryption tool in the interface.
  • With the help of HTTPS, the software lets the external users connect to the server. Users with the access to the server thus get to see what rea the files they can open.
  • The tool offers a feature called key group which allows a certain group of users the access of certain documents.
  • Threat detection is strict in this tool. Once a threat is detected, all encryption keys get deleted from the keyring until the threat is processed.

Sophos Safeguard is a strong protection option for your system with all the options to encrypt whole disk and partitions.

Mac

Best Free File Encryption Software

Type: Free to Use for 30 days

Jetico BestCrypt Volume Encryption

If you are not hesitant to pay for your computer protection, JeticoBestCrypt Volume Encryption can be a great choice. It is one of the best-paid alternatives to BitLocker.

  • It basically takes care of all the areas of Windows data encryption.
  • It offers maximum security to your system while supporting various encryption algorithms like AES, Serpent, Twofish.
  • JeticoBestCrypt allows its users to see the encrypted states of all mounted, partitioned and full disks from a single screen.
  • The best part of the software is that all types of volumes including RAID can be controlled from a single login password with the help of two-factor authentication.
  • Pre-boot authentication is also enabled.

Though it comes with a price tag, it provides you the ultimate protection you are looking for.

System Support: Windows, Mac, and Linux

By now, it is clear that if you are a Home user and don’t intend to upgrade to ‘pro or Enterprise, there is nothing to worry about. There are plenty of good alternatives to BitLocker available in the market. Based on your budget and the kind of encryption you require, you are free to choose from some good and powerful encryption tools available right now.