What is the best free file encryption software?

VeraCrypt is free and open source for disks and encrypted volumes, and Cryptomator is free for personal use on desktop for files in cloud folders. Pick by what you need to protect.

Which file encryption tools are open source?

VeraCrypt (Apache 2.0 and TrueCrypt License 3.0), Cryptomator (GPL-3.0), GnuPG (GPL-3.0), age (BSD-3-Clause) and 7-Zip (LGPL and BSD) publish open-source code. AxCrypt publishes only part of its desktop code.

Is 7-Zip good for encrypting files?

7-Zip encrypts 7z and ZIP archives with AES-256, which protects a set of files with one password. Its download page lists Windows builds only, and it works on archives rather than a live encrypted vault.

Which tool encrypts files for email?

GnuPG implements OpenPGP for encrypting and signing email and files, and Mailfence and Runbox offer OpenPGP in the browser. Setup means managing keys, so expect some learning.

Best File Encryption Software in 2026: Top 10 Ranked

The ranking

Top pickVeraCrypt92.5
Best with a free planCryptomator91.0
Best open sourceGnuPG88.5

1
VeraCrypt
Free, open-source encryption for whole disks and encrypted volumes on Windows, macOS and Linux, with PGP-signed installers. It is disk-focused, so it is less convenient than Cryptomator for files in cloud folders.
Best for Encrypted disks and volumes on desktops
WindowsmacOSLinuxFree and open sourceOpen source
92.5of 100
Visit Alternatives
2
Cryptomator
Encrypts files before they reach Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive, under GPL-3.0, with free desktop use for personal users. Mobile apps need a paid upgrade, and the free mobile versions are read-only.
Best for Encrypting files in cloud storage folders
WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSFree plan, paid upgradesOpen source
91.0of 100
Visit Alternatives
3
GnuPG
The main free OpenPGP implementation, under GPL-3.0, for files and email on Windows, macOS and Linux. Setup is technical, and most use needs the command line or a front end such as Gpg4win.
Best for OpenPGP encryption for files and email
WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand lineFree and open sourceOpen source
88.5of 100
Visit Alternatives
4
age
A small, scriptable file encryption tool under BSD-3-Clause, with a Go library and installs for macOS, Linux and Windows. It is command-line only, so it suits developers rather than everyday users.
Best for Scripted file encryption from the command line
WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand lineFree and open sourceOpen source
87.0of 100
Visit Alternatives
5
gocryptfs
Encrypts each file as its own encrypted file inside a mountable folder, so encrypted data syncs with Dropbox or rsync. It is MIT licensed and command-line driven, with Linux fully supported and macOS in beta.
Best for Developers who sync encrypted folders from a terminal
LinuxCommand lineFree and open sourceOpen source
86.5of 100
Visit Alternatives
6
BitLocker
Built-in full-disk encryption at no extra cost on Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education. It covers the system and fixed drives but not USB drives, and its source is not published.
Best for Windows Pro users who want built-in disk encryption
WindowsFree
84.0of 100
Visit Alternatives
7
AxCrypt
Encrypts single files with AES-256 across desktop and mobile, with a free plan for two encryptions a month. Only part of its code is published, and full use needs a paid Premium plan.
Best for Encrypting single files with a small free plan
WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSFree plan, paid upgrades
83.5of 100
Visit Alternatives
8
FileVault
Built-in macOS disk encryption that Apple turns on automatically on Apple silicon and T2 Macs. It protects the startup disk rather than single files, and it comes with macOS at no extra cost.
Best for Mac users who want the startup disk encrypted
macOSFree
83.0of 100
Visit Alternatives
9
7-Zip
Free, open-source archiver with AES-256 encryption for 7z and ZIP files, plus a command-line version. It is listed for Windows only and protects archives rather than a live vault.
Best for Password-protected archives on Windows
WindowsFree and open sourceOpen source
81.0of 100
Visit Alternatives
10
Picocrypt
A GPL-3.0 tool for Windows, macOS and Linux that encrypts files and folders, with downloads linked from its GitHub repository. Its README warns about a fake website that posed as the official one, so use the repository link.
Best for Users who want an open-source desktop encryption app
WindowsmacOSLinuxFree and open sourceOpen source
79.5of 100
Visit Alternatives

At a glance

Product	Score	Price	Platforms	Protects	Interface
VeraCrypt	92.5	Free and open source	WindowsmacOSLinux	Whole disks and encrypted volumes	Graphical app
Cryptomator	91.0	Free plan, paid upgrades	WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS	Files in cloud storage folders	Graphical app
GnuPG	88.5	Free and open source	WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line	Files and email (OpenPGP)	Command line, GUI via Gpg4win
age	87.0	Free and open source	WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line	Files, scriptable	Command line
gocryptfs	86.5	Free and open source	LinuxCommand line	Folders, one encrypted file per file	Command line
BitLocker	84.0	Free	Windows	System and fixed drives	Windows settings
AxCrypt	83.5	Free plan, paid upgrades	WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS	Individual files	Graphical app
FileVault	83.0	Free	macOS	Startup disk	macOS settings
7-Zip	81.0	Free and open source	Windows	Archives in 7z and ZIP	Graphical app and command line
Picocrypt	79.5	Free and open source	WindowsmacOSLinux	Files and folders	Desktop GUI; command line also described

How to choose file encryption software

What you protect: Whole disks and volumes suit VeraCrypt, BitLocker and FileVault; files in cloud folders suit Cryptomator; single files and archives suit AxCrypt or 7-Zip.
Open source: VeraCrypt, Cryptomator, GnuPG, age and 7-Zip publish their source; AxCrypt publishes only part of its desktop code.
Command line or app: GnuPG and age are command-line tools at heart, while VeraCrypt, Cryptomator and AxCrypt are graphical apps.
Platforms: 7-Zip is listed for Windows only, while Cryptomator and AxCrypt also cover Android and iOS.

What the scores weigh

Strength and design of encryption
Open source and license
Kind of data protected
Platform and interface
Free plan and price

Scores are editorial, from 0 to 100, and use these criteria. Full method · Disclosure

About file encryption software

File encryption software protects data in three ways: whole disks and encrypted volumes, files stored in cloud folders, and single files or archives that you encrypt when you need to. VeraCrypt handles disks and volumes, Cryptomator protects files in cloud storage folders, and AxCrypt and 7-Zip encrypt individual files and archives.

Command-line tools suit scripts and developers. GnuPG implements OpenPGP for files and email, and age is a small tool with no configuration options. Both are free software and need more setup than the graphical apps in this list. Most tools here are free to use, but AxCrypt's full use and Cryptomator's mobile apps need paid upgrades.

Open source is a strong signal here because these tools handle secrets. VeraCrypt, Cryptomator, GnuPG, age, 7-Zip, gocryptfs and Picocrypt publish open-source code under licenses named on their sites or repositories. AxCrypt publishes only part of its desktop code. The scores are editorial judgments against the criteria, not audit results.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free file encryption software?: VeraCrypt is free and open source for disks and encrypted volumes, and Cryptomator is free for personal use on desktop for files in cloud folders. Pick by what you need to protect.
Which file encryption tools are open source?: VeraCrypt (Apache 2.0 and TrueCrypt License 3.0), Cryptomator (GPL-3.0), GnuPG (GPL-3.0), age (BSD-3-Clause) and 7-Zip (LGPL and BSD) publish open-source code. AxCrypt publishes only part of its desktop code.
Is 7-Zip good for encrypting files?: 7-Zip encrypts 7z and ZIP archives with AES-256, which protects a set of files with one password. Its download page lists Windows builds only, and it works on archives rather than a live encrypted vault.
Which tool encrypts files for email?: GnuPG implements OpenPGP for encrypting and signing email and files, and Mailfence and Runbox offer OpenPGP in the browser. Setup means managing keys, so expect some learning.