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Top 10 Best Database Encryption Software of 2026

Find the top database encryption software to protect your data. Compare features & pick the best option today.

Rajesh Patel

Rajesh Patel

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
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In an era where data breaches and compliance demands are more critical than ever, database encryption software is indispensable for safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access and ensuring regulatory adherence. With a diverse array of tools—from agentless solutions to built-in features—this curated list caters to varied environments, workloads, and security priorities.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: CipherTrust Transparent Encryption - Provides agentless, transparent encryption for databases across multiple platforms like SQL Server, Oracle, and PostgreSQL without application modifications.
  2. 2#2: Protegrity Data Protection - Offers fine-grained encryption, tokenization, and dynamic data masking for databases to protect sensitive data in multi-cloud environments.
  3. 3#3: IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption - Delivers high-performance transparent encryption for heterogeneous databases with centralized key management and compliance reporting.
  4. 4#4: Voltage SecureData - Enables format-preserving encryption and secure data exchange for databases, minimizing application changes while ensuring privacy.
  5. 5#5: Symantec Database Encryption - Provides transparent data encryption for Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, and MySQL with low performance overhead and robust key management.
  6. 6#6: Oracle Transparent Data Encryption - Built-in feature for encrypting Oracle database tablespaces, backups, and data at rest transparently to applications.
  7. 7#7: SQL Server Transparent Data Encryption - Encrypts entire SQL Server databases and log files at rest with automatic key management via Azure Key Vault integration.
  8. 8#8: MySQL Enterprise Transparent Data Encryption - Supports transparent encryption of InnoDB tablespaces using external keyring services for MySQL databases.
  9. 9#9: Baffle Data Security - Delivers data-centric encryption and tokenization for relational, NoSQL, and big data environments without query rewrites.
  10. 10#10: PK Protect - Provides persistent file and database encryption with automated data discovery and classification for compliance.

These tools were selected and ranked based on encryption efficacy (e.g., transparent protection, format preservation), cross-environment compatibility, ease of implementation, and practical value, ensuring a balance of technical excellence and real-world usability.

Comparison Table

This comparison table highlights leading database encryption tools, such as CipherTrust Transparent Encryption, Protegrity Data Protection, IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption, Voltage SecureData, and Symantec Database Encryption, offering a side-by-side look at key features. Readers will gain insights into scalability, compatibility, and ease of use, enabling informed decisions to select the best solution for securing sensitive database information.

Provides agentless, transparent encryption for databases across multiple platforms like SQL Server, Oracle, and PostgreSQL without application modifications.

Features
9.9/10
Ease
8.4/10
Value
9.1/10

Offers fine-grained encryption, tokenization, and dynamic data masking for databases to protect sensitive data in multi-cloud environments.

Features
9.6/10
Ease
7.9/10
Value
8.7/10

Delivers high-performance transparent encryption for heterogeneous databases with centralized key management and compliance reporting.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
7.8/10
Value
8.1/10

Enables format-preserving encryption and secure data exchange for databases, minimizing application changes while ensuring privacy.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
7.8/10
Value
8.1/10

Provides transparent data encryption for Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, and MySQL with low performance overhead and robust key management.

Features
8.8/10
Ease
7.5/10
Value
7.6/10

Built-in feature for encrypting Oracle database tablespaces, backups, and data at rest transparently to applications.

Features
8.8/10
Ease
7.5/10
Value
7.0/10

Encrypts entire SQL Server databases and log files at rest with automatic key management via Azure Key Vault integration.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
7.8/10
Value
7.5/10

Supports transparent encryption of InnoDB tablespaces using external keyring services for MySQL databases.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
7.5/10
Value
8.0/10

Delivers data-centric encryption and tokenization for relational, NoSQL, and big data environments without query rewrites.

Features
8.7/10
Ease
7.5/10
Value
7.9/10
10PK Protect logo7.6/10

Provides persistent file and database encryption with automated data discovery and classification for compliance.

Features
8.2/10
Ease
6.8/10
Value
7.1/10
1
CipherTrust Transparent Encryption logo

CipherTrust Transparent Encryption

enterprise

Provides agentless, transparent encryption for databases across multiple platforms like SQL Server, Oracle, and PostgreSQL without application modifications.

Overall Rating9.7/10
Features
9.9/10
Ease of Use
8.4/10
Value
9.1/10
Standout Feature

Proxy-optional transparent encryption that isolates encryption keys from DBAs while enabling granular, role-based data access controls

CipherTrust Transparent Encryption (CTE) by Thales is a premier database encryption solution that secures sensitive data at rest across major databases like Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and DB2 without requiring application code changes or data migration. It delivers field-level and table-level encryption, granular access controls, and centralized key management to ensure compliance with standards such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR. CTE minimizes performance impact through efficient proxy or agent-based architectures while supporting multi-tenancy and dynamic data masking.

Pros

  • Extensive support for 20+ databases with field-level encryption and no app modifications needed
  • Ultra-low performance overhead (<5% typically) and scalable for enterprise workloads
  • Robust key management with HSM integration, BYOK, and separation of duties for compliance

Cons

  • Complex initial deployment requiring expertise in network and agent configuration
  • Premium pricing that may be prohibitive for small organizations
  • Limited on-premises flexibility without additional modules for hybrid/cloud setups

Best For

Large enterprises with mission-critical databases needing transparent, high-performance encryption for strict regulatory compliance.

Pricing

Quote-based enterprise licensing, typically starting at $50,000+ annually based on data volume, databases, and support level.

2
Protegrity Data Protection logo

Protegrity Data Protection

enterprise

Offers fine-grained encryption, tokenization, and dynamic data masking for databases to protect sensitive data in multi-cloud environments.

Overall Rating9.2/10
Features
9.6/10
Ease of Use
7.9/10
Value
8.7/10
Standout Feature

Transparent Data Protection Proxy that intercepts and secures database traffic seamlessly without application code changes

Protegrity Data Protection is an enterprise-grade data security platform specializing in database encryption, tokenization, and dynamic masking to safeguard sensitive data across heterogeneous environments. It supports a wide range of databases including Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and big data platforms, enabling protection at rest, in transit, and in use without significant application changes via its transparent proxy architecture. The solution ensures compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and other regulations through granular controls and audit capabilities.

Pros

  • Broad database compatibility and support for hybrid/multi-cloud deployments
  • Advanced techniques like format-preserving encryption and dynamic masking for zero-trust data protection
  • High-performance proxy architecture with minimal latency impact

Cons

  • Complex deployment requiring skilled administrators and thorough planning
  • Enterprise pricing may be prohibitive for small to mid-sized organizations
  • Steep learning curve for full utilization of advanced features

Best For

Large enterprises with diverse database ecosystems needing scalable, compliance-focused encryption without refactoring applications.

Pricing

Custom enterprise licensing; subscription or perpetual models starting at $50K+ annually, based on data volume and features—contact sales for quotes.

3
IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption logo

IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption

enterprise

Delivers high-performance transparent encryption for heterogeneous databases with centralized key management and compliance reporting.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
7.8/10
Value
8.1/10
Standout Feature

Transparent database encryption that operates without application modifications or performance degradation

IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption is an enterprise-grade solution designed to protect sensitive data at rest across databases, files, and big data environments. It offers transparent encryption without requiring application code changes, supporting major databases like Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, and Hadoop. Key features include centralized key management, compliance reporting for standards like PCI DSS and GDPR, and integration with the broader IBM Guardium security platform for unified data protection.

Pros

  • Robust support for heterogeneous database environments with transparent encryption
  • Advanced centralized key lifecycle management and FIPS 140-2 compliance
  • Seamless integration with IBM Guardium for monitoring and auditing

Cons

  • Complex initial deployment and configuration requiring expert knowledge
  • High licensing costs unsuitable for small organizations
  • Limited flexibility for non-IBM ecosystems without additional customization

Best For

Large enterprises with complex, multi-database environments seeking scalable encryption and strong compliance capabilities.

Pricing

Enterprise licensing model; custom quotes typically start at $50,000+ annually based on data volume and features.

4
Voltage SecureData logo

Voltage SecureData

enterprise

Enables format-preserving encryption and secure data exchange for databases, minimizing application changes while ensuring privacy.

Overall Rating8.6/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
7.8/10
Value
8.1/10
Standout Feature

Format-Preserving Encryption (FPE) that encrypts data while keeping its original format, format, and referential integrity for seamless database operations.

Voltage SecureData, now part of OpenText (formerly Micro Focus), is a data-centric encryption platform specializing in format-preserving encryption (FPE) for databases and applications. It protects sensitive data such as PII and payment information by encrypting it at rest and in transit while preserving data format, length, and query performance. The solution supports tokenization, secure search, and multi-tenant environments, making it ideal for compliance-heavy industries like finance and healthcare.

Pros

  • Advanced format-preserving encryption maintains data usability and application compatibility
  • High-performance encryption with minimal impact on database query speeds
  • Robust compliance support for PCI DSS, GDPR, and HIPAA with secure search capabilities

Cons

  • Complex initial setup and configuration requiring specialized expertise
  • Custom enterprise pricing can be high for smaller organizations
  • Limited native support for some modern cloud-native databases like Snowflake

Best For

Large enterprises in regulated industries needing high-performance encryption for structured data without refactoring applications.

Pricing

Enterprise licensing model with pricing available upon request, typically starting at tens of thousands annually based on data volume and features.

5
Symantec Database Encryption logo

Symantec Database Encryption

enterprise

Provides transparent data encryption for Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, and MySQL with low performance overhead and robust key management.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.8/10
Ease of Use
7.5/10
Value
7.6/10
Standout Feature

Transparent, multi-database encryption with centralized policy enforcement and HSM support for key protection

Symantec Database Encryption, now offered by Broadcom, is an enterprise-grade solution designed to protect sensitive data at rest across a wide range of database platforms including Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2, and MySQL. It provides transparent encryption that operates without requiring application changes, ensuring minimal performance impact while maintaining data availability. The software includes centralized key management, policy-based encryption, and integration with hardware security modules (HSMs) for enhanced security and compliance with standards like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.

Pros

  • Extensive support for major database platforms with transparent encryption
  • Robust centralized key management and HSM integration
  • Proven compliance features and low performance overhead

Cons

  • Complex initial setup and configuration in large-scale environments
  • High licensing costs suitable only for enterprises
  • Limited focus on data in transit or in-use encryption

Best For

Large enterprises with heterogeneous database environments requiring strong regulatory compliance and centralized encryption management.

Pricing

Quote-based enterprise licensing, typically starting at tens of thousands annually depending on database size and deployment scale.

6
Oracle Transparent Data Encryption logo

Oracle Transparent Data Encryption

enterprise

Built-in feature for encrypting Oracle database tablespaces, backups, and data at rest transparently to applications.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.8/10
Ease of Use
7.5/10
Value
7.0/10
Standout Feature

True transparency: encrypts data at rest without altering applications, queries, or indexes

Oracle Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is a native feature of Oracle Database Enterprise Edition that encrypts sensitive data at rest, including entire tablespaces, specific columns, or tables, without requiring modifications to applications or SQL queries. It operates transparently by encrypting data before writing to disk and decrypting it on-the-fly for authorized access, minimizing performance overhead. TDE supports advanced security options like Hardware Security Module (HSM) integration, auto-login keystores, and compliance with standards such as PCI-DSS and GDPR.

Pros

  • Seamless transparent encryption with no application changes required
  • Minimal performance impact on database operations
  • Strong key management including HSM support and rotation capabilities

Cons

  • Exclusively for Oracle Database, not multi-vendor compatible
  • Tied to expensive Oracle Enterprise Edition licensing
  • Complex initial setup requiring Oracle DBA expertise

Best For

Enterprises heavily invested in Oracle Database seeking robust, integrated data-at-rest encryption for compliance.

Pricing

Included in Oracle Database Enterprise Edition; licensed per core or named user plus (typically $47,500 per processor or higher depending on configuration).

7
SQL Server Transparent Data Encryption logo

SQL Server Transparent Data Encryption

enterprise

Encrypts entire SQL Server databases and log files at rest with automatic key management via Azure Key Vault integration.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
7.8/10
Value
7.5/10
Standout Feature

True transparency: encrypts data at rest without any changes to applications, queries, or user code

SQL Server Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is a native feature in Microsoft SQL Server Enterprise Edition that encrypts entire databases, log files, and TempDB at rest using AES encryption algorithms. It operates transparently, meaning applications and queries require no modifications as encryption/decryption happens automatically at the I/O level. TDE supports key management via certificates, service master keys, or external key managers like Azure Key Vault or HSMs, ensuring compliance with standards like GDPR and HIPAA.

Pros

  • Seamless transparency with no application or query changes required
  • Minimal performance impact on database operations
  • Strong integration with enterprise key management systems

Cons

  • Limited to SQL Server Enterprise Edition, which is expensive
  • Encrypts entire databases only, lacking granular column-level control
  • Setup involves complex certificate and key management

Best For

Organizations deeply invested in the Microsoft SQL Server ecosystem seeking reliable data-at-rest encryption without disrupting existing workflows.

Pricing

Bundled with SQL Server Enterprise Edition; starts at ~$14,000 per 2-core pack plus annual Software Assurance fees.

8
MySQL Enterprise Transparent Data Encryption logo

MySQL Enterprise Transparent Data Encryption

enterprise

Supports transparent encryption of InnoDB tablespaces using external keyring services for MySQL databases.

Overall Rating8.1/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
7.5/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Fully transparent tablespace encryption that requires zero code or query modifications

MySQL Enterprise Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is a built-in feature of MySQL Enterprise Edition that provides at-rest encryption for InnoDB tablespaces, including data files, redo logs, and undo logs, without requiring changes to applications or SQL queries. It operates transparently, automatically encrypting data as it is written to disk and decrypting it during reads using a master key managed externally. TDE helps meet compliance requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS by securing data at the storage layer.

Pros

  • Native integration with MySQL Enterprise Edition for seamless deployment
  • Transparent operation with minimal performance overhead
  • Supports per-tablespace encryption and integration with external key managers like Oracle Key Vault

Cons

  • Available only in paid MySQL Enterprise Edition, not Community Edition
  • Limited to tablespace-level encryption (no native column-level in TDE)
  • Key rotation and tablespace operations may require database restarts

Best For

Enterprise organizations using MySQL Enterprise Edition seeking straightforward, integrated at-rest encryption for compliance without application changes.

Pricing

Included in MySQL Enterprise Edition subscription; pricing starts at ~$2,500-$5,000 per server/year depending on cores/support level (contact Oracle for quotes).

9
Baffle Data Security logo

Baffle Data Security

enterprise

Delivers data-centric encryption and tokenization for relational, NoSQL, and big data environments without query rewrites.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.7/10
Ease of Use
7.5/10
Value
7.9/10
Standout Feature

Application-transparent continuous data protection via a security proxy that enforces encryption and masking in real-time

Baffle Data Security is a database security platform that provides continuous data protection through field-level encryption, dynamic data masking, and tokenization without requiring changes to applications or underlying databases. It supports a wide range of cloud data warehouses like Snowflake, Redshift, BigQuery, and traditional databases such as PostgreSQL and Oracle. Baffle enables organizations to enforce granular access controls and comply with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS while preserving query performance.

Pros

  • Transparent encryption and masking without application modifications
  • Broad database compatibility across cloud and on-premises
  • Continuous runtime protection beyond at-rest encryption

Cons

  • Deployment requires proxy configuration which can be complex
  • Pricing lacks transparency and is enterprise-focused
  • Potential performance overhead in high-throughput environments

Best For

Large enterprises managing sensitive data across multi-cloud databases needing compliant, non-disruptive security.

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing via quote; typically annual subscriptions starting in the high five to six figures based on data volume and features.

10
PK Protect logo

PK Protect

enterprise

Provides persistent file and database encryption with automated data discovery and classification for compliance.

Overall Rating7.6/10
Features
8.2/10
Ease of Use
6.8/10
Value
7.1/10
Standout Feature

Persistent Encryption that keeps data encrypted even during copies, migrations, backups, or disaster recovery

PK Protect by PKWARE is a data-centric security platform specializing in persistent encryption for databases, filesystems, and big data environments. It provides transparent, format-preserving encryption that protects sensitive data at rest without requiring application changes or impacting query performance. Supporting major databases like Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, and PostgreSQL, it ensures compliance with regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS through centralized key management and granular access controls.

Pros

  • Persistent encryption survives data movement, backups, and replication without re-encryption
  • Transparent to applications with minimal performance overhead using format-preserving techniques
  • Broad platform support including multi-cloud and hybrid environments for enterprise scalability

Cons

  • Complex initial deployment and configuration requiring specialized expertise
  • Enterprise pricing can be prohibitive for small to mid-sized organizations
  • Limited third-party integrations compared to more specialized database encryption tools

Best For

Large enterprises with diverse data environments needing persistent, compliance-focused encryption across databases and filesystems.

Pricing

Custom enterprise licensing based on data volume and users; typically quote-based starting at tens of thousands annually.

Conclusion

The reviewed database encryption tools offer robust solutions, with CipherTrust Transparent Encryption leading as the top choice due to its agentless, transparent encryption across multiple platforms. Protegrity Data Protection stands out for its fine-grained encryption and multi-cloud capabilities, while IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption excels in performance and centralized key management, making them strong alternatives for diverse needs. Each tool addresses specific challenges, from minimizing application changes to ensuring compliance, highlighting the breadth of options available.

CipherTrust Transparent Encryption logo
Our Top Pick
CipherTrust Transparent Encryption

Explore CipherTrust Transparent Encryption to experience seamless, agentless protection, or consider Protegrity or IBM Guardium based on your priorities—start safeguarding your critical data today.