Top 10 Best File Encryption Software of 2026

VeraCrypt is a free, open-source disk encryption tool that creates virtual encrypted disks (containers) for files or encrypts entire partitions and drives. It supports industry-leading algorithms like AES, Serpent, Twofish, and cascades for multi-layer protection, with cross-platform compatibility on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Renowned for its security audits and robustness, it excels in protecting sensitive data against unauthorized access.

Cryptomator is an open-source client-side file encryption tool designed for securing data in cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. It creates encrypted vaults that mount as virtual drives on your local machine, providing transparent access to files without manual encryption or decryption steps. By obfuscating filenames and encrypting content with AES-256, it ensures data privacy even if the cloud provider is compromised.

AxCrypt is a straightforward file encryption software that protects individual files and folders using AES-256 encryption with GCM mode for authenticity. It integrates seamlessly into Windows Explorer for right-click encryption and decryption, making it accessible for everyday users. The tool supports cross-platform use on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, with premium features like secure sharing links and password management. Free version handles basic needs, while premium unlocks advanced capabilities.

Boxcryptor is a client-side encryption tool designed to secure files stored in cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive by encrypting them on the user's device before upload. It employs zero-knowledge encryption, meaning the service provider holds no access to decryption keys, ensuring privacy even from cloud hosts. The software supports seamless syncing across devices and offers advanced sharing and team management features for businesses.

NordLocker is a straightforward file encryption tool from the makers of NordVPN that lets users create encrypted 'lockers' to securely store sensitive files using AES-256 encryption with XChaCha20 for key derivation. It supports drag-and-drop file management, password protection, and seamless zero-knowledge cloud syncing across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. While primarily focused on container-based encryption, it provides a free tier with 3GB of cloud storage for basic needs.

7-Zip is a free, open-source file archiver renowned for its high compression ratios and support for multiple formats including 7z and ZIP. It provides AES-256 encryption for password-protecting archives, allowing users to securely compress and encrypt files for storage or sharing. While not a dedicated encryption tool, it offers solid basic encryption capabilities integrated with archiving functionality.

PeaZip is a free, open-source file archiver and compressor that doubles as a capable encryption tool, allowing users to secure archives with strong symmetric ciphers like AES-256, Twofish-256, and Serpent-256. It supports authenticated encryption modes for tamper detection and offers two-factor protection via password plus keyfile. While versatile for handling 200+ archive formats, its encryption shines in bundling and protecting file sets into portable, secure containers.

GnuPG (GNU Privacy Guard) is a free, open-source implementation of the OpenPGP standard, providing robust tools for encrypting, decrypting, signing, and verifying files and messages using both symmetric and asymmetric cryptography. It excels in secure file encryption through command-line operations, supporting a wide range of algorithms including AES and RSA. Widely trusted by security experts, it's cross-platform and integrates well with other tools for automated workflows.

BitLocker is Microsoft's native full-disk encryption solution integrated into Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, designed to secure entire drives, partitions, and removable media using AES-128 or AES-256 encryption. It leverages hardware like TPM chips for secure key storage and automatic unlocking, while BitLocker To Go extends protection to USB drives and external storage. Though powerful for drive-level security, it's less flexible for encrypting individual files compared to dedicated file-focused tools.

Folder Lock is a Windows-based file encryption and folder protection tool that uses AES 256-bit encryption to secure files and folders with a master password, making them inaccessible and hidden from unauthorized users. It offers additional utilities like secure file shredding, encrypted backups to 'Lockers,' and portable encrypted containers for USB drives. While versatile for personal use, it focuses more on locking and basic encryption rather than enterprise-grade features like multi-user support or advanced key management.