Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

BoxCryptor VS Column

Compare BoxCryptor VS Column and see what are their differences

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BoxCryptor logo BoxCryptor

Boxcryptor encrypts your sensitive files before uploading them to cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Box, and many others.

Column logo Column

Social network built to be high-signal in a world of noise.
  • BoxCryptor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-06

Boxcryptor is a flexible and scalable encryption software for the cloud, that supports more than 30 providers (including OneDrive, SharePoint and an integration in Microsoft Teams) as well as NAS encryption on all platforms. It offers collaboration, audit, and management features that allow secure collaboration on files while being compliant with privacy regulations. Thanks to zero knowledge encryption, all company data is securely protected from third-party access.

  • Column Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-30

BoxCryptor

$ Details
freemium
Platforms
Windows Android iOS Mac OSX Cloud Microsoft Teams
Release Date
2011 May

Column

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

BoxCryptor features and specs

  • AES-256 and RSA-4096
    Protection with the highest end-to-end encryption standards
  • Secure file access sharing with others
    Easy and secure collaboration
  • Security for your Cloud
    Encryption for OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive and many more

Column features and specs

  • Bank-owned infrastructure
    Column operates as a nationally chartered bank itself (Column N.A.), rather than partnering with a third-party sponsor bank. This reduces the layers of intermediaries typical in banking-as-a-service models, potentially leading to more reliable service, fewer conflicts of interest, and direct control over compliance and risk management.
  • Developer-first API design
    Column offers modern, well-documented REST APIs that are designed with engineers in mind, making it easier for fintech companies and developers to integrate banking services such as ACH, wire transfers, and account management directly into their products.
  • Direct access to payment rails
    Because Column is a chartered bank, it has direct access to Federal Reserve systems like ACH, Fedwire, and FedNow, which can result in faster processing times and more reliable payment operations compared to companies relying on indirect access through sponsor banks.
  • Experienced leadership
    Column was founded by William Hockey, co-founder of Plaid, bringing significant fintech industry experience and credibility. This background can inspire confidence among potential partners and investors regarding the platform's vision and execution capability.
  • Transparent and flexible pricing
    Column is known for offering clear, usage-based pricing models without hidden fees, which can be appealing to startups and fintechs looking for predictable costs as they scale their banking operations.

Possible disadvantages of Column

  • Limited track record
    As a relatively new entrant in the banking-as-a-service and chartered bank space, Column has less historical performance data and fewer long-term case studies compared to more established banking infrastructure providers, which may create uncertainty for risk-averse clients.
  • U.S.-only operations
    Column's banking charter and services are limited to the United States, which restricts its usefulness for companies seeking to offer banking services internationally or in multiple countries.
  • Technical integration burden
    Because Column emphasizes a developer-first, API-driven approach, companies without strong in-house engineering resources may find it challenging to implement and maintain integrations compared to more turnkey banking-as-a-service solutions.
  • Shared compliance responsibility
    While Column handles core banking compliance, partner companies still need to manage certain regulatory and compliance obligations related to their specific use cases, which can add complexity and require dedicated legal or compliance expertise.
  • Smaller ecosystem and support network
    Compared to larger, more established banking-as-a-service providers, Column may have a smaller partner ecosystem, fewer third-party integrations, and potentially less extensive customer support infrastructure, which could impact scalability for some businesses.

Analysis of BoxCryptor

Overall verdict

  • Overall, BoxCryptor is considered a solid choice for those needing additional security for their cloud storage. Its user-friendly interface and strong encryption protocols make it effective and accessible.

Why this product is good

  • BoxCryptor is good if you're seeking a way to encrypt your files stored in the cloud. It offers client-side encryption, meaning that your files are encrypted before they leave your device, keeping your data secure from unauthorized access. BoxCryptor supports a wide range of cloud storage services, provides zero-knowledge encryption, and offers features such as secure sharing and cross-platform compatibility, making it a reliable choice for individuals and businesses concerned about cloud data privacy.

Recommended for

  • Individuals looking to secure personal files on various cloud storage platforms.
  • Businesses that manage sensitive information and need to comply with data protection regulations.
  • Users who require a seamless and secure cloud storage encryption solution that works across different devices and platforms.

Analysis of Column

Overall verdict

  • Column is a well-regarded banking-as-a-service (BaaS) platform because it operates as a nationally chartered bank itself rather than relying on a separate partner bank, which simplifies compliance, reduces intermediary risk, and gives developers direct API-level access to core banking functions like payments, accounts, and card issuing.

Why this product is good

  • It is a real, chartered bank (not just a middleware layer), which reduces the multi-party risk seen in typical BaaS stacks that rely on third-party partner banks
  • Developer-first design with clean, well-documented APIs for building payments, ACH, wire transfers, card issuing, and account management
  • Backed by reputable investors (including Stripe), signaling strong technical and financial credibility
  • Direct access to the Fed and payment rails, which can mean faster settlement and fewer intermediaries
  • Transparent, predictable pricing structure compared to some legacy BaaS providers
  • Strong focus on compliance and risk infrastructure built into the platform itself

Recommended for

  • Fintech startups building embedded banking, lending, or payments products
  • Companies wanting to avoid the complexity and risk of traditional sponsor-bank BaaS relationships
  • Engineering-heavy teams that prioritize API quality and control over banking infrastructure
  • Businesses needing reliable ACH, wire, and card issuing capabilities without building their own bank relationships
  • Mid-to-large scale fintechs that need a stable, directly regulated banking partner as they grow

BoxCryptor videos

Boxcryptor: How it works

More videos:

  • Review - Boxcryptor โ€“ Secure end-to-end encryption for Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud and many more
  • Review - BoxCryptor Cloud Encryption App & Software Installation & Review
  • Demo - Boxcryptor, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, Active Directory - Using the Cloud Securely Encrypted
  • Tutorial - Setup Boxcryptor | STEP 1: Create and enable your Company Package

Column videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to BoxCryptor and Column)
Cloud Storage
100 100%
0% 0
CSS Framework
0 0%
100% 100
File Sharing
100 100%
0% 0
Web Frameworks
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare BoxCryptor and Column

BoxCryptor Reviews

Dropbox Alternatives: 10 Best Cloud Storage Services
We have covered the best Dropbox alternatives in this article, but what if you donโ€™t want to switch from Dropbox and yet want to secure your files. Thatโ€™s where Boxcryptor comes to your help. Whether you use Dropbox or other popular cloud storage services such as Box or Google Drive, it integrates and encrypts your files.
Source: beebom.com

Column Reviews

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing BoxCryptor and Column, you can also consider the following products

Cryptomator - When it comes to saving your files on a cloud server, it is important to ensure the security of those files. Keeping your delicate files out of the wrong hands can save you a lot of time and hassle. Read more about Cryptomator.

Mega - Secure File Storage and collaboration

Cloudfogger - Easy and secure encryption for the cloud. Provides security for all cloud storage services like Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive.

Tresorit - Encrypted cloud storage for your confidential files. Using Tresorit, files are encrypted before being uploaded to the cloud. Start encrypting files for free.

Google Drive - Access and sync your files anywhere

TeamDrive - The zero knowledge cloud sync & share solution for businesses. 100 % privacy guaranteed. Secure collaboration for your teams. End-To-End-Encryption is guaranteed and certified.