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Microsoft BitLocker VS AES Crypt

Compare Microsoft BitLocker VS AES Crypt and see what are their differences

Microsoft BitLocker logo Microsoft BitLocker

BitLocker is a full disk encryption feature included with Windows Vista and later.

AES Crypt logo AES Crypt

AES Crypt is an advanced file encryption utility that integrates with the Windows shell or runs from the Linux command prompt to provide a simple, yet powerful, tool for encrypting files using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).
  • Microsoft BitLocker Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-25
  • AES Crypt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-27

Microsoft BitLocker features and specs

  • Strong Security
    BitLocker provides robust encryption algorithms like AES to protect data at rest, ensuring that unauthorized users cannot access your data even if they have physical access to the device.
  • Seamless Integration
    As a native feature of Windows, BitLocker integrates seamlessly with the operating system, making it easy to deploy and manage within a Windows-based environment.
  • TPM Support
    BitLocker leverages Trusted Platform Module (TPM) hardware to provide enhanced security, such as allowing non-TPM systems to use a USB startup key instead.
  • Enterprise Management Tools
    BitLocker can be managed using Active Directory, Group Policy, and Microsoft Endpoint Manager, enabling IT administrators to enforce encryption policies and recover keys efficiently.
  • Transparent Encryption
    Once BitLocker is set up, it works in the background without requiring user intervention, offering a smooth and transparent user experience.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft BitLocker

  • Performance Overhead
    Encrypting and decrypting data on the fly can slow down system performance, particularly on older or less powerful hardware.
  • Limited Non-Windows Support
    BitLocker is primarily designed for Windows operating systems, which limits its effectiveness and usability on non-Windows platforms.
  • Complex Recovery Process
    If a user loses their BitLocker recovery key, recovering the encrypted data can be complicated and, in worst-case scenarios, impossible.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    Setting up BitLocker requires understanding various options and configurations, such as TPM settings and key management, which can be daunting for inexperienced users.
  • Cost
    BitLocker is available only with certain editions of Windows, such as Professional and Enterprise, meaning users may need to upgrade from a basic edition, which could incur additional costs.

AES Crypt features and specs

  • Strong Encryption
    AES Crypt uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which is known for its high level of security and efficiency.
  • Cross-Platform
    AES Crypt is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, making it versatile and accessible across different operating systems.
  • Open Source
    The software is open source, allowing users to review the code for security vulnerabilities and ensure transparency.
  • Ease of Use
    AES Crypt offers a simple, user-friendly interface, making it accessible even to those who are not technically inclined.
  • No Cost
    AES Crypt is free to download and use, making it an economical choice for secure file encryption.

Possible disadvantages of AES Crypt

  • Limited Features
    AES Crypt focuses primarily on file encryption and lacks additional features such as folder encryption, password management, or cloud integration.
  • Manual Key Management
    Users have to manually handle encryption keys, which could be inconvenient and potentially less secure if not managed properly.
  • No Native Mobile Support
    While an Android version exists, there is no native iOS application, limiting usability for iPhone and iPad users.
  • No Integrated Key Recovery
    There is no built-in key recovery or backup feature, so if a user loses their key, their encrypted data may be irretrievable.
  • Potential for User Error
    Given that the process involves manual steps such as key management, there is a risk of user error, which could compromise security.

Microsoft BitLocker videos

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AES Crypt videos

Using AES Crypt

More videos:

  • Review - AES Crypt file encryption for Windows, MAC, Android
  • Tutorial - how to encrypt a file with AES crypt

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft BitLocker and AES Crypt)
Security & Privacy
61 61%
39% 39
Monitoring Tools
100 100%
0% 0
File Encryption
0 0%
100% 100
Encryption
47 47%
53% 53

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Microsoft BitLocker and AES Crypt

Microsoft BitLocker Reviews

Best Disk Encryption Software – the 5 top tools to secure your data
Bitlocker is popular Windows-only software used to encrypt entire volumes using the AES encryption algorithm with a 128- or 256-bit key. Unlike TrueCrypt and VeraCrypt, Bitlocker cannot create encrypted containers. Entire partitions must be encrypted at once.

AES Crypt Reviews

5 Best TrueCrypt Alternatives - Open source encryption apps
AES Crypt is a free open source (FOSS) cross-platform per-file encryption app which secures files using the AES-256 cipher. As a per-file encryption app, it allows you to manual encrypt individual files. Batch file encryption is not supported, although this limitation can be overcome somewhat by creating zip files out of folders, and then encrypting the zip file with AES Crypt.
Source: proprivacy.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Microsoft BitLocker and AES Crypt, you can also consider the following products

Symantec Data Loss Prevention - Fully protect your data with the comprehensive detection technologies and unified policies of Symantec's industry leading Data Loss Prevention (DLP).

Axcrypt - AxCrypt - Password Protect Files With Strong Encryption. AxCrypt is the leading open source file encryption software for Windows.

Paubox - Paubox provides HIPAA compliant email encryption without the hassle of extra steps.

VeraCrypt - VeraCrypt is a free open source disk encryption software for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.

OpenSSH - OpenSSH is a free version of the SSH connectivity tools that technical users rely on.

Windows BitLocker - This topic provides a high-level overview of BitLocker, including a list of system requirements, practical applications, and deprecated features.