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Microsoft BitLocker VS TrueCrypt

Compare Microsoft BitLocker VS TrueCrypt and see what are their differences

Microsoft BitLocker logo Microsoft BitLocker

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

TrueCrypt logo TrueCrypt

TrueCrypt is a leading cross-platform that provides encryption tools that allow you to migrate any encrypted data to virtual disks images on your systems.
  • Microsoft BitLocker Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-25
  • TrueCrypt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-06-17

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.

TrueCrypt features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Availability
    TrueCrypt is available for multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, making it a versatile solution for cross-platform encryption needs.
  • Free and Open Source
    TrueCrypt is available for free and the source code is open, allowing for independent verification of the software's security and integrity.
  • Strong Encryption Algorithms
    The software supports strong encryption algorithms such as AES, Serpent, and Twofish, ensuring a high level of data protection.
  • Hidden Volumes
    TrueCrypt allows the creation of hidden volumes, providing an additional layer of plausible deniability.
  • On-the-Fly Encryption
    Data is automatically encrypted and decrypted on access, eliminating the need for manual encryption and decryption processes.

Possible disadvantages of TrueCrypt

  • Discontinued Development
    TrueCrypt development was halted in 2014, which means there are no new updates or official support for the software.
  • Potential Security Vulnerabilities
    Given its discontinued status, any newly discovered vulnerabilities will not be patched, potentially exposing users to security risks.
  • Complex Installation and Setup
    The software can be complex to install and set up, especially for users who are not technically inclined.
  • Legal and Regulatory Concerns
    The use of TrueCrypt may have legal implications in certain jurisdictions where strong encryption is regulated or restricted.
  • Lack of Official Support
    Since the project has been discontinued, there is no official support or help available from the original developers.

Microsoft BitLocker videos

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TrueCrypt videos

Truecrypt review

More videos:

  • Review - TrueCrypt Security Review - AT&T ThreatTraq #138 (2 of 7)
  • Review - Life After TrueCrypt. What are the Alternatives?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft BitLocker and TrueCrypt)
Security & Privacy
71 71%
29% 29
Monitoring Tools
100 100%
0% 0
File Encryption
0 0%
100% 100
Encryption
55 55%
45% 45

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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 TrueCrypt

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.

TrueCrypt Reviews

5 best TrueCrypt alternatives to encrypt your data today
TrueCrypt was a well-known open-source and free platform offering hardware and disk data encryption. It facilitated building encrypted partitions in any hardware such as USB flash drives. Also, it helped in creating simulated encryption disks within one file. However, after its discontinuation in 2014, many services came into play providing similar features, thus serving as...
6 TrueCrypt Alternatives for Reliable Data Encryption
VeraCrypt owners built the tool from an earlier TrueCrypt fork, but more recent releases broke with the TrueCrypt volume format, which means the encryption software cannot open existing TrueCrypt encrypted files. Built with the same features and interface as TrueCrypt—which significantly reduces onboarding time—the software was improved with increased iterations per...
Best Disk Encryption Software – the 5 top tools to secure your data
VeraCrypt is a fork of TrueCrypt and is widely considered its successor. It performs all of the same functions as TrueCrypt and then some. VeraCrypt adds security to the algorithms used for system and partitions encryption. These improvements make it immune to new developments in brute-force attacks, according to developers. You can find a full list of improvements and...
5 Best TrueCrypt Alternatives - Open source encryption apps
VeraCrypt is a fork of TrueCrypt and its direct successor. Other than minor branding changes, it front-end looks the same and its functionality is identical to that of TrueCrypt. It basically is TrueCrypt except that its code has been fully audited, problems discovered with TrueCrypt have been fixed, and the app is under active development.
Source: proprivacy.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Microsoft BitLocker and TrueCrypt, 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).

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

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

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

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

Advanced File Security Basic - Download Advanced File Security Basic. Protect files by encrypting them with a strong password, a series of questions, or even an USB key you can carry around with this powerful security solution