Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

STunnel VS AES Crypt

Compare STunnel VS AES Crypt and see what are their differences

STunnel logo STunnel

Stunnel is a proxy designed to add TLS encryption functionality to existing clients and servers without any changes in the programs' code.

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).
  • STunnel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-24
  • AES Crypt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-27

STunnel features and specs

  • Security
    STunnel provides encryption for data that might otherwise be sent over an unencrypted network through its use of SSL/TLS protocols, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of data in transit.
  • Versatility
    STunnel can be used with virtually any network protocol that does not inherently support TLS, allowing it to secure a wide range of applications without requiring code changes.
  • Open Source and Free
    As open-source software, STunnel is available for free, allowing anyone to use, modify, and distribute the software with access to the source code.
  • Cross-Platform
    STunnel is available for various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, providing a consistent experience across different environments.
  • Minimal Configuration
    For many use cases, STunnel can be configured with a simple configuration file, which minimizes complexity and reduces the effort required to implement it.

Possible disadvantages of STunnel

  • Latency Overhead
    Because STunnel adds an encryption layer, there might be additional latency in data transmission as a result of the encrypting and decrypting process.
  • Configuration Complexity
    Though it can be easy for basic setups, more complex configurations can become challenging, requiring good knowledge of SSL/TLS protocols and certificate management.
  • Certificate Management
    The need to manage SSL/TLS certificates can add complexity, requiring understanding of certificate creation, distribution, and renewal processes.
  • Limited Functionality
    STunnel is specifically designed for adding TLS to network connections, which means it does not provide features like detailed access controls, logging, or advanced firewall capabilities.
  • Lack of Built-in Auth Protocols
    STunnel itself does not provide built-in authentication mechanisms beyond client and server certificate verification, necessitating additional solutions if more sophisticated authentication is required.

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.

STunnel videos

Make a VPN Server with a Raspberry Pi, OpenVPN and Stunnel

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Use TorGuard's Stealth VPN (Openconnect vs OpenVPN Stunnel)
  • Review - Blue Iris - Stunnel

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 STunnel and AES Crypt)
Security & Privacy
10 10%
90% 90
VPN
100 100%
0% 0
File Encryption
0 0%
100% 100
Cloud VPN
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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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 STunnel and AES Crypt, you can also consider the following products

PowerShell - Download WMF. Windows Management Framework contains the latest versions of PowerShell, DSC, WMI, and WinRM for older versions of Windows. PowerShell Module Browser. Search for PowerShell modules and cmdlets.

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

V2Ray - A platform for building proxies to bypass network restrictions.

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

Shadowsocks - A fast tunnel proxy that helps you bypass firewalls

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