Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

VeraCrypt VS TrueCrypt

Compare VeraCrypt VS TrueCrypt and see what are their differences

VeraCrypt logo VeraCrypt

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

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.
  • VeraCrypt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • TrueCrypt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-06-17

VeraCrypt features and specs

  • Open Source
    VeraCrypt is open source, meaning its source code is publicly available. This allows for transparency, community review, and auditing by security experts.
  • Strong Encryption
    VeraCrypt supports a variety of strong encryption algorithms such as AES, Serpent, and Twofish, providing robust protection for your data.
  • Cross-Platform
    VeraCrypt is available for multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring compatibility across different desktop environments.
  • Hidden Volumes
    VeraCrypt allows the creation of hidden volumes within an encrypted container, providing an additional layer of plausible deniability.
  • No Backdoors
    As an open-source project, VeraCrypt has no hidden backdoors, ensuring that no unauthorized parties can access your encrypted data.

Possible disadvantages of VeraCrypt

  • Performance Overhead
    Encrypting and decrypting data on-the-fly can introduce performance overhead, potentially slowing down system performance, especially on less powerful hardware.
  • Complexity
    VeraCrypt's advanced features and settings can be overwhelming for novice users, requiring a certain level of technical knowledge to use effectively.
  • Lack of Cloud Integration
    VeraCrypt does not offer built-in cloud storage integration, making it less convenient for users who rely on cloud services for data storage.
  • Limited Support
    Being an open-source project, VeraCrypt's support is limited to community forums and documentation, lacking the professional support options available with commercial encryption solutions.
  • No Mobile App
    VeraCrypt does not have a dedicated mobile application, limiting its usability to desktop and laptop environments.

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.

VeraCrypt videos

The Complete VeraCrypt Encryption Tutorial

More videos:

  • Review - Veracrypt Get Started Guide: Encryption Made Easy
  • Review - FLOSS Weekly 340: VeraCrypt

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 VeraCrypt and TrueCrypt)
Security & Privacy
79 79%
21% 21
Encryption
77 77%
23% 23
File Encryption
70 70%
30% 30
Security Tools
94 94%
6% 6

User comments

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Reviews

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

VeraCrypt Reviews

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 encryption software of 2020 : Free, paid and business tools and services
Best encryption software tools(Image credit: Folder Lock)1. Folder LockVISIT WEBSITEFree to download basic versionEffective personal encryptionMainly mobile oriented(Image credit: AxCrypt)2. AxCryptVISIT WEBSITEStrong encryption for personal useFree version availableMainly mobile-oriented(Image credit: CryptoExpert)3. CryptoExpertVISIT WEBSITEUses multiple encryption...
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
A notable feature of VeraCrypt is that any file, for example, an innocent-looking photo file, can be used as the container for a VeraCrypt volume. Even more notable is its hidden volume feature which provides plausible deniability. It does this by hiding an encrypted volume inside another VeraCrypt volume in such a way that, if the correct precautions are taken, it is...
Source: proprivacy.com

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 VeraCrypt and TrueCrypt, 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.

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

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

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

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

Knox - Knox offers easy disk image encryption and comes with a built-in backup service.