Alternatives to CryFS

An encrypted filesystem that protects files stored in cloud storage, including their metadata and folder structure. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as CryFS.

  • Cryptomator

    Encrypts a folder inside your existing cloud storage, so Dropbox or OneDrive holds files it cannot read.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Cryptomator adds Windows, Android and iOS apps and encrypts file names and contents, though its mobile apps are separate paid purchases.

  • gocryptfs

    An encrypted overlay filesystem for Linux that encrypts each file individually, so cloud sync and backups only move what changed.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinuxCommand line

    gocryptfs encrypts each file individually and had an independent 2017 audit, but directory structure and file sizes stay visible, unlike CryFS, and macOS support is beta.

  • securefs

    Mounts an encrypted directory as a normal filesystem.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line

    securefs encrypts and authenticates files individually for cloud sync folders and adds Windows support through WinFsp, but it is command-line only.

  • cppcryptfs

    Mounts a gocryptfs-encrypted folder as a Windows drive letter, encrypting file contents and names transparently.

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    cppcryptfs brings gocryptfs-compatible encrypted folders to Windows, which CryFS lacks, but directory structure and file sizes remain visible and it needs the Dokany driver.

Also worth comparing

These listings name CryFS as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • AxCrypt

    A file encryption app that protects files and folders with AES-256 before sharing or cloud storage.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    CryFS is a free LGPL-3.0 encrypted filesystem that hides metadata in any cloud sync folder, but it runs only on macOS and Linux and suits sharing poorly.

  • fscrypt

    A command-line tool, written in Go, for managing native Linux filesystem encryption on ext4 and F2FS.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxCommand line

    CryFS encrypts a folder through its own filesystem and hides metadata and folder structure, working on macOS and Linux and suited to cloud sync folders.

  • StableBit CloudDrive

    A Windows app that creates encrypted virtual hard drives whose data is stored with a cloud provider.

    PaidProprietaryWindows

    CryFS encrypts files and folder structure inside a normal cloud sync folder on macOS and Linux, rather than creating a virtual drive, and is open source.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.