Alternatives to FileVault
Full-disk encryption built into macOS that protects the data on a Mac's startup disk. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
FileVault
Full-disk encryption built into macOS that protects the data on a Mac's startup disk.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as FileVault.
VeraCrypt
Disk encryption that creates encrypted containers, encrypts whole partitions, and can encrypt the drive Windows boots from.
VeraCrypt is free and open source and adds containers and hidden volumes on macOS, Windows and Linux, but the macOS build needs macFUSE or FUSE-T installed separately.
BestCrypt
Commercial encryption software from Jetico for protecting hard drives, files and folders.
BestCrypt is a paid commercial product that encrypts drives, files and folders on macOS, Windows and Linux, rather than being built into the system.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
BitLocker
Full-volume encryption built into Windows that protects data on lost, stolen or discarded devices.
cryptsetup and LUKS
The standard Linux full-disk encryption layer.
Cryptomator
Encrypts a folder inside your existing cloud storage, so Dropbox or OneDrive holds files it cannot read.
GPG Suite
An OpenPGP toolkit for macOS for encrypting, signing and verifying files and email.
Arq
Encrypted backup software for Mac and Windows that stores backups in your own cloud account or disk.
