Alternatives to scrypt

A simple command-line tool for password-based file encryption built on the scrypt key derivation function. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

  • scrypt

    A simple command-line tool for password-based file encryption built on the scrypt key derivation function.

    FreeProprietaryCommand line

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as scrypt.

  • ccrypt

    A command-line utility for encrypting and decrypting files and streams with the Rijndael cipher.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line

    ccrypt is an open-source passphrase file encryptor using Rijndael, adding the ccat command to view decrypted files and an Emacs mode for encrypted text.

  • age

    File encryption with one small key, no options to get wrong, and a command you can remember.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line

    age supports both passphrases and short public keys or SSH keys, is open source under BSD-3-Clause, and composes with pipes for streams.

  • rage

    A Rust implementation of the age file encryption format, with a command-line tool and library.

    FreeOpen sourceCommand line

    rage implements the age format in Rust, adding public-key recipients and plugins to command-line file encryption under an MIT or Apache-2.0 license.

  • Kryptor

    Command-line file encryption and signing using modern cryptography.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line

    Kryptor adds public-key encryption and signing with modern primitives under GPL-3.0, though its file format is its own and interoperability is limited.

  • GnuPG

    Complete free implementation of the OpenPGP standard.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line

    GnuPG supports passphrase encryption plus full OpenPGP public keys, signing and smartcards, but its key management and command line are much harder to learn.

  • EncryptPad

    A text editor and file encryptor that uses OpenPGP-compatible symmetric encryption.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line

    EncryptPad combines passphrase or key file encryption with a text editor and an OpenPGP-compatible format readable by GPG, plus a command-line tool.

  • AES Crypt

    A file encryption program that protects individual files with a password using AES.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidCommand line

    AES Crypt offers password-based AES file encryption with graphical apps, Android support and a command-line version, but it is paid after a 30-day trial.

  • Picocrypt

    A tiny, single-purpose file encryption tool using XChaCha20 and Argon2id. Archived by its author, but still working.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Picocrypt provides a graphical passphrase-based encryptor using Argon2id and XChaCha20 with error correction, but it is archived and will receive no more releases.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.