CryFS
An encrypted filesystem that protects files stored in cloud storage, including their metadata and folder structure.
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1 more ways to get CryFS
Package managers
- Homebrew
brew install cryfs
About CryFS
CryFS encrypts files locally before your sync client uploads them to Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive or any other cloud provider. It encrypts more than file contents: metadata and folder structure are hidden as well, so the provider cannot see how your files are organised.
Once it is set up, CryFS runs in the background and you work with your files as usual. It suits anyone who wants to keep using a cloud storage service without trusting the provider with readable data.
Strengths
- Hides metadata and folder structure, not just file contents
- Works with any cloud provider through its normal sync folder
- Runs in the background without changing how you work
Limitations
- Adds a setup step on each machine that needs access to the files
- Not a good fit for sharing files with people who do not use CryFS
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source under the LGPL.
- License
- LGPL-3.0
- Developer
- The CryFS contributors
- Platforms
- macOS, Linux, Command line
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Encrypting a Dropbox or Google Drive folder before it syncs
- Categories
- File sync, Encryption tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to CryFS
Compare allSoftware that can replace CryFS for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Cryptomator
Encrypts a folder inside your existing cloud storage, so Dropbox or OneDrive holds files it cannot read.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CryFS as an alternative
Listings that name CryFS as an alternative.
fscrypt
A command-line tool, written in Go, for managing native Linux filesystem encryption on ext4 and F2FS.
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.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
SiriKali
Graphical manager for encrypted folders created by gocryptfs, securefs and similar tools.
zuluCrypt
A Linux GUI and command-line tool for creating, opening and managing encrypted volumes and files.
VeraCrypt
Disk encryption that creates encrypted containers, encrypts whole partitions, and can encrypt the drive Windows boots from.
