Compare software

VeraCrypt vs BitLocker: catalog facts
VeraCrypt	BitLocker
Free Free and open source, funded by donations.	Paid Included with Windows; the full feature set requires the Pro, Enterprise or Education…
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Encrypted container files that mount like an ordinary drive Full partition and full system encryption, with pre-boot authentication on Windows	Built into Windows with nothing extra to install Encrypts entire volumes
Mounting a volume needs administrator rights and a driver on every platform Forget the password or lose the header backup and the data is gone	Windows only Full feature set limited to certain Windows editions
Downloadable app	Operating system
Open source	Closed source
License: Apache-2.0 and TrueCrypt-3.0	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.