I Examined Prime 7 Encryption Software program to Safeguard Digital Recordsdata

Once I entered the company {industry} 5 years in the past, I used to entry the online by way of an area space community (LAN) server. When each web site you browse is monitored, it raises alarming questions relating to safety and encryption.

After studying a factor or two, I teamed up with IT specialists and community engineers to get a extra holistic image of encryption. That is once they knowledgeable me {that a} truckload of reminiscence storage, server incompatibility, {hardware} and OS versioning, and worker lack of expertise are the explanations for weak information encryption.

Once I mixed their mentoring with my very own expertise, I set about to check round 40+ encryption software program to learn to enhance cybersecurity.

Out of the 40 options, I experimented with 7 finest encryption software program that supplied key options like public key interface (PKI), ciphering, hashing, file shredding, and safe locker providers that scale back the scope of knowledge infiltration and malware. It additionally led me to stipulate key parameters, execs and cons, and real-time G2 evaluations of those 7 finest encryption software program that will assist cybersecurity groups take their likelihood and make investments their greenback properly.

Other than my very own testing, these 7 finest encryption software program have additionally been rated as prime market leaders on G2 by way of buyer satisfaction, ease of use, market presence, and cost-effectiveness. 

7 finest encryption software program that I’ve tried and beloved

Encryption software program gives symmetric and uneven cryptography options to encrypt and safe information and decrypt encrypted information utilizing a public or personal key. It safeguards your native information and net supplies towards unwarranted spies or snoops. As I went by means of the testing and experimentation part, I discovered how the encryption patterns have modified and shifted from conventional encryption algorithms to trendy functionalities like hashing, passphrases, and lockers. 

It’s fascinating to witness how we have come a great distance from encrypting and securing information by way of ciphertext to storing them in cloud storage containers or lockers. Whether or not my information is saved on-premise or on the cloud, these finest encryption instruments lengthen their service by way of easy and safe authentication to private and non-private clouds. Additional, the general public key interface (PKI) characteristic helped me trade protected information by sharing a typical public key with the recipient whereas sustaining its privateness from different customers. 

One factor is for positive: these software program construct a digital fortress round your delicate information that’s inaccessible to snoopers or feds and supply end-to-end safety towards malware and brute pressure assaults. However whereas I share my very own private expertise of how glad I’m with the encryption providers, I would say signing up for a trial or registering for a customized demo would offer you first-hand expertise with shortlisting instruments in your information encryption processes. 

My main shortlisting parameters of the encryption software program throughout testing

Selecting encryption software program was a twofold course of for me: I needed instruments that provide end-to-end file encryption and have been straightforward to arrange, implement, and run. I experimented with numerous native and cloud units with totally different storage capacities to guage which encryption instrument gives the utmost compatibility and information trade services to transmit information from level A to level B with none packet loss.

Apart from placing collectively a guidelines of which encryption algorithms are current within the encryption software program, I seemed for extra plug-and-play instruments and on-line backup providers to double-verify that no unencrypted file is left on the system. With that, I’ve outlined the becoming parameters for each encryption instrument that it’s best to pre-check to get your greenback’s return on funding and construct a robust cybersecurity entourage in your firm. 

• On-line File Shredding:  If the encryption instrument leaves an encrypted file after locking the encrypted model, it may well improve the chance of malware or brute pressure assaults. Having a file shredding or file overwriting choice ensures that there are not any traces of the unique file within the drive or binary codes that may be hacked or decrypted by exterior hackers. Encryption instruments that supplied further integration with safe deletion instruments or file shredders have additionally made it to this record as a result of as soon as I encrypted a file, I might use these instruments to auto-delete the unique file. 
• Hashing algorithms: Setting a grasp password for a locker or a vault obtained me actually confused if the instrument does not have a password supervisor and I ended up setting predictable passwords. For this reason hashing algorithms are a must-additive in encryption software program that units hotkeys for shared information with the recipient. Superior hashing algorithms like SHA-3 or Argon2 add an additional layer of safety to encrypted information in order that they will not be decoded even when somebody is aware of the password. 
• Encryption algorithms: Encryption algorithms like AES, RSA, or Blowfish are used to retailer delicate worker info or safe information by way of tokenization. I used to be utilizing a digital personal community that made my information information fairly weak and liable to viruses, lest I did not use encryption algorithms to safeguard my information from net visitors. Encryption software program has to supply encryption algorithms to forestall exterior interruption or breach throughout the information transmission course of. 
• {Hardware}-based encryption assist:  One other quintessential characteristic I evaluated was the power to encrypt and tokenize information throughout all {hardware} computing techniques. Be it Home windows, macOS digital machine, or USB drive, I shortlisted the instruments that combine with {hardware} modules like trusted platform modules (TPM) OR {hardware} safety modules (HSM) for securing digital information throughout units and constructing a quick and environment friendly encryption workflow for corporations.
• Public key infrastructure (PKI) integration: With the general public key infrastructure (PKI) characteristic, I might encrypt a file with a public key and share it with a recipient who decrypts it with a non-public key. It signifies that if the file is open, anybody can entry it utilizing the general public key, however whether it is locked, it’s fully inaccessible to everybody, and solely I can open it with a non-public key. This technique is ideal for safe communication, the place I can share public keys freely with out worrying that everybody would learn the file contents which might be meant for me.
• Full disk and partition encryption: Full disk encryption does every part: encrypting disk information, shredding duplicate information, and overwriting disk area with new file folders to offer extra information integrity. Partition encryption can also be helpful as I can choose, compress, and encrypt simply the crucial paperwork on my drive and safe it in a vault, and this characteristic is probably the most advantageous if others additionally entry your drive. Full disk encryption is a vital characteristic because it locks and safeguards all information and folders saved on a disk and even permits cloud encryption for cloud drives. 
• Safety key escrow: Safety key escrow is my security internet. It looks like giving the trusted authority of your information to identified stakeholders and sharing an encryption key by way of a distinct messaging system simply to have a backup in case I neglect the important thing. For somebody like me who has hassle managing a number of passwords, this protects me from the trouble of setting a password restoration, as I can share the important thing with approved members to entry encrypted information and folders. 
• Safe boot and firmware integration: Safe boot is all about belief. Once I energy up my system, safe boot ensures that solely trusted working techniques and kernels are loaded. It prevents any exterior interference or snooping throughout the bootstrapping of the working system to guard {hardware} and software program information. Encryption software program that provides firmware safety is pivotal if you wish to add a number of layers of safety to your native information and net information.
• Key Sharding: Some encryption instruments fully nullified any scope of knowledge theft, as they not solely managed my password for vaults holding my paperwork however chopped the important thing into elements and saved every a part of the passkey in a distinct location. Solely I used to be capable of assemble my key again collectively and defend my information and folders from being accessed throughout my absence.

These parameters set an encryption instrument other than the noise of various cybersecurity techniques available in the market. Now, with my private expertise of making an attempt and researching one of the best 7 encryption instruments out of the 40+ instruments that I shortlisted, I’m sure that every of those options is designed to guard your on-premise and cloud server databases and set excessive requirements for information security whereas lowering the information breach or unauthorized entry. 

Whereas the above options gave me the mandatory advantages, enabling easy and secure information trade and creating vaults for my comfort, companies have a distinct strategy of shortlisting an appropriate instrument. Earlier than you get into this record, define your necessities, finances, community structure workflows, and present options to research probably the most appropriate encryption software program.

The record beneath comprises real consumer evaluations of encryption software program. It is very important notice that distributors providing a free trial are additionally thought-about free on this context. 

To be included on this class, an answer should:

• Safe information and information utilizing ciphertext
• Put together both information at relaxation, information in transit, or information in use for encryption
• Enable customers to decide on and handle their information within the encryption settings.

*This information was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some evaluations might have been edited for readability.  

In my expertise, Sign was an ideal immediate messaging system for sending and receiving encrypted information and enhancing or modifying decrypted information. As I observed that it was troublesome to ship encrypted information to recipients by way of different instruments, Sign supplied an immediate messaging service for attaching customized paperwork with encrypted attachments and sharing them on any cloud platform like Dropbox, Google Drive, and so forth.

Sign’s greatest energy is its end-to-end encryption. It locks your message information, name recordings, and saved information inside its secure vault. I did not have to fret about anybody snooping in on my conversations, which feels reassuring as at present, personal information is weak to all international servers. 

I additionally discovered that it makes use of the Sign protocol to guard information throughout importing or downloading. One of many first issues I observed was how easy and clear the interface is. It isn’t cluttered with pointless options, so you’ll be able to encrypt and ship your paperwork or information with none trouble.

Whereas sign does not overwhelm you with choices, it nonetheless supplied every part that I wanted from an immediate messaging platform. It could actually shred unencrypted messages or information, destroy magnetic file information, log in from cell or every other gadget, and create group chats to ship and obtain encrypted information.

Nevertheless, when you can customized add paperwork, Sign could not give me any assist for disk storage or cloud storage. It does not present encryption for native system information till you do not customise it as a wealthy textual content doc and add it over Sign’s server. 

Total, the app was straightforward to make use of, however there’s a studying curve for options like disappearing messages or managing backups. Plus, if the individual you’re messaging is not on Sign, the chats will not be encrypted.

The sign does not present encryption algorithm protection or a password supervisor. Total, whereas I really feel it offers platform for spearheading enterprise communication, it lacks slightly by way of sustaining information privateness and safety.

What I dislike about Sign:

• I could not obtain messages till I opened the Sign app. Even after adjusting the unrestricted information battery use and disabling the app pausing, the problem nonetheless persists.
• The desktop name’s ringtone model was slightly jarring to my ears. It felt actually outdated and will be refreshed with one other ringtone.

What G2 Customers dislike about Sign

“Digital camera high quality may be very poor. My telephone has an excellent digicam, however in some way once I click on pictures inside Sign, the standard turns into poor. Additionally, typically notifications don’t come till I open the app. So this must be mounted. Additionally, it takes up extra storage than different messaging apps.”

– Sign Evaluate, Rohit T. 

If there may be an app that stands out for encrypting information and providing extremely technical cipher to guard firm information, it’s none aside from Microsoft Bitlocker for me.

Microsoft Bitlocker is Microsoft’s built-in encryption instrument for Home windows. It could actually encrypt information and even merely lock unencrypted information with out encrypting them. 

If the locker is open, I can view all of the information and folders. But when the locker is closed, the information stays elusive and untraceable. It makes use of the superior encryption customary (AES) algorithm with 128-bit or 256-bit keys to guard your information from prying eyes. It additionally gives further on-line safe deletion and backup providers.

I additionally deployed Microsoft Bitlocker on totally different Home windows working techniques, solely to search out out that it built-in completely with Home windows 10 or Home windows 11. You do not require any further integration to configure and launch the applying.

One other key characteristic was that I might save all my passwords in an inbuilt password supervisor, add hashing layers to lockers, and even log in to the cloud console to entry all my saved lockers. Microsoft Bitlocker supplied seamless cloud compatibility and tight-knit encryption providers for my information.

Talking of passwords, there was a distinction between the best way to set keys for lockers. When you neglect your restoration key, your information is gone endlessly. Whereas this makes Bitlocker safe, there was no unique footprint of my file on the pc aside from the encrypted file I could not entry. 

In case you are a MacOS or Android consumer, you will not be capable to launch Microsoft Bitlocker. I additionally could not share any information or folders with non-Home windows working system customers. 

I might discover that some options weren’t fully consumer pleasant as properly. When my system needed to replace for TPM examine, the whole course of resembled a command line interface program that was obscure. I could not full the password restoration course of to unlock my information with out exterior help.

What I dislike about Microsoft Bitlocker:

• I could not set automation to deploy a “pre-boot” pin with out the assistance of the customer support workforce for my working system.
• I discovered the password restoration course of very sophisticated for encrypted information that stop even approved customers from accessing crucial information. 

What G2 customers dislike about Microsoft Bitlocker:

“It solely works for Home windows and doesn’t fully or absolutely assist on Linux primarily based machines”

– Microsoft Bitlocker Evaluate, Srivathsav M. 

As quickly as I examined Progress MOVEit, I anticipated it could be the perfect alternative for mid-to-enterprise-level cybersecurity groups. It manages, supervises, and automates all file-sharing and switch processes on one centralized platform.

Whether or not it’s encryption providers, file automation, exercise stage monitoring, or sustaining service stage agreements, Progress MOVEit does not have a dearth of options. It makes use of superior file switch protocols and uneven cryptography to ship information from one system to a different.

Additional, it additionally enabled me to onboard new information companions, set cloud locker login, and run backup syncs of unencrypted paperwork to make sure the information wasn’t misplaced. From its clear interface to intuitive workflows, you do not should be an IT genuis to work with this platform. I might share encrypted information with a fast turnaround and even set workflow automation to cut back handbook information monitoring and analysis.

At any time when I hit a snag, their buyer assist workforce has all the time been on level. Plus, the data base it offers is a treasure trove of helpful data—good for fixing minor points your self. Whether or not you’re dealing with routine transfers or huge information migrations, Progress MOVEit is a trusted and dependable instrument to work with.

However, like every other encryption software program, Progress MOVEit is not good. My system lagged often throughout longer system updates, thwarting me from encrypting my information on the proper time.

I additionally struggled to get a rundown of the variety of disks scanned, the final backup particulars, date, and time within the type of a customizable analytics report. In case you are somebody who depends on detailed analytics, you would possibly the present choices to be a bit missing.

I do not deny Progress MOVEit’s unbreakable encryption requirements, however previous safety incidents have left some customers cautious. It wants a stronger password and hashing mechanism to compress and safe a number of information and construct extra belief.

What I dislike about Progress MOVEit:

• Whereas customizing a doc, I might solely hyperlink one encrypted attachment per e mail.
• I could not disable encryption algorithms throughout a number of hosts with a single click on, which disabled file sharing even when the recipient had the password.

What G2 Customers dislike about Progress MOVEit

“Typically there are bugs on the applying and while you attempt to get assist, they will not be capable to remedy the bug problem as a result of it is an replace that must be rolled to an X date to do all of it for all their purchasers.”

– Progress MOVEit Evaluate, Ryan T.

Not solely did FileVault provide cryptography providers to my particular person information, however it prolonged the encryption service to a whole disk drive. FileVault gives encryption options like storage containers, vaults, and lockers that may retailer something, from identity-proof paperwork to bank card info.

FileVault is macOS’s built-in encryption characteristic. It offers providers like full disk encryption, on-line file shredding, safe file protocol, and on-line backup and restoration. It is free, included with each Mac, and does not require any additional configuration.

What I really like most about FileVault is its hermetic safety. It makes use of XTS-AES-128 encryption with a 256-bit key, which sounds tremendous technical – and it’s – however in plain terms- it means my information is locked down like Fort Knox with a grasp password.

Whether or not private paperwork, work information, or anything, FileVault ensures that the information are encrypted and transformed into cipher to guard them from unethical predators. The info is all tied to my Mac credentials, that means solely I or somebody with my personal key can entry it.

That stated, FileVault does have its downers. One factor I’ve observed is a slight efficiency hit when FileVault is enabled. It isn’t a dealbreaker for me, however should you work with older macOS or resource-heavy apps, the system would possibly lag or be weak to exterior bugs.

One other hiccup is accessibility. Whereas it is nice on my Mac, there isn’t any cell app to launch the app and entry encrypted information. When you’ve got a number of folks utilizing the identical Mac, it could be arduous to set information masking and defend your information from different customers.

Certain, FileVault is not good, however it does present the very best diploma of endpoint safety and encryption to your native and international information.

What I dislike about FileVault:

• I struggled to keep up the information integrity of my encrypted information in case a number of folks used my Mac and tried to entry the lockers.
• FileVault interfered with some saved information on my system and ended up tampering with them or making them unreadable.

What G2 Customers dislike about FileVault

“Apple has but to offer an enterprise-wide administration choice for FileVault. Whereas third social gathering distributors do a whole lot of the work right here, it could imply extra if Apple did work right here to ensure now we have a sustained path ahead with FileVault.”

– FileVault Evaluate, Joel P.

In my expertise, Virtru has obtained to be probably the most versatile e mail encryption instrument to switch your information by way of e mail from one desktop to the opposite.

Virtru protects the e-mail content material that has been despatched and in addition offers me an audit path of attachments securely despatched by the e-mail server. I particularly love how seamlessly it integrates with platforms like Gmail or different e mail purchasers. You simply should allow it, and it offers optimum safety and encryption algorithm assist in your e mail attachments.

Virtru additionally makes use of end-to-end file encryption to make sure you and your meant recipient can entry the mail. I simply needed to set a public key to encrypt an e mail and share it by way of an immediate messaging system with the consumer who can provide the password and open the attachment. It appeared straightforward, handy, and safe on the similar time.

I used to be additionally impressed by Virtru’s suite of real-time integrations, particularly those with Microsoft Outlook and Google Workspace. It isn’t nearly locking down your personal inbox but in addition about defending delicate information like enterprise particulars, private transaction particulars, and so forth. 

However, once I tried to entry Virtru on cell, I bumped into compatibility points. Typically, my emails did not open as easily as they need to, which was a bit irritating on the go.

In case you are sharing information, Virtru has you coated with e mail encryption and granular entry management. However what if the file dimension is just too huge? I could not connect wealthy textual content paperwork with a number of encrypted attachments with the e-mail that knowledgeable me the instrument couldn’t ship or obtain information past a sure dimension.

That stated, Virtru’s cons do not overshadow its gleaming execs. For somebody like me who’s a bit paranoid about e mail information safety, it appeared pure gold. Additionally, I deem it an ideal match for industries that often share delicate information, like healthcare, banks, retail, and e-commerce corporations.

What I dislike about Virtru:

• I struggled with the extraordinarily advanced consumer interface and occasional lagging of the instrument for each senders and recipients.
• I imagine Virtru is a little more exorbitant than different information encryption or e mail encryption platforms I’ve examined. 

What G2 Customers dislike about Virtru:

“Sending an encrypted e mail to suppliers exterior of the group is commonly sluggish and troublesome on the receiving finish. They report being caught in a buffering loop for lengthy durations, even days. Each internally and externally, e mail attachments usually require a second authentification, which is time-consuming.”

– Virtru Evaluate, Jim O.

In case you are a safety maniac like me, Tresorit might be a one-stop store for enhancing, managing, and decrypting information with improved safety protection.

Tresorit is a content material collaboration instrument that lets you work together, run conversations, share attachments and assets, and handle information audit logs in your firm’s processes. I might lock the acquired information inside folders and conceal them from the primary menu in order that it stays inaccessible to different content material collaborators. 

For companies and anybody who desires GDPR or HIPAA compliance, Tresorit gives information residency choices to tokenize information information and ship them by way of protected networks.

One other characteristic that I discovered tremendous helpful was to arrange safe deposit hyperlinks. This lets folks ship information to me securely. And it’s ridiculously straightforward for them to make use of it.  Additional, I had a number of choices at my disposal like file and folder encryption, file shredding, file overwriting and accessing vaults by way of command line to handle and safeguard digital information and monitor real-time exercise of customers all through all firm areas.

Tresorit appeared like an excellent cybersecurity framework for content material administration, however there are some seen cons. I presume the subscription could be costly for freelancers or small companies working on a good finances.

Downloading information for offline use was additionally not as easy as I would like, and managing information with out an web connection might be clunky. When you combine Tresorit together with your digital personal community, it wants your IP addresses and “https”  net addresses to guard you from server visitors.  

I’ve additionally observed that the synchronization or encryption course of takes a little bit of time and delays your corporation operations. It isn’t a dealbreaker, however if you’re engaged on tight deadlines to entry and edit new databases, this may trigger a hurdle.

What I dislike about Tresorit:

• I could not scan and share my PDFs immediately with the workforce because the doc scanner did not have a “share” choice.
• Once I deleted a backup file, I by chance deleted the unique file from the cloud as properly. It did not save the unencrypted model of the file.

What G2 Customers dislike about Tresorit

“I appeared to have very sluggish obtain charges for a lot of small information that I needed to obtain for a undertaking. I ought to have zipped and downloaded these information from the web site, however I went over the (for me) extra handy means of choosing the folder in Explorer. 11.000 photos have been then downloaded with a price of 3-5kB/s, which was no problem with my web connection.”

– Tresorit Evaluate, Martin P.

Once I used Kaspersky Endpoint Safety for Enterprise, I jogged again to the times when each private or residence PC was pre-configured with Kaspersky’s antivirus software to guard techniques from unwarranted viruses. 

It is the identical now as properly. What I’ve all the time appreciated about Kaspersky is its rock-solid safety and intuitive consumer interface laden with clear and inexperienced graphics. On the dashboard, I might view the final system scan, firewall safety, risk investigation, incident safety, and vulnerability scanning. 

I’ve seldom skilled risk detection like this. It is like having an ever-vigilant guard on obligation. It not solely supplied providers to encrypt information but in addition supplied a centralized administration console to trace, regulate, and diagnose systemic transfers.

Whether or not you deploy updates, monitor threats, or handle insurance policies throughout units, every part is in a single place. Plus, Kaspersky ran auto-check-ins to detect any infiltration or vulnerabilities on my system to make sure every part was safe. 

I additionally genuinely favored the interface. It is easy, which suggests you do not have to be a cybersecurity skilled to search out your means round. And regardless of being filled with options, it felt extraordinarily light-weight and did not eat into web server capability. 

Now, let’s talk about the areas for enchancment inside this cybersecurity resolution. Whereas the characteristic set is intensive, I felt slightly overwhelmed when navigating the myriad of endpoint safety choices. 

Whereas the efficiency was typically positive, there have been instances when my information took a whole lot of time to scan, and the system felt slightly sluggish. Buyer assist additionally did not provide any instant decision, so I needed to maintain the phone line for a very long time to boost a ticket.

Total, Kaspersky Endpoint Safety for Enterprise proved to be strong and dependable encryption instrument that encrypted all my information and offers optimum cloud-based safety in your property. In case you are okay with occasional efficiency downtimes, it is without doubt one of the finest encryption software program to contemplate throughout your decision-making course of.

What I dislike about Kaspersky Endpoint Safety for Enterprise:

• I obtained confused with the consumer interface accommodated with a number of anti-malware, safety, and encryption choices, and it took me a while to determine it out.
• Full size deep scans slowed down the efficiency of my system because it consumed massive reminiscence processing energy.

What G2 Customers dislike about Kaspersky Endpoint Safety for Enterprise:

“There may very well be extra visibility in risk detection. For instance, if it detects a virus, it is quarantined, and we won’t discover particulars like how the virus obtained in; it solely exhibits the file identify and the trail. So there needs to be extra detailed reporting on why it was quarantined.”

– Kaspersky Endpoint Safety for Enterprise Evaluate, Manish D.

Discover the 7 finest net browser software program examined by my colleague to publish your net catalogs and net assets and monitor incoming server visitors to make sure a safe stream of knowledge.