Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

AES Crypt VS Windows BitLocker

Compare AES Crypt VS Windows BitLocker and see what are their differences

AES Crypt logo AES Crypt

AES Crypt is an advanced file encryption utility that integrates with the Windows shell or runs from the Linux command prompt to provide a simple, yet powerful, tool for encrypting files using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).

Windows BitLocker logo Windows BitLocker

This topic provides a high-level overview of BitLocker, including a list of system requirements, practical applications, and deprecated features.
  • AES Crypt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-27
  • Windows BitLocker Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-30

AES Crypt features and specs

  • Strong Encryption
    AES Crypt uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which is known for its high level of security and efficiency.
  • Cross-Platform
    AES Crypt is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, making it versatile and accessible across different operating systems.
  • Open Source
    The software is open source, allowing users to review the code for security vulnerabilities and ensure transparency.
  • Ease of Use
    AES Crypt offers a simple, user-friendly interface, making it accessible even to those who are not technically inclined.
  • No Cost
    AES Crypt is free to download and use, making it an economical choice for secure file encryption.

Possible disadvantages of AES Crypt

  • Limited Features
    AES Crypt focuses primarily on file encryption and lacks additional features such as folder encryption, password management, or cloud integration.
  • Manual Key Management
    Users have to manually handle encryption keys, which could be inconvenient and potentially less secure if not managed properly.
  • No Native Mobile Support
    While an Android version exists, there is no native iOS application, limiting usability for iPhone and iPad users.
  • No Integrated Key Recovery
    There is no built-in key recovery or backup feature, so if a user loses their key, their encrypted data may be irretrievable.
  • Potential for User Error
    Given that the process involves manual steps such as key management, there is a risk of user error, which could compromise security.

Windows BitLocker features and specs

  • Strong Encryption
    BitLocker uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with either 128-bit or 256-bit keys, providing robust protection for data.
  • Seamless Integration
    BitLocker is integrated with Windows OS, making it easy to deploy and manage within the Microsoft ecosystem.
  • TPM Integration
    BitLocker can use the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip to secure encryption keys, enhancing security through hardware.
  • Group Policy Management
    Administrators can manage BitLocker settings and deployment through Active Directory and group policies, making it suitable for enterprise environments.
  • Recovery Options
    BitLocker provides multiple recovery methods, including a recovery key, recovery password, or integration with Active Directory, ensuring data access in case of issues.

Possible disadvantages of Windows BitLocker

  • Performance Overhead
    Encryption and decryption processes can introduce performance overhead, which may affect system performance, especially on older hardware.
  • Compatibility Issues
    BitLocker requires specific hardware features like TPM 1.2 or 2.0, and its usage may be limited or unsupported on some older devices or non-Windows systems.
  • Complex Recovery
    While recovery options are available, they can be complicated to manage, especially for less experienced users or in environments without proper configuration.
  • Limited Non-Windows Support
    BitLocker is designed for Windows OS, making cross-platform accessibility and management challenging, particularly for organizations using multiple operating systems.
  • Potential Data Loss Risk
    Improper management of encryption keys or accidental disk damage can lead to data loss, emphasizing the need for careful setup and key management.

AES Crypt videos

Using AES Crypt

More videos:

  • Review - AES Crypt file encryption for Windows, MAC, Android
  • Tutorial - how to encrypt a file with AES crypt

Windows BitLocker videos

No Windows BitLocker videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to AES Crypt and Windows BitLocker)
Security & Privacy
41 41%
59% 59
File Encryption
42 42%
58% 58
Encryption
43 43%
57% 57
Security Tools
45 45%
55% 55

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare AES Crypt and Windows BitLocker

AES Crypt Reviews

5 Best TrueCrypt Alternatives - Open source encryption apps
AES Crypt is a free open source (FOSS) cross-platform per-file encryption app which secures files using the AES-256 cipher. As a per-file encryption app, it allows you to manual encrypt individual files. Batch file encryption is not supported, although this limitation can be overcome somewhat by creating zip files out of folders, and then encrypting the zip file with AES Crypt.
Source: proprivacy.com

Windows BitLocker Reviews

We have no reviews of Windows BitLocker yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Windows BitLocker seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 10 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

AES Crypt mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of AES Crypt yet. Tracking of AES Crypt recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Windows BitLocker mentions (10)

  • The Uber Leak Exposes the Global War on Workers
    The initial yes. Once encrypted you can trigger remote via intune/sccm/MDM https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/information-protection/bitlocker/bitlocker-overview. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Do you protect your privacy using any type of software?
    On linux it you can achive it via LUKS, on windows with the help of bitlocker or preferably veracrypt. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Protecting unencrypted hard drives
    What os are you using? If it happens to be a “pro” version of windows you could use bitlocker full-drive encryption which is built-in. There is one known vulnerability which involves gaining access to the RAM within seconds of shutdown, but that’s easily averted by keeping the computer in your possession for a minute or two after shutting it down. Source: about 3 years ago
  • AMD - Stutter Experienced with fTPM Enabled - AGESA 1207
    There's additional info about bitlocker and tpm here. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Any automated tool for Windows 10 Security Hardening?
    There is also bitlocker drive encryption. That is one way to secure your data if you are worried someone can physically remove your drives. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/information-protection/bitlocker/bitlocker-overview. Source: about 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing AES Crypt and Windows BitLocker, you can also consider the following products

Axcrypt - AxCrypt - Password Protect Files With Strong Encryption. AxCrypt is the leading open source file encryption software for Windows.

VeraCrypt - VeraCrypt is a free open source disk encryption software for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.

Cryptomator - When it comes to saving your files on a cloud server, it is important to ensure the security of those files. Keeping your delicate files out of the wrong hands can save you a lot of time and hassle. Read more about Cryptomator.

File Lock PEA - Password-encryption of files and directories. File PEA encrypts files and folders with authenticated encryption to protect confidentiality and integrity. The program uses memory-hard key derivation functions to prevent custom hardware attacks.

GnuPG - GnuPG is a complete and free implementation of the OpenPGP standard as defined by RFC4880 (also known as PGP).

TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt is a leading cross-platform that provides encryption tools that allow you to migrate any encrypted data to virtual disks images on your systems.