We dive into the various features offered by encryption tools for cloud data to help you decide between C
Cyber threats are at an all-time high in the world. That may be because of the expansion of digital connectivity, but wait that does not explain it all. We have also become a generation that puts so much information online – independent whether we like it or not.
Cloud security is also critical, given that most companies have also moved to the cloud for security-related issues or maybe speed. For personal use, cloud encryption tools now come handy to help us secure our data in the cloud.
There are now different solutions on the market with very different approaches, but all aimed at one goal – securing our data in the corporate cloud. We all use cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive, but that does not provide extra security to your data. We need to add more layers of security to this data.
That is where Cryptomator and Boxcryptor come in – to add secure encryption to your cloud data. Cloud storage services can experience breaches and whatever, but it is high time that we took control of our privacy in our own hands. What Cryptomator and Boxcryptor do is they encrypt your files fist before you send them to the cloud. This way, your data is safe no matter what happens.
In this article, we dive into the various features offered by these two encryption tools for cloud data to help you decide which is which. And most importantly, if any of them is worth your attention.
Cryptomator VS Boxcryptor: Summary
Cryptomator and Boxcryptor are both great encryption tools. Both tools adhere to the recommended security features for these particular product offerings – cloud security. In terms of features, both pack a good set of features.
However, Cryptomator edges out Boxcryptor due to its free and open-source nature. Open source makes Cryptomator suitable for any security vested individuals. Boxcryptor has a free plan, too, but comes with a few limitations in terms of features. However, in general, you can choose to go with any of the two tools comfortably for free.
Features
Open-Source
Cryptomator is an open-source, client-side encryption tool for cloud storage services. That comes with its advantages. This means Cryptomator is as well as free to us. You can get started with the encryption tool anytime without unmasking your credit card from wherever place you’re hiding it.
Being open-source also means Cryptomator is developed at a faster pace, and improvements can hit the platform as fast as possible. Boxcryptor, on the other hand, is not open source.
Cross-Platform Support
Both Boxcryptor and Cryptomator have cross-platform support. Starting with Boxcryptor, the tool is available for download on various platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, and Chrome (Beta). Besides, Boxcryptor is also has a portable version, which means you can carry around the software using your pen drive, and it is installable on Linux. For Cryptomator, you can download it on various platforms too, including Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, and Mac OS.
Multi-Language Support
On multiple language support, Boxcryptor edges out Cryptomator. Boxcryptor supports six different languages currently (GER, EN, ES, IT, FR, RU), while Cryptomator only supports two, which is English and Deutsch.
Supported Providers
For real-world usage, support for your respective cloud storage service provider is crucial. You want to choose an encryption tool that is available on your given cloud storage service of your choice. What will be the use of selecting an encryption tool that does not support your provider anyway?
Starting with Boxcryptor, you can encrypt files on several cloud storage services. The supported providers by Boxcryptor include the following;
Box, OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, Amazon S3, CloudMe, CloudWatt, Egnyte, GMS, HubiC, Livedrive, Mail.ru | Hotbox, Onedrive for Business, Orange, OwnCloud, Dracoon, Sharepoint Online, SpidearOak One, Storegate, Strato Hidrive, Sugar Sync, WEB.de, Yandex.Disk, Telekom MagentaCLOUD, Nutstore, Mailbox.org Drive, and Next Cloud.
Cryptomator, on the other hand, supports the following cloud providers;
1&1 Online-Speicher (DSL), 1&1 Online-Speicher (Webhosting), blaucloud, Box, Cubby, freenetcloud, GMX MediaCenter, HiDrive, IDrive, MagentaCLOUD, Mail.Ru, Nextcloud, ownCloud, pCloud, Seafile (self-hosted), STACK, Strato HiDrive, Syncwerk (formerly Seafile.de), WEB.DE Online-Speicher, wölkli, Yandex.Disk and Mailbox.org.
Data Encryption Features
Data encryption is the sole purpose of these two cloud encryption tools. Boxcryptor and Cryptomator are used primarily to ensure your data is kept safe in the cloud, no matter your cloud service providers. All these have been made possible due to their various security-related and encryption technologies.
Data encryption features provided by the two encryption tools are robust. This explains why the two services are both compliant with security-related measurements laid across to govern this particular sector.
Boxcryptor
To start with Boxcryptor, the service has an end-to-end encryption protocol for all of its file’s storage. Which means all the files are encrypted from your local drive up to the cloud. So even if an intruder intercepts your files while in motion, they cannot do anything with them.
Besides, your data in the cloud will also stay encrypted by Boxcryptor. Boxcryptor implements a combined encryption process based on asymmetric RSA and symmetric AES encryption. So, every single file has its own unique random file key that is generated at the point of creation.
On top of that, Boxcryptor is also a zero-knowledge provider. This means BoxCryptor does not store user’s passwords. That brings more levels of control to your data. It also comes with a particular critical setback – if you forget your password, there is no way to reset it. That will be your end of access to the encrypted files.
Cryptomator
Moving on to Cryptomator, the tool provides a virtual drive where you can add, edit, or remove files as you like. Apart from this, Cryptomator also gives each vault 256-bit encryption as well as MAC master key, which is used in the encryption of file specific keys and file authentication, respectively.
Despite encrypting folder names, Cryptomator also encrypts file contents and folder names contained in the main folders. Your files also stay encrypted even when in motion to or from your cloud.
Apart from these cloud-based security features, both Cryptomator and Boxcryptor also have full-disk encryption. This means you can encrypt your entire device to secure data that will remain encrypted. Ensuring the security of your data even if your device is lost or stolen.
Cryptomator VS Boxcryptor: Small Comparison Table
Who is this for?
Boxcryptor and Crytomator apply to anyone. These two services are meant not only for privacy concerned individuals but to anyone who wants to secure data, whether it is in their device or the cloud. The application of these encryption tools is limitless.
Pros and Cons
Cryptomator Pros
- Open-source
- Private, end-to-end encryption
- Over 20 supported cloud services
Cryptomator Cons
There are no cons
Boxcryptor Pros
- Multiple cloud services supported
- RSA and symmetric AES encryption
- Security in your hands
Boxycryptor Cons
- Passwords cannot be reset
- Has paid plans
Pricing
Boxcryptor
Boxcryptor has two plans; one dedicated for personal usage and another one curated mainly for teams. For individual usage, Boxcryptor has a free plan with limited functionality. However, all plans whether free of paid have three things in common;
- Protection with end-to-end encryption standards AES-256 and RSA-4096
- Secure file access sharing
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) support
The Free Plan Includes:
- Basic version
- One cloud provider
- Two devices
- Community support
- For private, non-commercial use
- Whisply integration
The Personal Paid Plan for $48/year Includes:
- Unlimited number of cloud providers
- Unlimited number of devices
- Filename encryption
- Reliable, fast email support
- For private, non-commercial use
- Whisply integration – For business use
The Business Plan for $96/year Includes:
- All features of Boxcryptor Personal
- Business and professional use
- Higher priority for support cases
- Whisply integration – With business-related usage
For Teams, there are two plans;
The first plan is termed as Company priced at $10 per user per month, billed annually accommodating a minimum of 5 users up to 50 users at the maximum. Paying upfront three years will cut the price per user per month to $8, which will save you the right amount of cash in the long run.
Company plan includes the following features;
- Master Key
- Customizable Policies
- Active Directory Support
- User Password Reset
- User management
- Group Management
- Activity Auditing
- Two-Factor Authentication Via Duo Security
- Whisply Integration – For professional use
For teams with more than 50 users, Boxcryptor offers another plan termed as Enterprise. It includes the following features;
- All features of Boxcryptor Company
- Single Sign-On
- User Provisioning (SCIM)
- Account Capture
- Customer-Managed Keys
- Dedicated Account Manager
- Personal Setup Assistance
- Premium Support
- Whisply Integration – For professional use
For teams, there is a 14-day free trial available. But the personal plans have no trial period whatsoever.
For Cryptomator, the software is free and open-source unless you wish to support the developer with some cup of coffee.
User-Friendliness
Both of these two encryption tools are easy to use. There are no complex setup processes involved, and you can get started as fast as possible. Encrypting files on your device is easy as pie, especially with the support of drag and drop functionality in the respective vaults.
Customer Support
Cryptomator and Boxcryptor offer excellent customer support. Cryptomator’s support is backed up by a well-documented knowledge base center and a community forum. There is no email support whatsoever unless you wish to cancel your monthly donations. The forums are very active with a good number of posts every day, so using this is well enough for support.
For Boxcryptor, the platform also has a knowledge base center equipped with common questions many users face. Besides, there is also a community forum for support. For paying members, email support is available for personalized issues.
For email support, Boxcryptor provides direct support both in English and German. The support team will only answer your queries from Monday to Friday. The company says they may provide email support for free users too occasionally on a “goodwill” basis.
Boxcryptor support forums are quite inactive, so don’t expect some instantaneous help there.
Cryptomator VS Boxcryptor: The Verdict
Juggling through all of these features, it is clear Cryptomator has the edge over Boxcryptor. Cryptomator is free and open-source software, which means you don’t need to pay anything whatsoever.
The free and open-source nature of Cryptomator is one main reason that we could recommend security vested individuals to choose. However, Boxcryptor also offers a good set of features for free under their “personal” plans.
For organizations, we find Boxcryptor as the best go-to alternative considering its team-related functionalities offered.
