Top EncFSMP Alternatives for Secure Encrypted Folders

EncFSMP has long been a go-to solution for Windows and OS X users needing to mount and manage EncFS encrypted folders. Its compatibility with EncFS 1.7.4 on Linux, its ability to handle sensitive data in cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive, and its free nature made it a popular choice. However, despite being largely open source, it contains a closed-source component (Pismo File Mount), and the project is currently considered beta software with potential serious bugs. If you're looking for a more robust, fully open-source, or simply different approach to secure your data, exploring an EncFSMP alternative is a wise decision.

Best EncFSMP Alternatives

Whether you prioritize full disk encryption, cross-platform compatibility, or specific cloud integration, there's an excellent alternative out there to meet your needs. Let's dive into some of the best options available.

TrueCrypt

TrueCrypt is a powerful disk encryption software that, while not strictly open source (its source is available for review), offers robust security features. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux, providing a comprehensive drive encryption solution. If you need a tried-and-true disk encryption tool with a strong focus on security, TrueCrypt can be a good EncFSMP alternative, though its development has ceased.

LUKS

LUKS (Linux Unified Key Setup) is the standard for Linux hard disk encryption, making it an excellent open-source EncFSMP alternative for Linux users. It provides a standardized on-disk format, ensuring compatibility across different distributions and focusing on robust data encryption for entire drives. For native Linux encryption, LUKS is unparalleled.

Windows BitLocker

Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption is a commercial, integrated data protection feature for Windows operating systems. It helps address threats of data theft or exposure from lost or stolen devices by providing comprehensive drive encryption. While not open source, its seamless integration with Windows and features like Windows Explorer extension make it a convenient EncFSMP alternative for Windows users.

CryFS

CryFS is an open-source, cross-platform (Mac, Linux) solution that encrypts your files, making them safe to store anywhere, especially with cloud services like Dropbox and iCloud. Similar to EncFSMP, it focuses on encrypting individual files rather than entire disks, making it a strong EncFSMP alternative for those who prioritize cloud sync and file-level encryption.

Boxcryptor

Boxcryptor is a freemium encryption software optimized specifically for cloud storage services. It allows secure use of services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive without sacrificing convenience. With AES256 encryption, end-to-end encryption, and support for various platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, Boxcryptor is an excellent EncFSMP alternative for users heavily reliant on cloud storage.

EncFS

EncFS itself, the underlying technology EncFSMP uses, is a free and open-source encrypted filesystem that operates in user-space. It utilizes the FUSE library to provide an encrypted filesystem on Linux, Mac, and BSD. If you're looking for a pure, unadulterated EncFS experience without the additional closed-source components of EncFSMP, then EncFS is the most direct EncFSMP alternative, particularly for Linux and Mac users.

gocryptfs

gocryptfs is an open-source, file-based encryption system implemented as a mountable FUSE filesystem. Each file is stored as a corresponding encrypted file, similar to EncFS. It's available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, offering a modern and actively maintained encryption solution. Its simplicity and focus on file-level encryption make it a strong contender as an EncFSMP alternative.

Gnome Encfs Manager

For Linux users, the Gnome Encfs Manager is an easy-to-use open-source manager and mounter specifically designed for EncFS stashes. It simplifies the process of creating and managing encrypted directories, including cloud sync features like Dropbox integration. If you appreciate the EncFS concept but want a more user-friendly graphical interface on Linux, this is a perfect EncFSMP alternative.

encfs4win

encfs4win is an experimental open-source project aimed at porting EncFS functionality directly to Windows. It requires the Dokan library and provides core EncFS features like encryption and mounting drives. While experimental, for Windows users specifically looking for an open-source EncFS-like experience, encfs4win presents a direct EncFSMP alternative.

DiskCryptor

DiskCryptor is a free and open-source (GPLv3) solution for Windows that offers encryption of all disk partitions, including the system partition. Unlike EncFSMP's folder-based encryption, DiskCryptor provides full disk encryption. If you need a comprehensive, free, and open-source drive encryption solution for Windows, DiskCryptor is a strong EncFSMP alternative for system-wide protection.

With a variety of options available, from full disk encryption tools to specialized cloud encryption services and direct EncFS ports, you can find the perfect EncFSMP alternative to safeguard your sensitive data. Consider your operating system, whether you need cloud sync, and your preference for open-source solutions to choose the best fit for your security needs.