The best disk encryptions, according to hackers
7 disk encryptions were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 2 earn the Hacker Approved badge.
Top picks
The two most recommended disk encryptions with the badge. Each figure is 5 people. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Encrypted containers for files
Free, open-source encryption for files, containers and drives, with hidden volumes and independent audits. Critics note hidden volumes can be detected and it is slow on SSDs.
Best practice for at-rest encryption
Linux's standard disk encryption, praised for flexible multiple keys, transparent kernel-level operation and years of reliable use. Critics point to recurring flaws and an unencrypted header.
All 7 disk encryptions, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied 1 | VeraCrypt | 45 | 18 | 71% | 10 | — | Approved |
| Tied 1 | Microsoft BitLocker | 45 | 115 | 28% | 8 | 10.7 yrs3 owners | — |
| 3 | LUKS | 32 | 6 | 84% | 13 | — | Approved |
| 4 | TrueCrypt | 9 | 7 | 56% | 6 | — | — |
| 5 | FileVault | 8 | 9 | 47% | 3 | — | — |
| 6 | systemd-cryptenroll | 7 | 2 | 78% | 5 | — | — |
| 7 | dm-crypt | 5 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | — |
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same disk encryption in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to disk encryptions that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.