gocryptfs
Ranked 7 of 7 encryption tools by recommenders
People recommend gocryptfs as a simple, flexible way to encrypt files and backups. The most common caveat is that it is a pain after reboots.
People recommend gocryptfs as a simple, flexible way to encrypt files and backups. The most common caveat is that it is a pain after reboots.
6 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 5
- criticize it
- 1
- approval share
- 83%
Recommended in 5 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: not recommended
- January 2026: recommended
- February 2026: recommended
- March 2026: recommended
- April 2026: not recommended
- May 2026: not recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: recommended
- August 2026: not recommended
- September 2026: recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it doesn’t carry the badge
- 5 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, not met.
- 5 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
- Recommended in 5 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Good for encrypting files and backups
“For simplicity, I'd use gocryptfs, Veracrypt, or other general file-based encryption”
Comment from 19 Feb 2026 in “Show HN: An encrypted, local, cross-platform journaling app” “far more flexible, generic and flat out better in managing encrypted files/backups”
Comment from 3 Jan 2026 in “The PGP Problem (2019)” “Gocryptfs works well for that.”
Comment from 23 Mar 2026 in “Migrating to the EU”
What people warn about
Each mark is one comment
Hassle after reboots
“It’s still a pain though when reboots happen”
Comment from 3 Jul 2026 in “Immich v3.0.0 Released”
Other encryption tools people recommend
The four most recommended other encryption tools, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Criticize | Approval | Months | Owned | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| age encryption tool | 49 | 12 | 80% | 11 | — | Approved |
| GnuPG | 40 | 46 | 47% | 8 | — | — |
| PGP | 38 | 48 | 44% | 12 | 25 yrs3 owners | — |
| GPG | 23 | 29 | 44% | 11 | — | — |
| gocryptfsThis page | 5 | 1 | 83% | 5 | — | — |
What people said
All 7 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“a FUSE solution like gocryptfs”
“gocryptfs is great, I use it to encrypt storage in embedded scenarios”
“It’s still a pain though when reboots happen”
“Gocryptfs works well for that.”
“For simplicity, I'd use gocryptfs, Veracrypt, or other general file-based encryption”
“far more flexible, generic and flat out better in managing encrypted files/backups”
“Many leak metadata and/or have serious security concerns.”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.