Cryptomator
Encrypt folders before syncing to Dropbox, iCloud, or Google Drive—client-side, open source.
Quick facts
- Price model
- Open source
- Starting price
- Free desktop; mobile one-time purchase
- Best for
- Encrypted cloud sync · Tax and medical files · Privacy on free cloud tiers
- Replaces
- Paid 'encrypted cloud' upsells, Blind trust in cloud storage
- Platforms
- MacWindowsLinuxiOSAndroid
- Last verified
- 2026-06-22
Why it's listed
Encryption you control before bits leave the machine—pairs with Syncthing or any cloud.
Cryptomator creates encrypted vaults that look like normal folders locally but appear as opaque blobs in the cloud. Use cheap or free cloud tiers for sync without trusting providers with readable tax docs and medical PDFs.
The catch
Mobile apps may be paid; losing your password means losing the vault.
Good fit for
- Privacy-minded families
- Freelancers with client docs
Not ideal for
- People who won't manage passwords and backups
Alternatives
Syncthing
Continuous folder sync between your devices—peer-to-peer, no cloud storage bill.
Replaces: Dropbox, Google Drive sync…
Proton Drive
Encrypted cloud storage from Proton—free tier for sensitive files without Google Drive ads.
Replaces: Dropbox for sensitive docs, Google One upgrades for PDFs only
Obsidian
A local-first notes app that stores your vault as plain Markdown files on your device.
Replaces: Evernote, Notion…
Joplin
Open-source note-taking with optional end-to-end encrypted sync you control.
Replaces: Evernote, OneNote…