Should I use FileVault or Boxcryptor for file security?

They solve different problems. FileVault encrypts your entire Mac hard drive — it protects your data if your laptop is stolen or lost. Boxcryptor (now Cryptomator as a successor) encrypts individual files stored in cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive — it protects your files from the cloud provider reading them. You should use both: FileVault for local disk protection and a cloud encryption tool for files stored in the cloud.

Is Boxcryptor still available in 2026?

Boxcryptor was acquired by Dropbox in December 2022, and Boxcryptor stopped accepting new customers. Existing accounts were supported through a transition period. The recommended alternative for Boxcryptor's use case (encrypting cloud storage files) is Cryptomator, which is free, open source, and available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Cryptomator works with any cloud storage provider and is the most widely recommended Boxcryptor replacement.

FileVault vs Boxcryptor (2026): Full Disk Encryption vs Cloud File Encryption

By ToolVS Research Team · Updated April 10, 2026

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Quick Answer

FileVault and Boxcryptor (now replaced by Cryptomator) solve different security problems — use both. FileVault encrypts your entire Mac drive to protect against physical theft. Boxcryptor/Cryptomator encrypts files before they upload to Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive, protecting them from the cloud provider itself. Note: Boxcryptor was acquired by Dropbox in 2022 — the best current alternative is the open-source Cryptomator.

FileVault

9.2/10

Best for Mac full-disk encryption

Boxcryptor / Cryptomator

8.7/10

Best for cloud storage encryption

Feature Comparison

Feature	FileVault (Apple)	Boxcryptor / Cryptomator
Pricing	Free — built into macOS	Boxcryptor: discontinued; Cryptomator: free (open source)
Platform	macOS only	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
What It Encrypts	Entire Mac startup disk (AES-XTS 128-bit)	Individual files in cloud storage folders
Protection Against	Physical theft, lost device	Cloud provider access, data breaches
Performance Impact	Minimal — hardware accelerated	Slight — encryption/decryption on access
Recovery Key	iCloud or local recovery key	Password-based vault recovery
Cloud Storage	No cloud integration	Works with any cloud storage
Best For	Mac users protecting local data	Anyone storing sensitive files in cloud

Which do you use?

FileVault

Boxcryptor

Who Should Choose What?

→ Enable FileVault if:

You use a Mac laptop and want protection if it's lost or stolen — FileVault should be enabled on every Mac as a baseline security practice. It's built into macOS, free, and has negligible performance impact on modern Macs with Apple Silicon. Recovery key should be stored in iCloud or printed and stored securely. Apple enables FileVault by default on new Macs now.

→ Use Cryptomator (Boxcryptor successor) if:

You store sensitive files in Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud and want to ensure the cloud provider cannot read them. You handle confidential client documents, financial records, or personal health information in the cloud. You want true zero-knowledge encryption where only you hold the decryption keys. The free open-source Cryptomator is the best current choice — it creates encrypted vaults that sync transparently through any cloud storage service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does enabling FileVault slow down a Mac?

On modern Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) or Intel Macs with T2 security chips, FileVault encryption and decryption is hardware-accelerated and has virtually no measurable performance impact. On older Intel Macs without T2 chips, there can be a slight performance impact (1-5%) from software-based encryption, but it's generally not noticeable during normal use. The security benefit far outweighs the minimal performance cost. Apple has essentially made FileVault the default security baseline — it's enabled automatically on Apple Silicon Macs during setup.

What happened to Boxcryptor after Dropbox acquired it?

Dropbox acquired Boxcryptor's technology and key personnel in December 2022 to enhance Dropbox's own encryption capabilities. As a result, Boxcryptor stopped accepting new customers and eventually wound down the commercial product. Existing users were given migration timelines. The best replacement is Cryptomator — an open-source, free cloud encryption tool that works with all cloud providers (not just Dropbox) and is actively maintained. Cryptomator uses AES-256 encryption, is audited by security researchers, and its source code is public. For enterprise needs, Tresorit and NordLocker are commercial Boxcryptor alternatives with continued support.

Editor's Take

Real talk: I've seen teams waste months debating Filevault vs Boxcryptor. Both are good. Pick the one that feels right in the first 30 minutes of using it. Your gut is usually correct here.

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Last updated: April 10, 2026