# VeraCrypt

> Source: https://fuckyc.org/services/veracrypt/
> Website: https://veracrypt.io/
> Categories: Encryption tools
> KYC: none — Free open-source disk and volume encryption tool. No accounts, no telemetry. Successor to TrueCrypt.
> Status: active
> Jurisdiction: independent open source (IDRIX, France)
> Fiat on-ramp: no
> Payment methods: donation
> Founded: 2013
> Open source: yes
> Custodial: no
> Last verified: 2026-05-12

## Verdict

VeraCrypt is the open-source disk and volume encryption tool. The hidden-volume feature is the distinctive property — plausible deniability for users who specifically need it. For most users, native FDE (BitLocker, FileVault, LUKS) is sufficient; VeraCrypt is for the cases where a portable encrypted container or plausible deniability are the requirements.

## Strengths

- Full-disk encryption, container files, and hidden volumes (plausible deniability).
- Successor to the audited TrueCrypt codebase; the 2014 audit found no major flaws.
- Cross-platform — Windows, macOS, Linux.

## Caveats

- Hidden-volume security depends on operator discipline — don't write to the outer volume after creating the hidden one.
- Slower than native FDE (BitLocker, FileVault, LUKS) on some workloads.
- macOS and Linux versions occasionally lag Windows on features.

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## What VeraCrypt is

Free open-source disk encryption with full-disk, container, and hidden-volume modes.

## Threat-model fit

When you need a portable encrypted volume, plausible deniability, or you don't trust native FDE.

## Sources

- [VeraCrypt documentation](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Documentation.html) — accessed 2026-05-12
- [VeraCrypt 2016 audit report](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/VeraCrypt%20Audit.html) — accessed 2026-05-12