Secure any file easily.

Effortless encryption and decryption of your files and folders.
Two formats, one drag: OpenSSL-compatible archives that open anywhere, and Apple Encrypted Archives with built-in integrity verification.

◎ No account required ◎ Local-only encryption ◎ OpenSSL & .aea formats
Overview

Everything you need to lock down your files

Strong encryption, simple workflows, and a smooth macOS experience designed for individuals, professionals, and teams.

Simple file & folder encryption

Drag and drop any file or folder to encrypt or decrypt with a single click. No command line, no setup.

Smart key management

Generate, store, and reuse encryption keys securely within the app for repeat operations and team workflows.

Batch operations

Encrypt or decrypt entire batches of files with the same key. Ideal for project hand-offs and backups.

Fast for large files

Optimized for big media, archives, and datasets. Secure gigabytes of data without slowing down your Mac.

Features

A rich and innovative feature set

Two open archive formats

Write OpenSSL-compatible archives that open on Windows and Linux, or Apple Encrypted Archives (.aea) with integrity verification built in. No lock-in, no proprietary formats — compare them.

Encrypt whole folders as a single archive

Bundle complex directory structures into a single encrypted archive. Perfect for sharing projects or storing sensitive backups.

Filename encryption

Hide more than just file contents. Encrypt filenames to prevent client names, project codes, and metadata from leaking.

Encryption history

Keep track of what you encrypted and decrypted with a built-in history panel, useful for audits and compliance.

Finder integration

Use macOS quick actions to encrypt and decrypt directly from Finder. Right-click, choose your key, done.

Easy sharing of encrypted files & keys

Export encrypted files and reusable keys through secure flows so teammates and clients can decrypt with confidence.

Key Guessing

Quickly identify which of your existing keys can decrypt a file. A simple way to recover access when the correct key is not immediately known.

Encrypted File Preview

Provides secure previews while keeping the underlying data protected, allowing safer validation before full decryption. A practical way to confirm a file before unlocking it.

Cloud-Integrated

Works seamlessly with cloud storage services integrated into Finder. A simple way to keep your workflow secure across both local and cloud storage.

Formats

Pick the format that fits the job

Cryptarix writes two open, well-documented archive formats. You choose per operation — one favours reach, the other favours integrity.

OpenSSL compatible

.enc

The universal option. Anything that speaks OpenSSL can open it.

  • Decrypts on Windows, Linux, and BSD with standard OpenSSL
  • AES-256 symmetric encryption
  • No dependency on Apple frameworks or a specific macOS version
  • No built-in tamper detection — a modified archive decrypts to garbage rather than raising an error

Choose this when the recipient may not be on a Mac, or you want the file readable by command-line tools years from now.

Apple Encrypted Archive

.aea

Apple's native encrypted archive format, built on the AppleArchive framework.

  • Authenticated encryption — corruption and tampering are detected before decryption
  • Compression and encryption in a single streaming pass
  • Opens with Apple's built-in aea command-line tool, no third-party software needed
  • Apple platforms only (macOS 12 Monterey and later)

Choose this when everyone involved is on Apple hardware and you want the archive to prove it hasn't been altered.

How it works

From plain file to fully encrypted in three steps

Designed for everyday use. Whether you encrypt once a month or fifty times a day, the workflow stays fast and predictable.

Step 1

Drop your files or folders

Drag your files or entire directories into the app — or start from Finder with the built-in context actions.

Step 2

Pick a key

Select an existing reusable key or create a new one. Keys are stored securely in the macOS Keychain and organized for later use..

Step 3

Encrypt or decrypt

Click once to encrypt or decrypt. Large files, folder archives, and batches are handled quickly and reliably.

Security

Built on proven cryptography and private by design

No accounts, no cloud, no tracking. Encryption happens entirely on your Mac, using industry-standard algorithms and open archive formats — OpenSSL compatible or Apple Encrypted Archive.

✓
AES-256 encryption
Uses battle-tested symmetric encryption in both supported formats, so your data is protected by algorithms that have been publicly reviewed for decades.
✓
Authenticated encryption
Apple Encrypted Archives carry integrity protection, so an altered or corrupted file is detected and rejected rather than silently decrypting into unusable data.
✓
Local-only processing
Files are never uploaded or sent anywhere. Everything stays on your Mac.
✓
Isolated key storage
Encryption keys are managed inside the app and stored in macos Keychain, separated from encrypted data for safer handling.
✓
Metadata & filename protection
Optional filename encryption prevents leaks through folder and file names.
✓
Audit-friendly history
Keep a record of your encryption and decryption operations for internal tracking and compliance.
Screens

A quick look inside the app

Cryptarix encryption panel with files queued for encryption
Encryption
Cryptarix decryption panel showing an archive being unlocked
Decryption
Key management screen listing saved encryption keys
Keys management
Encryption history showing past encrypt and decrypt operations
History
Finder quick actions menu with Cryptarix encrypt and decrypt options
Finder Actions
Cryptarix integrated into the macOS Finder toolbar
Finder Integration
Designed for real work

Built for professionals, simple enough for everyone

Whether you’re securing client work, source code, or personal documents, Cryptarix fits naturally into your macOS workflow.

Designers & creatives

Protect client projects and assets.

Encrypt project folders, exports, and deliverables before sharing with clients or agencies — no more unprotected ZIPs.

Developers & engineers

Secure source code and secrets.

Lock down configuration files, API keys, and private repos using reusable keys and batch encryption.

Legal, finance & ops

Keep sensitive documents private.

Encrypt contracts, reports, and internal files with filename protection to avoid leaking client or case names.

Teams & agencies

Align on shared keys and workflows.

Use shared keys with OpenSSL-compatible archives when the team spans macOS, Windows, and Linux — or Apple Encrypted Archives when everyone is on a Mac and you want tamper detection.

Freelancers & consultants

Work securely with any client.

Hand over projects as encrypted bundles and share keys via secure channels, keeping both sides protected.

Personal backups

Own your privacy at home.

Encrypt photos, documents, and archives before storing them on external drives or cloud sync services.

Video

How-to

Encrypt files and folders
Decrypt files and folders
Sharing an encrypted file and its associated key in separate messages
Decrypt file in finder
FAQ

Answers to common questions

If you have more questions, reach out — we’re happy to help you set up a secure workflow that fits how you work.

Which encryption algorithms does Cryptarix use?

Modern symmetric encryption (AES-256) in both supported formats. The OpenSSL-compatible format can be decrypted with standard OpenSSL tools; Apple Encrypted Archives use Apple's AppleArchive framework, which adds authentication on top of the same cipher strength.

Can I decrypt files on Windows or Linux?

Yes, when you encrypt to the OpenSSL-compatible format — with the key and parameters, any OpenSSL install will open it. Apple Encrypted Archives are an Apple-platform format and are best used when everyone involved is on macOS or iOS. You pick the format per operation.

Which format should I choose?

Choose OpenSSL when the recipient might not be on a Mac, or when you want the archive readable by standard command-line tools far into the future. Choose Apple Encrypted Archive when you're staying inside the Apple ecosystem and want integrity verification built into the file itself.

Can I open .aea files without Cryptarix?

Yes. Apple Encrypted Archive is a documented Apple format, so any tool built on the AppleArchive framework can read it — including the aea command-line tool that ships with macOS 12 and later. You are never dependent on Cryptarix to get your data back.

Do my files ever leave my machine?

No. Cryptarix runs fully on-device. Files are never uploaded or sent to external servers.

Where are encryption keys stored?

Keys are stored within the app’s secure key management system on your Mac. You can export and share keys manually when needed.

Is filename encryption mandatory?

No. You can enable or disable filename encryption per operation, depending on whether you want to hide metadata.

Can Cryptarix handle very large files?

Yes. Cryptarix is optimized to work with large files and archives (more than 10GB) and takes advantage of modern macOS hardware.

Download

Start encrypting in minutes

Download Cryptarix for macOS, generate your first key, and encrypt your first folder in under five minutes.

Mac App Store Support