# Alternatives to NordLocker

NordLocker, from the makers of NordVPN, creates password-protected encrypted folders (lockers) on the user's device using AES-256 and Argon2, with drag-and-drop file/folder encryption and optional end-to-end encrypted cloud sync. It targets consumers and small teams who want a polished, mainstream alternative to manual container tools.

NordLocker ranks #10 of 11 in File encryption tools, with an Alt Score of 50. It is proprietary, freemium and available on Windows, Android, iOS, Web and Browser extension. 8 of 9 checklist rows are verified against a public source.

Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/nordlocker/
Category: File encryption tools

## Where NordLocker stands out

- **Container / volume encryption** — 4 of 11 apps with a verified answer have this

## Overview

- **Who it's for**: Individuals and small businesses (the site calls out lawyers, healthcare, and financial-services use cases) who want to store and share sensitive files without the storage provider being able to see their contents.
- **What you get**: Encrypted cloud storage organized into 'lockers' (end-to-end encrypted folders), private file sharing via password-protected links or invited collaborators, a free 3 GB tier, and paid 500 GB / 2 TB tiers with apps for Windows, Android, iOS, and browser-based web access.
- **How it works**: Files placed in a locker are encrypted on the user's device using AES-256, xChaCha20-Poly1305, and Ed25519, with keys derived from the user's master password so NordLocker itself cannot read the contents (zero-knowledge architecture). Users can then choose which lockers, folders, or individual files to sync to NordLocker's cloud versus keep local-only, and access is recovered only via the master password or an auto-generated recovery key.

## Profile

- **License**: Proprietary (verified 2026-07-30)
- **Pricing model**: Freemium (verified 2026-07-30)
- **Platforms**: Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Browser extension
- **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-30)

## Ranked alternatives

| # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms |
|---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------|
| 1 | [VeraCrypt](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/veracrypt.md) | 75 | Apache-2.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 2 | [AxCrypt](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/axcrypt.md) | 70 | ? | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 3 | [BestCrypt Container Encryption](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/bestcrypt-container-encryption.md) | 70 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| 4 | [AES Crypt](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/aes-crypt.md) | 65 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| 5 | [age](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/age.md) | 65 | BSD-3-Clause | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 6 | [Cryptomator](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/cryptomator.md) | 65 | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 7 | [Kryptor](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/kryptor.md) | 65 | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 8 | [Gpg4win](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/gpg4win.md) | 55 | GPL | Windows |
| 9 | [Tomb](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/tomb.md) | 50 | GPL-3.0 | Linux, Windows |
| 10 | [DiskCryptor](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/diskcryptor.md) | 40 | GPL-3.0 | Windows |

Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/

## Feature comparison

Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified).

| File encryption tools checklist | NordLocker | VeraCrypt | AxCrypt | BestCrypt Container Encryption | AES Crypt | age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free | Freemium | Subscription | One-time | Free |
| Starts at | ? | Free | ? | ? | $39.99 | Free |
| License | Proprietary | Apache-2.0 | ? | Proprietary | Proprietary | BSD-3-Clause |
| Platforms | Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Browser extension | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Container / volume encryption | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | No | No |
| Per-file encryption | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud-friendly (per-file sync) | Yes | No | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Open source & audited | No | Yes | Partial | Partial | Partial | Partial |
| Hidden volumes | No | Yes | No | Yes | ? | No |
| Key files support | No | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Password strength enforcement | ? | Partial | Partial | No | ? | No |
| CLI | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |

## Sources

Sources for NordLocker. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.

- **Pricing model**: Freemium — <https://nordlocker.com/plans/> (verified 2026-07-30)
  - Note: Free 3 GB tier plus paid 500 GB and 2 TB tiers on 1-month or 1-year billing.
  - Quote: “3 GB Free - / month for a lifetime Get started No credit card required”
- **License**: Proprietary — <https://nordlocker.com/features/> (verified 2026-07-30)
  - Note: No LICENSE file or public source repo exists for the client apps; site publishes only a copyright footer, no open-source license text anywhere on nordlocker.com.
  - Quote: “Copyright © 2026 NordLocker.com”
- **Status**: active — <https://nordlocker.com/features/> (verified 2026-07-30)
  - Note: Site, checkout (order.nordlocker.com) and pricing pages are live and current-dated; product is actively sold.
  - Quote: “Copyright © 2026 NordLocker.com”
- **Platforms**: Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Browser extension — <https://nordlocker.com/download/windows/> (verified 2026-07-30)
  - Note: Same enumerated list repeats on /download/web-access/. No macOS or Linux app is listed anywhere in current nav/marketing pages, even though a legacy macOS .pkg is still hosted on Nord's CDN (not linke
  - Quote: “Available on all devices and platforms Chrome Firefox Edge Safari Android iOS Windows”
- **Container / volume encryption**: Yes — <https://nordlocker.com/features/zero-knowledge-encryption/> (verified 2026-07-30)
  - Note: NordLocker's container unit is called a 'locker' - an encrypted folder you place files into.
  - Quote: “In NordLocker, your data is stored in lockers (end-to-end encrypted folders).”
- **Per-file encryption**: Yes — <https://nordlocker.com/download/ios/> (verified 2026-07-30)
  - Note: Confirmed also by the cloud-sync page, which lets users pick individual lockers/folders/files for cloud-only vs local+cloud storage - only possible if files are encrypted/handled individually, not as
  - Quote: “NordLocker Cloud allows you to encrypt specific files and folders, back them up, and sync them across different devices and operating systems.”
- **Cloud-friendly (per-file sync)**: Yes — <https://nordlocker.com/features/cloud-sync/> (verified 2026-07-30)
  - Note: Sync is to NordLocker's own proprietary cloud, not third-party drives like Dropbox/Google Drive.
  - Quote: “On PCs, you can choose which lockers, folders, and files to sync (store on the cloud and download to your devices) and which to store on the cloud only.”
- **Cross-platform**: Yes — <https://nordlocker.com/download/windows/> (verified 2026-07-30)
  - Note: Cross-platform here means Windows desktop + Android/iOS + browser access; no macOS or Linux native app found.
  - Quote: “With NordLocker’s cross-platform access and synchronization, you don’t need to worry about which device you’re using to access and manage your secure data storage.”
- **Open source & audited**: No — <https://nordlocker.com/features/> (verified 2026-07-30)
  - Note: This FAQ is the page's own summary of NordLocker's security approach; it names algorithms but never mentions open-source code, a public repo, or an independent third-party audit. No mention of open so
  - Quote: “What security methods does NordLocker use? NordLocker combines AES-256, xChaCha20-Poly1305, and Ed25519 encryption algorithms to optimize file security and privacy.”
- **Hidden volumes**: No — <https://nordlocker.com/features/zero-knowledge-encryption/> (verified 2026-07-30)
  - Note: Page enumerates the only two ways into an account/locker (master password, recovery key); no hidden-volume/deniable-container concept exists in the product.
  - Quote: “The master password you created and the auto-generated recovery key are the only ways to get to your files.”
- **Key files support**: No — <https://nordlocker.com/features/zero-knowledge-encryption/> (verified 2026-07-30)
  - Note: Same enumeration of unlock methods; no keyfile-based unlock option is mentioned anywhere on the site.
  - Quote: “The master password you created and the auto-generated recovery key are the only ways to get to your files.”
- **CLI**: No — <https://nordlocker.com/download/windows/> (verified 2026-07-30)
  - Note: This is the site's own enumeration of every supported app/access method; no command-line tool is listed.
  - Quote: “Available on all devices and platforms Chrome Firefox Edge Safari Android iOS Windows”

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Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/