AES Crypt review

AES Crypt does one thing: it encrypts a file with a password using AES, and decrypts it again. That narrow scope is its appeal for people who find VeraCrypt or Gpg4win too involved. Terrapane has published it for 20 years and reports over a million downloads. The desktop and command-line apps run on Windows, macOS, Linux and BSD, and Windows users can install it with winget. Pricing is unusual for this category: after a 30-day free trial, you buy a perpetual license for US$39.99, with no subscription, and it covers all future desktop and server updates. Larger orders cost less per license, down to US$19.99 at 1,000 or more. Mobile versions are sold separately through Google Play and the App Store, and Terrapane notes the iOS app comes from a third-party developer. There is no vault, drive or cloud sync, so it suits occasional file-by-file encryption rather than protecting a whole folder you use every day.

Who it is for

buyers who want a one-time license instead of a subscription

Price

US$39.99 one-time desktop license (1 to 19 licenses); 30-day free trial.

1 - 19 US$39.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 14, 2026.

Key features

• Encrypts single files with the AES standard
• Desktop and command-line versions for Windows, macOS, Linux and BSD
• Perpetual license valid for all future desktop and server updates
• Install on Windows with winget install Terrapane.AESCrypt
• Source code available for inspection in public Git repositories

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No subscription: one license covers Windows, Mac, Linux and BSD
• Strength: 30-day free trial of the desktop version
• Strength: Volume pricing drops to US$19.99 per license at 1,000 or more
• Weakness: Mobile versions are sold separately through the app stores
• Weakness: The iOS app is from a third party, not Terrapane
• Weakness: Encrypts files one by one, with no vault, drive or cloud sync

Key facts

• Price: US$39.99 one-time
• Free trial: 30 days
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD
• License: Perpetual, includes updates

Where it ranks

AES Crypt is No. 8 in our Best File Encryption Software verdict.