© 2026 José Carrillo
Zefer vs Cryptomator
Encrypted files for sharing vs transparent cloud storage encryption. Complementary tools.
TL;DR
Zefer encrypts individual files for sharing with others (browser, no installation). Cryptomator creates encrypted vaults that sync transparently with Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive (requires desktop app). They don't compete: Zefer is for sharing, Cryptomator is for storage.
Zefer
- AES-256-GCM + PBKDF2-SHA256
- Configurable PBKDF2: 300k / 600k / 1M iterations
- 7 security layers inside the encrypted payload
- Built-in password generator/analyzer and .zefer inspector
- CLI with an MCP server for AI agents
- WCAG 2.1 AA, PWA, dark/light mode
Cryptomator
- AES-256 + scrypt for key derivation
- Desktop + mobile app
- Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive integration
- Transparent virtual vault
Feature comparison
| Feature | Zefer | Cryptomator |
|---|---|---|
| Strong encryption (256-bit) | ||
| Open source (MIT) | ||
| 100% browser-based | ||
| File expiration | ||
| Dual passphrase | ||
| Reveal key | ||
| Secret question | ||
| Cloud storage integration | ||
| Desktop application | ||
| Transparent vault (auto-encrypt) | ||
| Password generator & analysis | ||
| Encrypted-file inspector | ||
| AI integration (MCP server) |
Encryption model
Zefer encrypts individual files that download as .zefer for sharing. Cryptomator creates a virtual vault on your file system where everything you save is automatically encrypted and synced with your cloud service. These are fundamentally different models: one for sharing, one for storage.
Cloud integration
Cryptomator works as an encryption layer on top of your existing cloud storage. Zefer has no cloud integration because it doesn't need one: you encrypt a file, download it, and share it through whatever channel you prefer. If your priority is protecting files in the cloud, Cryptomator is the choice. If you need to share encrypted files with access control, Zefer is the choice.
User experience
Zefer works in any modern browser with no installation, with PWA and responsive design. Cryptomator requires installing a native app on desktop (free) or mobile ($15 on iOS/Android). Zefer is accessible from any device instantly; Cryptomator needs installation on each device.
Choose Zefer if...
- You need files to expire automatically
- You want multiple security layers (dual key, secret question, IP)
- You share sensitive credentials with teams
- You need an installable PWA with full accessibility
Choose Cryptomator if...
- You need to encrypt your cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive)
- You want transparent, automatic file encryption
- You prefer a native app with file system integration