CryFS vs Cryptomator CLI
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | CryFS | Cryptomator CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 81 · Excellent | 65 · Good |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | LGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, binary | binary, docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,306 | ★ 429 |
| First released | 2015 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Boxcryptor | Boxcryptor |
What are CryFS and Cryptomator CLI?
CryFS
CryFS is an encrypted filesystem that hides file contents, metadata, and directory structure, making it ideal for placing inside a synced cloud folder. It splits data into equally sized blocks so the structure of your files stays private.
- Hides directory structure
- Block-based encryption
- Works inside cloud folders
- Cross-platform mounting
Cryptomator CLI
Cryptomator CLI is the command-line edition of Cryptomator, providing transparent client-side encryption of files before they reach cloud storage. It is suited to headless servers protecting synced data.
- Client-side encryption
- Headless operation
- Transparent vaults
- Cloud-agnostic
CryFS vs Cryptomator CLI: key differences
CryFS is written in C++, while Cryptomator CLI is built with Java. Licensing differs — LGPL-3.0 for CryFS versus GPL-3.0 for Cryptomator CLI. CryFS is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Cryptomator CLI. CryFS is the more established project (first released 2015), while Cryptomator CLI arrived in 2017. CryFS has the considerably larger community, at 2,306 GitHub stars versus 429. Cryptomator CLI lists first-class Docker deployment; CryFS does not.
Why pick each one
Choose CryFS if…
- Strong metadata protection
- Pairs with any sync tool
Watch out for
- FUSE setup required
- Slower than plain storage
Choose Cryptomator CLI if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Java
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is CryFS or Cryptomator CLI better?
Neither is universally better. CryFS has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are CryFS and Cryptomator CLI free and open-source?
Yes. CryFS is licensed under LGPL-3.0 and Cryptomator CLI under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run CryFS and Cryptomator CLI with Docker?
CryFS: check the project docs for container support. Cryptomator CLI: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, CryFS or Cryptomator CLI?
CryFS has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Cryptomator CLI. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.