Here’s a list of 21 most popular 100% genuinely open-source cryptographic applications along with their primary features:
1. OpenSSL
- Implements SSL/TLS protocols for secure communication
- Provides cryptographic functions (AES, RSA, SHA, etc.)
- Supports certificate generation and management
2. GnuPG (GPG – GNU Privacy Guard)
- Open-source implementation of PGP encryption
- Supports symmetric and asymmetric encryption
- Used for secure email, file encryption, and digital signatures
3. WireGuard
- Lightweight, high-performance VPN protocol
- Uses modern cryptographic algorithms (ChaCha20, Poly1305)
- Simpler and faster than traditional VPNs (OpenVPN, IPsec)
4. OpenVPN
- Secure VPN solution for private and anonymous browsing
- Uses SSL/TLS for encryption
- Supports authentication via certificates and pre-shared keys
5. VeraCrypt
- Open-source disk encryption software
- Supports AES, Twofish, Serpent encryption
- Hidden volume feature for plausible deniability
6. LUKS (Linux Unified Key Setup)
- Standard for disk encryption in Linux
- Supports multiple user keys
- Uses AES encryption for full-disk protection
7. OpenSSH
- Secure shell (SSH) protocol for encrypted remote access
- Supports key-based authentication and secure file transfers
- Prevents eavesdropping and MITM attacks
8. Tails OS
- Privacy-focused live Linux distribution
- Forces all internet traffic through Tor for anonymity
- Encrypts all user data with LUKS
9. Tor (The Onion Router)
- Anonymizes internet traffic using layered encryption
- Protects against traffic analysis and surveillance
- Decentralized relay network for privacy
10. Matrix (Element)
- Decentralized, end-to-end encrypted messaging
- Open-source alternative to Slack & Microsoft Teams
- Supports voice, video calls, and file sharing
11. Signal Protocol (Used in Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram Secret Chats)
- Provides end-to-end encryption for messages and calls
- Uses Double Ratchet Algorithm for perfect forward secrecy
- Open-source cryptographic library for secure messaging
12. age (Actually Good Encryption)
- Modern alternative to GPG for file encryption
- Uses Curve25519, ChaCha20, and Poly1305
- Simple and easy to use
13. KeePassXC
- Open-source password manager
- Encrypts passwords using AES-256
- Supports two-factor authentication (2FA) and key file access
14. Bitwarden
- Secure password manager with end-to-end encryption
- Self-hostable alternative to LastPass
- Open-source browser extensions and mobile apps
15. Rclone
- Encrypted cloud storage synchronization tool
- Works with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.
- Supports server-side encryption for cloud files
16. Cryptomator
- Open-source client-side encryption for cloud storage
- Compatible with Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive
- Uses AES encryption with transparent vault access
17. OpenPGP.js
- JavaScript library for OpenPGP encryption
- Allows secure email encryption in web applications
- Uses RSA, ECC, and AES cryptographic algorithms
18. Hashcat
- Open-source password cracking tool for security testing
- Supports GPU acceleration for faster cracking
- Compatible with multiple hashing algorithms (MD5, SHA, bcrypt)
19. Pass (Unix Password Store)
- Lightweight command-line password manager
- Uses GPG encryption for password storage
- Git integration for version control of passwords
20. Sequoia PGP
- Modern, Rust-based implementation of OpenPGP
- Secure and modular design
- Focused on ease of use and extensibility
21. OpenSC
- Open-source smart card and cryptographic token library
- Supports PKCS#11 and smart card authentication
- Used for secure login and digital signatures
All of these projects are 100% open-source and have active development communities. Would you like recommendations on which tools to use for specific cryptographic use cases? 🚀