age
Encrypt files with age, a tool and Go library that uses small explicit keys and avoids configuration options.
About age
age is an open source file encryption tool, file format, and Go library designed for simple, secure file encryption. It uses small explicit keys, has no configuration options, supports UNIX-style composability, and includes post-quantum cryptographic support. It can encrypt to age public keys, SSH public keys, or passphrases, and supports plugins for hardware such as YubiKeys. Interoperable alternative implementations exist in Rust and TypeScript, with the TypeScript version working in browsers, Node.js, Deno, and Bun.
Key features
- Small explicit keys with no configuration options
- Encrypts to age keys, SSH keys, or passphrases
- Includes post-quantum cryptographic support
- UNIX-style composability for pipeline workflows
- Plugin support for hardware PIV tokens like YubiKeys
- Distributed as a Go library for tool integration
Best for: Developers and users needing simple, config-free file encryption with cross-tool interoperability.
Good for
- Open source with a publicly available format specification
- No configuration options reduce potential for user error
- Supports multiple recipient types for flexible encryption workflows
age at a glance
- Website
- github.com/FiloSottile/age
- Category
- Software & Utilities › File Utilities
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Guides for File Utilities
age alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
Picocrypt-NG encrypts files, with its project describing the tool as small and simple.
Open source
24 alternatives
PeaZip is a cross-platform archive manager for opening and extracting ZIP and RAR files, with additional archive features.
Open source
24 alternatives
Cryptomator provides client-side encryption for cloud storage on Windows, macOS, and Linux, according to its project page.
FreeOpen source
24 alternatives
VERNAM encrypts files in the browser; its project says processing happens client-side and files are not uploaded.
Encrypt files for cloud storage with Cryptomator, an open-source tool listed for services including Dropbox and Google Drive.
Freemium
13 alternatives
Use WinRAR on Windows to compress and encrypt files, open RAR and ZIP archives, and process other formats.
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age FAQ
What recipient types can age use for encryption?
Age public keys, SSH public keys, or a passphrase.
Does age support hardware security keys?
Yes, via the age-plugin-yubikey plugin for PIV tokens like YubiKeys.
Are there alternative age implementations available?
Yes, including Rust (rage) and TypeScript (Typage) versions, with Typage working in browsers, Node.js, Deno, and Bun.
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