We recommend you use:

  • VeraCrypt to share encrypted files across different operating systems.
  • LUKS to encrypt files for Tails and Linux.
LUKSVeraCrypt
CompatibilityLinuxWindows + macOS + Linux
Create new volumesYesOutside of Tails
Open and modify existing volumesYesYes
Encrypted partitions (or entire disks) ¹YesYes
Encrypted file containers ¹Complicated Easy
Plausible deniability ²NoYes
Ease of useEasierMore complicated
SpeedFasterSlower

  1. See the difference between file containers and partitions.

  2. Plausible deniability: in some cases (for example, with VeraCrypt hidden volumes), it is impossible for an adversary to technically prove the existence of an encrypted volume.

    Still, deniable encryption might not protect you if you are forced to reveal the existence of the encrypted volume. See: