--- title: "Firevault vs FileVault: the key differences | Firevault" description: "Firevault vs Apple FileVault: FileVault encrypts a live disk; Firevault physically disconnects owned storage outside authorised access periods." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/#organization", "name": "Firevault", "legalName": "Firevault Limited", "url": "https://fire-vault.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://fire-vault.com/logo.png", "width": 200, "height": 60 }, "foundingDate": "2025-03", "description": "Protect what matters with Offline Secure Storage and control what moves with Control by Firevault. 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Firevault is an offline secure storage platform built by Firevault Limited. It physically disconnects your data from all networks using a Layer 1 physical air gap. Apple FileVault is a disk encryption feature built into macOS that encrypts your Mac's hard drive using AES-XTS. They are in entirely different product categories." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Firevault replace Apple FileVault?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "They serve different purposes and are used together as part of a defence-in-depth strategy. Apple FileVault encrypts a single device's hard drive. Firevault provides a physically disconnected, identity-locked vault for your most sensitive and irreplaceable assets. Use FileVault on your Mac as standard practice. Use Firevault for the data that matters most." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Why do search engines confuse Firevault with FileVault?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The names are phonetically similar, but the products are fundamentally different. Firevault (one word, with a capital V) is an offline secure storage platform. FileVault (two words) is Apple's disk encryption for macOS. Firevault protects data through physical disconnection. FileVault protects data through software encryption. They operate in completely different categories." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can Apple FileVault protect against ransomware?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Apple FileVault encrypts your disk at rest but does not prevent ransomware. If malware executes on your Mac, it can encrypt your files on top of FileVault's existing encryption, rendering them inaccessible. Firevault takes a different approach: by physically disconnecting your data from all networks, ransomware simply cannot reach it. You cannot breach what is not connected." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which should I use: Firevault or Apple FileVault?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Both, for different layers of protection. Use Apple FileVault to encrypt your Mac's hard drive, as it is good security hygiene. Use Firevault to protect your most valuable and irreplaceable data: contracts, intellectual property, evidence, crown jewel assets, and files that would cause catastrophic damage if breached. Firevault adds the physical disconnection layer that encryption alone cannot provide." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is Firevault?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Firevault is an offline secure storage platform built for global resilience. It physically disconnects your data from all networks using a Layer 1 physical air gap, stores it in CNI-grade Firevault Bunkers, and locks access behind multi-factor identity verification. Firevault offers three products: the Vault (a digital safe deposit box for individuals), Storage (scalable offline capacity for businesses), and the Platform (enterprise-grade offline infrastructure)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is Apple FileVault?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Apple FileVault is a full-disk encryption feature built into macOS. It uses AES-XTS encryption to protect the contents of your Mac's startup disk. FileVault is enabled through System Settings and is protected by your macOS login password. It is a device-level encryption tool, not a storage platform or data vault." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Firevault protect against data breaches?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Firevault prevents data breaches by removing the attack surface entirely. Your data is stored on dedicated hardware that is physically disconnected from all networks: no internet, no intranet, no Wi-Fi. There is no digital path for attackers to exploit. Access only occurs during authorised connectivity windows that you control. This is pre-breach prevention through physics, not promises." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is Firevault available outside the UK?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Firevault is a UK-headquartered company with Firevault Bunkers in carefully selected colocation facilities across multiple locations. See /bunkers for the current footprint. The platform serves organisations and individuals globally, with clear jurisdictional boundaries supporting GDPR, NIS2, and domestic regulatory compliance." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much does Firevault cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Firevault offers plans starting from £74.99 per month for LUV, the 300GB occasional-use vault. Storage and Platform products are priced based on capacity and requirements. Visit the Firevault website to explore pricing and create your vault." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/why-oss/firevault-vs-filevault#webpage", "url": "https://fire-vault.com/why-oss/firevault-vs-filevault", "name": "Firevault vs FileVault: the key differences", "description": "Firevault vs Apple FileVault: FileVault encrypts a live disk; Firevault physically disconnects owned storage outside authorised access periods.", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/#website" }, "about": { "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/#organization" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://fire-vault.com/images/og/og-base-platform.jpg" }, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/why-oss/firevault-vs-filevault#breadcrumb" } } ] --- Recent Breaches Breaches [2026 PowerSchool 62.4M records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 DISA Global Solutions 3.3M records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Globe Life 850K records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Co-operative Group 6.5M records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Harrods Attempted intrusion ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Legal Aid Agency (Ministry of Justice) 2.1M records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Adidas UK Customer contact details ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Peter Green Chilled Order and logistics data ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Jaguar Land Rover Production and IT systems disru... ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Collins Aerospace (RTX) Check-in and boarding disruptio... ](/learn/breaches)[2026 PowerSchool 62.4M records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 DISA Global Solutions 3.3M records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Globe Life 850K records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Co-operative Group 6.5M records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Harrods Attempted intrusion ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Legal Aid Agency (Ministry of Justice) 2.1M records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Adidas UK Customer contact details ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Peter Green Chilled Order and logistics data ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Jaguar Land Rover Production and IT systems disru... ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Collins Aerospace (RTX) Check-in and boarding disruptio... ](/learn/breaches) [View All →](/learn/breaches) [![Firevault - offline secure storage, physically disconnected from the internet](/assets/logo-color-DBVl0KCg.png)](/) Products Solutions [Why OSS](/why-oss) More [Help](/help)[Get started](/get-started) Disambiguation # Firevault Is Not Apple FileVault The names sound similar but the products are fundamentally different. **Firevault** is an offline secure storage platform built for global resilience. **Apple FileVault** is disk encryption software for macOS. One physically disconnects your data from all networks using a Layer 1 physical air gap. The other encrypts a single hard drive that remains connected to the internet. [Explore the Firevault Vault](/vault)[How Firevault Works](/why-oss) ## Firevault vs FileVault at a Glance Two products. Two companies. Two completely different approaches to protecting data. ### Firevault Offline Secure Storage Platform - Physically disconnects data from all networks - Layer 1 physical air gap, not software based - Stored in CNI-grade Firevault Bunkers - Identity-locked multi-factor vault access - Immune to ransomware and remote attacks - RAID 1 resilience with Vault Buddy succession - Enterprise and individual, platform agnostic - Built by Firevault Limited ### Apple FileVault macOS Disk Encryption, USA - Encrypts a single Mac hard drive - Software-based AES-XTS encryption - Data remains on your connected laptop - Protected by macOS login password - Vulnerable to ransomware encrypting over it - No succession or resilience features - macOS only, not available on other platforms - Built by Apple Inc., United States About Firevault ## What Is Firevault? **Firevault** is an offline secure storage platform designed and built by Firevault Limited. It provides physically disconnected storage for individuals and organisations who need to protect their most sensitive and irreplaceable data from cyber attacks, ransomware, data breaches, insider threats, and human error. Unlike cloud storage, backup solutions, or encryption software, Firevault uses a **Layer 1 physical air gap** to completely disconnect your data from all networks. There is no internet connection, no intranet connection, and no wireless connection. The physical cable is disconnected at the hardware level until you authorise access through multi-factor identity verification. Data is stored in dedicated **Firevault Bunkers**, CNI-grade secure facilities with 24/7 physical security, climate control, fire suppression, and redundant power. Each vault uses RAID 1 mirrored drives for hardware resilience and includes Vault Buddy succession planning to ensure continuity beyond your lifetime. Firevault offers three products: the [Vault](/vault) (a digital safe deposit box for individuals), [Storage](/storage) (scalable offline capacity for businesses), and [Control](/control) (enterprise-grade data path governance). All three are built on the same physically disconnected architecture. Firevault Architecture ## How Firevault Protects Your Data Six architectural pillars that make Firevault fundamentally different from any encryption software, cloud service, or backup solution. ### Layer 1 Physical Air Gap Your data is physically disconnected from all networks at the cable level. No software, no VPN, no firewall: the connection does not exist until you authorise it. ### Firevault Bunkers Data is stored in CNI-grade secure facilities with 24/7 physical security, climate control, and redundant power. Not on a laptop, not in a data centre rack. ### Identity-Locked Access Multi-factor identity verification ensures only you can authorise connection to your vault. No shared passwords, no admin overrides, no third-party access. ### Governed Access Windows Connectivity windows add governance by design. Access happens on your schedule, preventing impulsive or unauthorised retrieval. Security through architecture, not policy. ### RAID 1 Resilience Every vault uses mirrored drives for hardware resilience. If a drive fails, your data survives. Combined with Vault Buddy succession for continuity beyond your lifetime. ### Three Products, One Platform Choose from the Vault (digital safe deposit box), Storage (scalable offline capacity), or Platform (enterprise offline infrastructure). All physically disconnected. About Apple FileVault ## What Is Apple FileVault? Apple FileVault is a full-disk encryption feature built into macOS. It uses AES-XTS encryption to protect the contents of your Mac's startup disk. When enabled, FileVault encrypts all data on the drive and requires your login password (or a recovery key) to unlock the disk at startup. FileVault is enabled through macOS System Settings and is available on all modern Mac computers. It is a device-level security feature: it protects data on one specific machine. If you have multiple devices, each must be encrypted separately. FileVault does not provide network isolation, remote access control, or physical security for your data. FileVault is good security hygiene. Apple recommends enabling it on all Mac computers. However, it is important to understand what FileVault does and does not do: it encrypts your disk, but your Mac remains connected to the internet. Ransomware, phishing attacks, and credential theft can still compromise your data while the machine is running. FileVault protects against physical theft of a powered-off device, not against cyber attacks on a running, connected machine. Full Comparison ## Firevault vs Apple FileVault: Feature by Feature A detailed side-by-side comparison across every dimension that matters for data protection. Feature Firevault Apple FileVault Category Offline Secure Storage Platform Disk Encryption Software Made By Firevault Limited (UK) Apple Inc. (USA) What It Protects Crown jewel data and irreplaceable assets Files on a single Mac hard drive How It Works Layer 1 physical air gap, physical disconnection Full-disk AES-XTS encryption Network Connection Disconnected by default, zero attack surface Always connected, relies on OS security Scope Enterprise and individual offline storage Single device encryption Breach Protection Data is disconnected and cannot be breached remotely Data is encrypted but still on a connected device Ransomware Defence Immune: offline storage cannot be encrypted by malware Vulnerable: ransomware can encrypt over the encrypted disk Third-Party Access No third-party access, only the vault owner Apple holds recovery keys if iCloud is enabled Physical Security Stored in CNI-grade Firevault Bunkers Stored on your laptop or desktop Identity Verification Multi-factor identity-locked access macOS login password Data Resilience RAID 1 mirroring with Vault Buddy succession No built-in backup or succession Compliance Supports GDPR, NIS2, DORA, and FCA requirements No compliance-specific features Availability Any organisation or individual, platform agnostic macOS only ## Encryption Protects Data. Disconnection Makes It Unreachable. ### The Limitation of Encryption Apple FileVault encrypts your hard drive. That is good practice and every Mac user should enable it. But encrypted data on a connected device can still be attacked: ransomware can encrypt over it, credentials can be stolen, the operating system can be compromised, and the device itself can be lost or seized. Encryption protects data at rest, but your Mac is rarely truly at rest. ### The Firevault Principle You cannot breach what is not connected. Firevault removes the attack surface entirely by physically disconnecting your data from all networks. There is no path for attackers to exploit because the connection does not exist until you authorise it. This is not a software policy or a firewall rule. It is physics. The cable is physically unplugged at Layer 1. Use Cases ## What People Store in Firevault Firevault is designed for the data that matters most: the files you cannot afford to lose, leak, or have held to ransom. ### Contracts and Legal Documents Protect signed agreements, NDAs, and litigation evidence in a vault that cannot be remotely accessed, deleted, or tampered with. ### Intellectual Property Source code, patents, trade secrets, and R&D files stored beyond the reach of cyber attacks and insider threats. ### Financial Records Board minutes, audit trails, tax records, and financial models secured in compliance with GDPR, FCA, and DORA requirements. ### Personal and Family Assets Wills, deeds, passports, medical records, and irreplaceable photographs protected for generations with Vault Buddy succession. ### Regulatory Evidence Compliance documentation, incident reports, and audit records maintained in tamper-proof offline storage for regulatory inspections. ### Crown Jewel Data The 2% of data that would cause catastrophic damage if breached. Customer databases, pricing models, strategic plans, and M&A documents. Defence in Depth ## Use Both. They Serve Different Purposes. **Apple FileVault and Firevault are complementary**, not competing products. A robust data protection strategy uses multiple layers of defence, and these two products operate at entirely different layers. **Layer 1: Device encryption (Apple FileVault)**. Encrypt every Mac in your organisation. This protects against physical theft of powered-off devices. It is baseline security hygiene and should be enabled by default. **Layer 2: Network security**. Firewalls, VPNs, endpoint detection, and access management protect devices while they are connected and operating. This is where most security investment is focused today. **Layer 3: Physical disconnection (Firevault)**. For your most sensitive and irreplaceable data, remove the attack surface entirely. Firevault provides the final layer that encryption and network security cannot: _physical unreachability_. Your crown jewel assets exist beyond the reach of any cyber attack because the connection to them does not exist. Common Questions ## Firevault vs FileVault: Frequently Asked Questions Is Firevault the same as Apple FileVault? No. Firevault and Apple FileVault are completely different products from different companies in different countries. Firevault is an offline secure storage platform built by Firevault Limited. It physically disconnects your data from all networks using a Layer 1 physical air gap. Apple FileVault is a disk encryption feature built into macOS that encrypts your Mac's hard drive using AES-XTS. They are in entirely different product categories. Does Firevault replace Apple FileVault? They serve different purposes and are used together as part of a defence-in-depth strategy. Apple FileVault encrypts a single device's hard drive. Firevault provides a physically disconnected, identity-locked vault for your most sensitive and irreplaceable assets. Use FileVault on your Mac as standard practice. Use Firevault for the data that matters most. Why do search engines confuse Firevault with FileVault? The names are phonetically similar, but the products are fundamentally different. Firevault (one word, with a capital V) is an offline secure storage platform. FileVault (two words) is Apple's disk encryption for macOS. Firevault protects data through physical disconnection. FileVault protects data through software encryption. They operate in completely different categories. Can Apple FileVault protect against ransomware? Apple FileVault encrypts your disk at rest but does not prevent ransomware. If malware executes on your Mac, it can encrypt your files on top of FileVault's existing encryption, rendering them inaccessible. Firevault takes a different approach: by physically disconnecting your data from all networks, ransomware simply cannot reach it. You cannot breach what is not connected. Which should I use: Firevault or Apple FileVault? Both, for different layers of protection. Use Apple FileVault to encrypt your Mac's hard drive, as it is good security hygiene. Use Firevault to protect your most valuable and irreplaceable data: contracts, intellectual property, evidence, crown jewel assets, and files that would cause catastrophic damage if breached. Firevault adds the physical disconnection layer that encryption alone cannot provide. What is Firevault? Firevault is an offline secure storage platform built for global resilience. It physically disconnects your data from all networks using a Layer 1 physical air gap, stores it in CNI-grade Firevault Bunkers, and locks access behind multi-factor identity verification. Firevault offers three products: the Vault (a digital safe deposit box for individuals), Storage (scalable offline capacity for businesses), and the Platform (enterprise-grade offline infrastructure). What is Apple FileVault? Apple FileVault is a full-disk encryption feature built into macOS. It uses AES-XTS encryption to protect the contents of your Mac's startup disk. FileVault is enabled through System Settings and is protected by your macOS login password. It is a device-level encryption tool, not a storage platform or data vault. How does Firevault protect against data breaches? Firevault prevents data breaches by removing the attack surface entirely. Your data is stored on dedicated hardware that is physically disconnected from all networks: no internet, no intranet, no Wi-Fi. There is no digital path for attackers to exploit. Access only occurs during authorised connectivity windows that you control. This is pre-breach prevention through physics, not promises. Is Firevault available outside the UK? Firevault is a UK-headquartered company with Firevault Bunkers in carefully selected colocation facilities across multiple locations. See /bunkers for the current footprint. The platform serves organisations and individuals globally, with clear jurisdictional boundaries supporting GDPR, NIS2, and domestic regulatory compliance. How much does Firevault cost? Firevault offers plans starting from £74.99 per month for LUV, the 300GB occasional-use vault. Storage and Platform products are priced based on capacity and requirements. Visit the Firevault website to explore pricing and create your vault. ### Learn More About Firevault [What Firevault Is Not](/why-oss/firevault-is-not)[What Is Offline Secure Storage?](/how-it-works/offline-secure-storage)[How Firevault Works](/why-oss)[Compare Five Providers](/compare/oss-vs-everything)[The Firevault Vault](/vault)[Firevault Storage](/storage)[Control](/control)[Firevault Pricing](/vault)[Contact Firevault](/contact) ![Mark Fermor](/assets/mark-fermor-aWtKNSv7.jpg) ![David Bailey](/assets/david-bailey-Dgqj8eaE.jpg) ![Kenny Phipps](/assets/kenny-phipps-CVyooRsR.jpg) Online Now Concierge ## Choose enterprise-grade offline protection Discover why Firevault goes beyond device encryption to deliver true physically disconnected data security. Takes about 2 minutes. No account needed. Find Out Free 2 mins No sign-up