Side by side
Active@ KillDisk vs CBL Data Shredder
Both stand on file shredder software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
KillDisk offers multiple erase methods and reporting features, but several controls are reserved for paid editions. Personal Professional is listed at $64.95, paid once, with other license prices varying by edition and scope.
Visit Active@ KillDisk Free plan Windows
Choose CBL Data Shredder if its supported Windows versions or DOS packages fit your setup and you need free drive overwriting with configurable methods. Look elsewhere if you need coverage of inaccessible modern-drive areas or sanitization of classified information using DSX alone.
Visit CBL Data ShredderThe facts
| Active@ KillDisk | CBL Data Shredder | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Personal Professional: $64.95, paid once | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 22 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | killdisk.com | cbldatarecovery.com |
| On file shredder software | #3 of 27 | #7 of 27 |
Active@ KillDisk: what it does well
- Supports Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- Lists more than 25 sanitization standards.
- Paid editions include verification and erase certificates.
- Some editions include SSD Secure Erase.
What to know first
- Freeware uses only One Pass Zeros.
- Freeware lacks erase verification and batch scripting.
- Freeware allows two parallel erases.
CBL Data Shredder: what it does well
- Free plan includes low-level formatting and drive-sector wiping.
- Users can choose a bit pattern and number of overwrite passes.
- Includes several named overwrite methods, including a 35-pass Gutmann method.
- Offers DOS packages as floppy, CD-ROM ISO, and USB creator.
What to know first
- The Windows version supports only Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10.
- Some modern-drive areas may remain inaccessible and vulnerable to hardware-based recovery.
- DSX alone is not approved for sanitizing classified information, and physical destruction is required afterward.
- Downloading requires a name and email address and agreement to the license.
Alternatives to Active@ KillDisk Alternatives to CBL Data Shredder The whole list