cryptography

Python library for cryptographic primitives and recipes.

EstablishedOpen SourceLow lock-in

Pricing

Free tier

Flat rate

Adoption

Stable

License

Open Source

Data freshness

Aging · Jun 8, 2026

Overview

What is cryptography?

Cryptography is a Python library that provides cryptographic recipes and primitives. It aims to be simple and easy to use, while also providing high-level security features.

Key differentiator

Cryptography stands out by offering a comprehensive set of cryptographic tools in Python that are both secure and user-friendly.

Capability profile

Capability Radar

Ease of StartEcosystemValueMaturityFlexibilityScale Ready

Honest assessment

Strengths & Weaknesses

↑ Strengths

Provides cryptographic recipes and primitivesmedium

Easy to use with high-level security featuresmedium

Supports a wide range of cryptographic algorithmsmedium

↓ Weaknesses

Steep learning curve for non-Python developershigh

API requires Python-specific patterns, TypeScript SDK is community-maintained

Frequent breaking changes between versionsmedium

v0.1 to v0.2 migration required rewriting chain definitions

Limited support for non-Python environmentshigh

Primary language is Python, with limited official support for other languages

Complex setup for advanced cryptographic featuresmedium

Advanced usage requires deep understanding of cryptography concepts and library specifics

Fit analysis

Who is it for?

✓ Best for

Developers needing to implement encryption and decryption in Python applications

Projects requiring secure handling of sensitive information

Teams building cryptographic systems that need a well-supported library

✕ Not a fit for

Applications where performance is the primary concern, as cryptography may introduce overhead

Use cases requiring non-Python environments without support for this library

Cost structure

Pricing

Free Tier

Available

Open source — free to use

Starts at

$0

Model

Flat rate

Enterprise

None

Performance benchmarks

How Fast Is It?

Ecosystem

Relationships

Next step

Get Started with cryptography

Step-by-step setup guide with code examples and common gotchas.

View Setup Guide →