ASCOMP Secure Eraser vs File Shredder

ASCOMP Secure Eraser8.7Visit File Shredder8.3Visit

Higher score ASCOMP Secure Eraser #5 in File Shredder Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit ASCOMP

vs

File Shredder #8 in File Shredder Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit File Shredder

• ASCOMP Secure Eraser fits best

  Windows users needing file and drive wiping

• File Shredder fits best

  Open-source Windows file shredding

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Side by side

Feature	ASCOMP Secure Eraser 8.7/10 Visit ↗	File Shredder 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.3
Ranking	#5 in File Shredder Software	#8 in File Shredder Software
Best for	Windows users needing file and drive wiping	Open-source Windows file shredding
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$19.90 one-time	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features ASCOMP Secure Eraser 3/4 · File Shredder 2/4
Free-space wiping	✓	✓
Files and folders	✓	✓
Drive wiping	✓ (best)	—
Scheduled shredding	Not checked yet	—
Specs
Overwrite methods	Certified	Advanced
Supported platforms	Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Server 2022/2025, Windows Server 2016/2019, Windows Server 2012	Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 Server, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
Our review
Pros	Wipes files, folders, drives, partitions, free space, and deleted data Offers NIST-aligned, DoD, German, and Gutmann methods Free personal-use edition plus low-cost one-time professional licenses	Five shredding algorithms for files and folders Free-space wiping for unused disk space Windows Explorer integration and shredding queue
Cons	Windows-only platform coverage SSD used-area overwriting is not possible Business use requires a Professional license	Does not wipe whole hard-drive volumes No scheduled shredding Published support list ends with Windows 10
Our verdict	ASCOMP Secure Eraser is Windows software for permanently deleting sensitive data from files, folders, drives, partitions, free space, the recycle bin, and browsing traces. It suits personal users who need more than ordinary deletion, as… Read the review →	File Shredder is a free, open-source Windows desktop utility for permanently overwriting unwanted files and folders. It suits users who need direct control over file deletion, free-space wiping, and shredding methods without a paid plan.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ASCOMP Secure Eraser — where it wins

  • Wipes files, folders, drives, partitions, free space, and deleted data
  • Offers NIST-aligned, DoD, German, and Gutmann methods
  • Free personal-use edition plus low-cost one-time professional licenses

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only platform coverage
  • SSD used-area overwriting is not possible
  • Business use requires a Professional license

• File Shredder — where it wins

  • Five shredding algorithms for files and folders
  • Free-space wiping for unused disk space
  • Windows Explorer integration and shredding queue

  Where it doesn't

  • Does not wipe whole hard-drive volumes
  • No scheduled shredding
  • Published support list ends with Windows 10

• ASCOMP Secure Eraser8.7/10 · Free plan

  A capable Windows file shredder with broad erasure methods and low one-time pricing.

  Visit ASCOMPFull verdict →
• File Shredder8.3/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source Windows shredder with strong file tools but no drive wiping.

  Visit File ShredderFull verdict →