Head-to-head · Computer Forensics Software
EnCase Forensic vs Autopsy
EnCase Forensic leads on 0 checks, Autopsy on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreEnCase Forensic · 9.2/10
- Free planonly Autopsy
- Most featuresEnCase Forensic · 4 of 5
EnCase Forensic scores higher on our rubric for computer forensics software: 9.2 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.
EnCase Forensic is the better fit for established teams needing broad computer forensics. Autopsy is the better fit for budget-conscious teams needing case-based disk analysis.
- EnCase Forensic fits best
Established teams needing broad computer forensics
- Autopsy fits best
Budget-conscious teams needing case-based disk analysis
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Side by side
| Feature | EnCase Forensic 9.2/10 Visit ↗ | Autopsy 7.9/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.2 | 7.9 |
| Ranking | #1 in Computer Forensics Software | #7 in Computer Forensics Software |
| Best for | Established teams needing broad computer forensics | Budget-conscious teams needing case-based disk analysis |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | Pricing on request | Free plan |
| Free plan | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features EnCase Forensic 4/5 · Autopsy 0/5 | ||
| Disk imaging | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Mobile forensics | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Memory forensics | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Cloud forensics | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Timeline analysis | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Windows | Not checked yet |
| Concurrent examiner licenses | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | EnCase Forensic is OpenText’s desktop digital-forensics product for investigators and incident-response teams. It is aimed at law-enforcement, corporate-investigation and incident-response organizations that need to acquire, examine and… Read the review → |
Autopsy is an open-source digital forensics application for teams investigating digital evidence, including law enforcement, corporate investigations, litigation support, and national security work. Its case-based workflow brings evidence… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
EnCase Forensic — where it wins
- Combines forensic acquisition and disk imaging with file-system analysis.
- Includes deleted-file examination, indexing, keyword search and timeline analysis.
- Supports mobile and cloud evidence collection alongside court-ready reporting.
Where it doesn't
- Windows is the only listed platform.
- Desktop deployment may not suit teams seeking another deployment model.
- Pricing requires contacting sales rather than choosing a published plan.
Autopsy — where it wins
- Free, open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Shared cases support collaboration across multiple examiners
- Combines search, timelines, hash management, extraction, and reporting
Where it doesn't
- Desktop deployment may not suit teams seeking a hosted service
- The module architecture may require added work to extend investigations
- Paid training, support, and custom modules are separate offerings
- EnCase Forensic9.2/10 · Pricing on request
A broad desktop forensics toolkit for teams handling computer, mobile and cloud evidence.
Visit OpenTextFull verdict → - Autopsy7.9/10 · Free plan
A free, cross-platform toolkit for collaborative disk and media investigations.
Visit AutopsyFull verdict →
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All computer forensics software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update