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Kleopatra

apps.kde.org

Free plan WindowsLinux
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Spec score 7.5 #9 of 25 in Key Management Software

What it is

Kleopatra is a free, open-source certificate manager and graphical interface for cryptographic services, focused mainly on OpenPGP and S/MIME certificates. It can create, import, export, and manage keys, trust levels, and expiration dates, and retrieve certificates from public key servers, LDAP, and Web Key Directory servers. Users can encrypt or decrypt files and text, sign files or notes, and verify signatures.

Kleopatra also manages OpenPGP and PIV smartcards, including changing PINs and PUKs, copying keys, and generating keys on-card. The KDE page says it works with Yubikey, Gnuk, and other cards without extra device drivers. File managers can provide direct encryption, signing, and verification actions, while its Notepad handles text for copying into messaging or chat services. Organizations can configure it centrally to meet their requirements. Kleopatra is available for Linux and Windows; it is bundled with Gpg4win on Windows and integrates with KDE Plasma and applications such as KMail on Linux. Its graphical interface is described as useful for people unfamiliar with command-line tools such as GPG.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Kleopatra is an open-source certificate manager and graphical front end for cryptographic services, primarily handling OpenPGP and S/MIME certificates.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
Intended users
The page describes the graphical interface as useful for people unfamiliar with command-line tools such as GPG.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
Integrations
On Windows, Kleopatra is bundled with Gpg4win; on Linux, it integrates with KDE Plasma and applications such as KMail.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
Support
The page links to the Kleopatra Handbook, KDE forum, kdepim-users mailing list, and Libera.chat channel.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
License
The application page lists Kleopatra under the GPL-2.0+ license.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
Encryption and signatures
It encrypts and decrypts files and text, and can sign files or notes and verify signatures.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
File manager actions
It supports direct file encryption, signing, and verification from file managers.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
Hardware compatibility
The KDE page says Kleopatra is compatible with Yubikey, Gnuk, and other cards without extra device drivers.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
Key discovery
It can fetch certificates from public key servers, LDAP, and Web Key Directory servers.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
Key management
It can create, import, export, and manage encryption keys, trust levels, and expiration dates.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
Latest listed release
The page lists version 26.08.2 dated 2026-10-08.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
Notepad
Its Notepad can encrypt, decrypt, and verify text for copying into messaging or chat services.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
Organization settings
Kleopatra can be configured centrally to meet organizational requirements.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
Smartcards
It manages OpenPGP and PIV smartcards, including changing PINs and PUKs, copying keys, and generating keys on-card.Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org

Plans and prices

Free Free Open-source certificate manager; Linux installation listed Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org

Every Kleopatra plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Manages OpenPGP and S/MIME certificates.
  • Encrypts and signs files and text.
  • Supports OpenPGP and PIV smartcards.
  • Works with Yubikey and Gnuk without extra drivers.
  • Available for Linux and Windows.

Limits

  • Available platforms are Linux and Windows.
  • No free trial is listed.

Who it suits

Kleopatra suits people who need to manage OpenPGP or S/MIME certificates and perform encryption or signature tasks through a graphical interface. It may also suit organizations that need centrally configured settings.

Verdict

Kleopatra combines certificate and key management with file, text, and smartcard operations in a graphical application. Its Linux and Windows integrations and central configuration options make it relevant to both individual users and organizations.

Where Specifiction places it

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