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Kleopatra
What it is
Kleopatra is a free, open-source certificate manager and graphical front end for cryptographic services, focused on OpenPGP and S/MIME certificates. It can create, import, export, and manage keys, trust levels, and expiration dates, and find certificates through 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 PIN and PUK changes, key copying, and generating keys on a 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; its Notepad can encrypt, decrypt, and verify text for copying into chat or messaging services. On Windows, Kleopatra is bundled with Gpg4win; on Linux, it integrates with KDE Plasma and applications such as KMail. Organizations can configure it centrally. Its graphical interface is described as useful for people unfamiliar with command-line tools such as GPG.
For and against
For
- Available for Linux and Windows
- Manages OpenPGP and PIV smartcards
- Supports file and text encryption
- Finds certificates through several server types
- Works with listed cards without extra device drivers
Against
- Focused on OpenPGP and S/MIME certificates
- Linux integration is with KDE Plasma and listed applications
The verdict
Kleopatra brings key and certificate management, encryption, signatures, and smartcard tasks into a graphical interface. Its Linux and Windows availability and listed integrations may help determine whether it fits your setup.
Who it suits
Kleopatra suits people who need to manage certificates, keys, signatures, or smartcards through a graphical interface. It is also suited to organizations that need centrally configured settings.
Plans and prices
Free
Open-source certificate manager; Linux installation listed
Read 9 Oct 2026 · apps.kde.org
On the record
- Encryption and signatures
- It encrypts and decrypts files and text, and can sign files or notes and verify signatures.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- File manager actions
- It supports direct file encryption, signing, and verification from file managers.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Hardware compatibility
- The KDE page says Kleopatra is compatible with Yubikey, Gnuk, and other cards without extra device drivers.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- On Windows, Kleopatra is bundled with Gpg4win; on Linux, it integrates with KDE Plasma and applications such as KMail.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The page describes the graphical interface as useful for people unfamiliar with command-line tools such as GPG.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Key discovery
- It can fetch certificates from public key servers, LDAP, and Web Key Directory servers.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Key management
- It can create, import, export, and manage encryption keys, trust levels, and expiration dates.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Latest listed release
- The page lists version 26.08.2 dated 2026-10-08.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The application page lists Kleopatra under the GPL-2.0+ license.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Notepad
- Its Notepad can encrypt, decrypt, and verify text for copying into messaging or chat services.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Organization settings
- Kleopatra can be configured centrally to meet organizational requirements.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Kleopatra is an open-source certificate manager and graphical front end for cryptographic services, primarily handling OpenPGP and S/MIME certificates.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Smartcards
- It manages OpenPGP and PIV smartcards, including changing PINs and PUKs, copying keys, and generating keys on-card.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The page links to the Kleopatra Handbook, KDE forum, kdepim-users mailing list, and Libera.chat channel.apps.kde.org · read 9 Oct 2026
