Bcrypt vs SHA-256

Learn why bcrypt is right for passwords and SHA-256 is wrong, and how salting and cost factors change the picture.

Both bcrypt and SHA-256 are hash functions, but only one is designed for storing passwords. Using the wrong one leaves credentials vulnerable to brute force.

Bcrypt Generator & Checker

  • Deliberately slow, with a configurable cost factor that scales the hashing work.
  • Embeds a random salt in every hash, so identical passwords hash differently.
  • Designed specifically for password storage and resistant to fast GPU-based attacks.
Open Bcrypt Generator & Checker

Hash Generator

  • Extremely fast by design, which makes it great for integrity checks but terrible for passwords.
  • A fast hash means an attacker can try billions of guesses per second.
  • No built-in salt or cost factor; the same input always produces the same hash.
Open Hash Generator

Verdict

Use bcrypt (or Argon2) for passwords because its slowness and salting resist brute force. Use SHA-256 for integrity, signatures and general-purpose hashing.