SHA-256 vs bcrypt
Differences, use cases, and when to use each
SHA-256 is a fast general-purpose hash. bcrypt is a slow password-specific hash with built-in salt and configurable work factor. For password storage, bcrypt's intentional slowness is a feature that defeats brute-force attacks.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | SHA-256 | bcrypt |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Extremely fast (billions/sec) | Intentionally slow (~4/sec) |
| Salt | Manual (not built-in) | Automatic (built-in) |
| Purpose | General-purpose hashing | Password hashing only |
| Work Factor | Fixed speed | Adjustable difficulty |
| Brute Force Resistance | Low (too fast) | High (designed for it) |
When to Use Each
When to Use SHA-256
Use SHA-256 for data integrity, digital signatures, checksums, and any non-password hashing. Its speed is an advantage when hashing files or verifying data.
When to Use bcrypt
Use bcrypt (or Argon2) exclusively for password storage. The intentional slowness makes brute-force attacks on stolen password hashes impractical.
Pros & Cons
SHA-256
Fast for data processing
Standard for signatures and integrity
Too fast for passwords
No built-in salt
bcrypt
Brute-force resistant
Built-in salt
Adjustable work factor
Too slow for general hashing
Not suitable for file integrity
Verdict
Never use SHA-256 for password storage — use bcrypt or Argon2. Never use bcrypt for general hashing — use SHA-256. They're designed for completely different purposes.