Argon2 vs bcrypt: which password hash in 2026?
Both are correct choices for password storage — deliberately slow and salted. The difference is how they resist modern cracking hardware, and how proven each is.
| Argon2 | bcrypt | |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 2015 (won PHC) | 1999 |
| Memory-hard | Yes (resists GPU/ASIC) | No (CPU cost only) |
| Tunable cost | Time, memory, parallelism | Work factor only |
| Maturity | Newer, well-reviewed | Decades in production |
| Library support | Growing, broad | Universal |
| Recommended variant | Argon2id | cost ≥ 12 |
Memory-hardness is the differentiator
bcrypt makes each guess cost CPU time. Argon2 also makes each guess cost memory, which is expensive to parallelize on the GPUs and ASICs attackers use. That memory-hardness is why Argon2 won the Password Hashing Competition and is the modern recommendation.
But bcrypt is far from broken
bcrypt has decades of real-world scrutiny and is available in every language. Properly configured (work factor 12+), it remains a perfectly safe choice. Both are vastly better than a fast hash like SHA-256 — see bcrypt vs SHA-256.
The verdict
For new systems, prefer Argon2id — its memory-hardness best resists modern cracking hardware. For existing systems, well-configured bcrypt is still safe; migrate opportunistically rather than urgently. Experiment in the Bcrypt tool.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I use Argon2 or bcrypt in 2026?
- For new projects, Argon2id is the recommended choice thanks to its memory-hardness. bcrypt remains safe when properly configured, so existing bcrypt systems do not need an urgent migration.
- What does memory-hard mean?
- The algorithm requires a tunable amount of RAM per hash, making mass parallel cracking on GPUs and ASICs far more expensive. Argon2 is memory-hard; bcrypt is not.
- Is bcrypt obsolete?
- No. It has decades of scrutiny and universal library support. With a work factor of 12 or higher it is still a sound choice; Argon2 is simply the newer best practice.
Try it yourself
Free, in-browser tools for everything above.