Base64 vs Encryption

Step-by-step

1. Decide whether you need compatibility or confidentiality.
2. Use Base64 when a text-safe representation is required.
3. Use established encryption when confidentiality is required.
4. Protect encryption keys separately from encrypted data.

Base64 encoding

Base64 is reversible encoding. It does not provide secrecy, access control, or cryptographic protection.

Encryption

Encryption uses a cryptographic algorithm and key to transform information so that authorized parties can recover it using the appropriate key.