PKI.js vs Smallstep Certificates

Struggling to choose between PKI.js and Smallstep Certificates? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

PKI.js is a Security & Privacy solution with tags like pki, cryptography, encryption, decryption, signing, verification.

It boasts features such as RSA encryption/decryption, ECC encryption/decryption, X.509 certificate parsing, PKCS#7/CMS signing/verification, PKCS#12 importing/exporting, ASN.1 parsing and pros including Open source, Pure JavaScript implementation, Wide cryptographic support, Active development, Modular architecture.

On the other hand, Smallstep Certificates is a Security & Privacy product tagged with certificates, tls, ssl, pki, encryption.

Its standout features include Automated certificate issuance and renewal, Support for multiple certificate authorities, CLI and APIs for automation, Built-in OCSP and CRL endpoints, Cryptographic private key generation, Configuration management with JSON/YAML, and it shines with pros like Open source and free to use, Simple and easy to use, Secure by default with short-lived certificates, Highly customizable and extensible, Active development and community support.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

PKI.js

PKI.js

PKI.js is an open-source JavaScript library for public key infrastructure (PKI) encryption, decryption, signing and verification. It provides simple APIs for cryptography standards like RSA, ECC, X.509, PKCS and more.

Categories:
pki cryptography encryption decryption signing verification

PKI.js Features

  1. RSA encryption/decryption
  2. ECC encryption/decryption
  3. X.509 certificate parsing
  4. PKCS#7/CMS signing/verification
  5. PKCS#12 importing/exporting
  6. ASN.1 parsing

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Open source

Pure JavaScript implementation

Wide cryptographic support

Active development

Modular architecture

Cons

Limited documentation

Steep learning curve

Not beginner friendly

Lacks some convenience APIs


Smallstep Certificates

Smallstep Certificates

Smallstep Certificates is an open source certificate authority that makes it easy to issue and manage TLS certificates. It provides a simple CLI and APIs to automate certificate lifecycle.

Categories:
certificates tls ssl pki encryption

Smallstep Certificates Features

  1. Automated certificate issuance and renewal
  2. Support for multiple certificate authorities
  3. CLI and APIs for automation
  4. Built-in OCSP and CRL endpoints
  5. Cryptographic private key generation
  6. Configuration management with JSON/YAML

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Open source and free to use

Simple and easy to use

Secure by default with short-lived certificates

Highly customizable and extensible

Active development and community support

Cons

Limited enterprise management features

Not as feature rich as some commercial CAs

Requires more technical expertise to operate

Not ideal for extremely high certificate volumes