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.

Feature	PKI.js	Smallstep Certificates
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Security & Privacy	Security & Privacy

Product Overview

PKI.js

Description: 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.

Smallstep Certificates

Description: 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.

Key Features Comparison

PKI.js Features

• RSA encryption/decryption
• ECC encryption/decryption
• X.509 certificate parsing
• PKCS#7/CMS signing/verification
• PKCS#12 importing/exporting
• ASN.1 parsing

Smallstep Certificates Features

• 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

Pros & Cons Analysis

PKI.js

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

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

Pricing Comparison

PKI.js

• Open Source

Smallstep Certificates

• Open Source