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JSON Web Token VS OpenSSL

Compare JSON Web Token VS OpenSSL and see what are their differences

LibHunt
LibHunt tracks mentions of software libraries on relevant social networks. Based on that data, you can find the most popular projects and their alternatives. featured
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.
Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

JSON Web Token logo JSON Web Token

JSON Web Tokens are an open, industry standard RFC 7519 method for representing claims securely between two parties.

OpenSSL logo OpenSSL

OpenSSL is a free and open source software cryptography library that implements both the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols, which are primarily used to provide secure communications between web browsers and …
  • JSON Web Token Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-19
  • OpenSSL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-14

JSON Web Token features and specs

  • Stateless
    Since JWTs are self-contained, they do not require server-side sessions, enabling stateless authentication and reducing server memory usage.
  • Scalability
    JWTs can easily be used in distributed systems and microservices architectures due to their stateless nature, facilitating horizontal scaling.
  • Decentralized Issuance
    Multiple issuers can create and sign their own tokens, allowing for more decentralized and flexible authentication mechanisms.
  • Performance
    JWTs eliminate the need for database lookups during authenticating requests, as the token contains all the necessary information, which can lead to performance improvements.
  • Cross-domain and Mobile Compatible
    JWTs are widely supported by different platforms and can easily be used in cross-domain situations and with mobile applications.
  • Security
    JWTs can be signed and optionally encrypted, ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the data they carry.

Possible disadvantages of JSON Web Token

  • Size
    JWTs tend to be larger than session IDs, which can increase the amount of data transmitted during requests.
  • Expiration Handling
    Managing token expiration can be complex. Once a token is issued, it remains valid until it expires or is explicitly revoked.
  • No Built-in Revocation
    Unlike sessions, JWTs cannot be easily revoked server-side, making it difficult to immediately invalidate tokens without additional mechanisms.
  • Security Risks
    If a JWT is intercepted or compromised, it can be used until it expires. Thus, it should be properly secured and transmitted over HTTPS.
  • Token Overhead
    Embedding too much information in the token payload can lead to performance overhead and potential data exposure risks.
  • Complexity
    Implementing JWT correctly requires a thorough understanding of security practices and token lifecycle management, which can add complexity to the system.

OpenSSL features and specs

  • Open Source
    OpenSSL is open-source software, which means it is freely available and can be reviewed, modified, and improved by anyone.
  • Widely Used
    OpenSSL is one of the most widely used libraries for SSL and TLS protocols, ensuring high compatibility and support across different platforms and applications.
  • Comprehensive Documentation
    OpenSSL provides extensive documentation and resources that can help users understand and implement its features effectively.
  • Regular Updates
    The OpenSSL project is actively maintained, receiving regular updates and patches to address security vulnerabilities and improve functionality.
  • Community Support
    A large community of developers and users contribute to forums, mailing lists, and other discussion platforms, providing support and sharing knowledge.
  • Flexible and Powerful
    OpenSSL offers a wide range of cryptographic functions and protocols, making it a versatile tool for various security requirements.

Possible disadvantages of OpenSSL

  • Complexity
    OpenSSL can be complex to configure and use, particularly for beginners or those without a deep understanding of cryptographic principles.
  • Security Vulnerabilities
    Despite regular updates, OpenSSL has had several high-profile security vulnerabilities in the past, such as Heartbleed, which can have broad implications.
  • Performance Overhead
    Depending on the implementation and configuration, using OpenSSL can introduce performance overhead, impacting the speed and efficiency of applications.
  • Limited User-Friendly Tools
    While OpenSSL is powerful, it lacks user-friendly tools and interfaces, making it harder for less technical users to operate.
  • Documentation Quality
    Though comprehensive, some users find the OpenSSL documentation to be dense and difficult to navigate, which can make troubleshooting and implementation challenging.

JSON Web Token videos

+ Add

JSON Web Tokens Suck - Randall Degges (DevNet Create 2018)

More videos:

  • Review - JSON Web Tokens with Public Key Signatures
  • Review - RFC 7519 JSON Web Token (JWT), Review

OpenSSL videos

+ Add

Das Kommando "enc" in OpenSSL

More videos:

  • Review - OpenSSL and FIPS... They Are Back Together!
  • Review - OpenSSL After Heartbleed by Rich Salz & Tim Hudson, OpenSSL

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to JSON Web Token and OpenSSL)

JSON Web Token

OpenSSL

Identity Provider
100 100%
Identity Provider
0% 0
Development Tools
0 0%
Development Tools
100% 100
Identity And Access Management
100 100%
Identity And Access Management
0% 0
Javascript UI Libraries
0 0%
Javascript UI Libraries
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, JSON Web Token seems to be a lot more popular than OpenSSL. While we know about 300 links to JSON Web Token, we've tracked only 2 mentions of OpenSSL. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

JSON Web Token mentions (300)

  • Guide to JWT API Authentication
    Jwt.io is a great playground to get used to working with JWTs. - Source: dev.to / 6 days ago
  • Verifying Cognito access tokens - Comparing three JWT packages for Lambda authorizers
    The Lambda authorizer code decodes and verifies the token, and its business logic determines whether the request should proceed to the backend or be denied. Cognito access tokens are JSON Web Tokens (JWTs), and to simplify our coding, we might opt for an external package to handle token verification. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Authentication and Authorization Best Practices in ASP.NET Core
    You can decode the created JWT token using JWT IO web site to see what's inside. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • How To Use JWT Token In React JS
    JWT.io – A great resource to decode, verify, and generate JWT tokens. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • 12 Must-Have Online Tools for Every Web Developer in 2025
    Category: Token Debugging & Authentication Link: jwt.io. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
View more

OpenSSL mentions (2)

  • Why does Baserow need my personal data so I can run open source?
    Baserow uses open source like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenSSL and can use it without handing over data to openssl.org. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Creating private key help
    Noob here; I'm looking at openssl.org Two commands are listed; "openssl-genrsa" and "openssl genrsa" (No hyphen). Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing JSON Web Token and OpenSSL, you can also consider the following products

Auth0 - Auth0 is a program for people to get authentication and authorization services for their own business use.

jQuery - The Write Less, Do More, JavaScript Library.

Spring Security - The Spring portfolio has many projects, including Spring Framework, Spring IO Platform, Spring Cloud, Spring Boot, Spring Data, Spring Security...

React Native - A framework for building native apps with React

Firebase Authentication - Application and Data, Application Utilities, and User Management and Authentication

Babel - Babel is a compiler for writing next generation JavaScript.

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