Software Alternatives & Startups

OpenSSL VS SignMyCode

Compare OpenSSL VS SignMyCode and see what are their differences

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 …

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
SignMyCode

Buy Code Signing Certificate at $219.99/yr and digitally sign the code of your executables, software & applications to build brand trust and increase software downloads.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Paid $219.99 / Annually
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.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, OpenSSL should be more popular than SignMyCode. It has been mentioned 2 times since March 2021.

social mentions
2 vs 1
Development Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
160 vs 1

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

OpenSSL
SignMyCode
Website openssl.org signmycode.com
Pricing
Open source
Paid $219.99 / Annually Official pricing
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

OpenSSL 6 features
SignMyCode 5 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Wide Certificate Authority Support
    SignMyCode supports code signing certificates from major Certificate Authorities like Sectigo (Comodo), DigiCert, and Certum, giving users flexibility in choosing their preferred CA and certificate type.
  • Affordable Pricing
    SignMyCode offers competitive pricing on code signing certificates, often at discounted rates compared to purchasing directly from Certificate Authorities, making it a cost-effective option for developers and organizations.
  • Support for Multiple Platforms
    The service supports code signing for various platforms and file types including Microsoft Authenticode, Java, Adobe AIR, macOS, and more, allowing developers to sign code across different ecosystems.
  • EV Code Signing Available
    SignMyCode offers Extended Validation (EV) code signing certificates which provide enhanced trust, immediate SmartScreen reputation with Microsoft, and stronger security assurances compared to standard code signing certificates.
  • Easy Purchase and Renewal Process
    The platform provides a straightforward purchasing process with clear guidance on certificate selection, validation requirements, and renewal options, simplifying the often complex certificate acquisition workflow.

Possible disadvantages

  • Reseller, Not a Certificate Authority
    SignMyCode is a reseller rather than a direct Certificate Authority, meaning customers are adding a middleman which could potentially complicate support issues or certificate management compared to buying directly from the CA.
  • Validation Process Can Be Slow
    Like most code signing certificate providers, the validation process — especially for EV certificates — can take several days to complete, which may delay developers who need to sign code urgently.
  • Limited Advanced Tooling
    SignMyCode primarily focuses on selling certificates rather than providing advanced signing tools, CI/CD integrations, or automated signing workflows that some competing platforms offer as part of their service.
  • Support Availability Concerns
    Some users have reported that customer support response times can vary, and the level of technical assistance may not always match what is available directly from larger Certificate Authorities.
  • Less Brand Recognition
    Compared to well-established providers like DigiCert or GlobalSign, SignMyCode has less brand recognition and a smaller track record, which may make some enterprise customers hesitant to use the service.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

OpenSSL
SignMyCode

Overall verdict

  • Yes, OpenSSL is generally considered a reliable and secure option for secure communications. However, like any software, it requires proper configuration and regular updates to maintain its security posture.

Why this product is good

  • OpenSSL is an open-source cryptographic library widely used for implementing secure communications over networks using the SSL and TLS protocols. It is considered good because of its extensive feature set, constant updates, and widespread adoption across different platforms. The project benefits from a large community of contributors who regularly update and patch the software, ensuring it stays secure and robust.

Recommended for

  • Web servers requiring SSL/TLS support for secure HTTP (HTTPS) connections
  • Developers needing cryptographic functions for applications
  • Embedded systems requiring small footprint security solutions
  • Network applications that require secure data transmission

Overall verdict

  • SignMyCode is a legitimate authorized reseller of code signing certificates from trusted Certificate Authorities, offering competitive pricing and good customer support, making it a solid choice for developers and businesses seeking to sign their software.

Why this product is good

  • Authorized reseller of code signing certificates from major CAs like Sectigo and DigiCert
  • Offers both OV (Organization Validation) and EV (Extended Validation) code signing certificates
  • Competitive pricing compared to buying directly from Certificate Authorities
  • Provides customer support to assist with certificate installation and setup
  • Fast issuance process for OV certificates
  • Helps eliminate 'Unknown Publisher' warnings when installing software
  • Offers volume discounts for multiple certificate purchases

Recommended for

  • Independent software developers looking to sign their applications
  • Small to medium businesses distributing software
  • Companies needing to build trust with end users through verified publisher status
  • Developers who need to avoid Windows SmartScreen warnings
  • Organizations looking for cost-effective alternatives to direct CA purchases
  • Businesses requiring EV certificates for immediate reputation with Windows security systems

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

OpenSSL 3 videos + Add
SignMyCode 0 videos + Add

Das Kommando "enc" in OpenSSL

More videos

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

No SignMyCode videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
OpenSSL
SignMyCode
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using OpenSSL and SignMyCode. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

OpenSSL 2 mentions
SignMyCode 1 mention
  • 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: about 4 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: over 4 years ago
  • EV Code Signing
    I used https://signmycode.com/ they were very helpful. Source: over 3 years ago

Alternatives to OpenSSL and SignMyCode

When comparing OpenSSL and SignMyCode, you can also consider the following products.