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Qualys SSL Server Test VS Cert Decoder

Compare Qualys SSL Server Test VS Cert Decoder and see what are their differences

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Qualys SSL Server Test logo Qualys SSL Server Test

This free online service performs a deep analysis of the configuration of any SSL web server on the public Internet.

Cert Decoder logo Cert Decoder

Decode and verify SSL/TLS certificates online. Extract X.509 details including issuer, validity, SAN, and fingerprint. Fast, secure, and browser-based.
  • Qualys SSL Server Test Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-07-21
  • Cert Decoder
    Image date //
    2025-03-22

Cert Decoder is a free online tool that helps you decode X.509 SSL/TLS certificates in PEM format. It instantly shows important information like the issuer, expiry date, SAN entries, and fingerprint. All data is processed locally in your browser, so nothing is ever sent or stored elsewhere.

Qualys SSL Server Test features and specs

  • Comprehensive Analysis
    The SSL Server Test provides a detailed analysis of the SSL/TLS configuration, including protocol support, key exchange, and cipher strength, helping users identify potential weaknesses.
  • Free Tool
    Qualys offers this tool free of charge, making it accessible to anyone interested in evaluating their server's SSL/TLS security without incurring costs.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The tool features a straightforward and intuitive web interface, allowing users of varying technical expertise to perform a server test easily.
  • Grading System
    It provides an easy-to-understand grading system (A+ to F), which helps users quickly assess the overall security of their SSL/TLS configuration.
  • Regular Updates
    Qualys continuously updates the test to incorporate the latest security standards and vulnerabilities, ensuring the tool remains relevant in the ever-evolving SSL/TLS landscape.

Possible disadvantages of Qualys SSL Server Test

  • Public Results
    Test results are publicly accessible, which might be a concern for those who prefer confidentiality regarding their server's security status.
  • No Real-Time Monitoring
    The tool is designed for on-demand testing and does not provide continuous monitoring or automated alerts for changes in SSL/TLS security status.
  • Limited Scope
    While comprehensive in analyzing SSL/TLS configurations, the tool does not cover other aspects of web server security, such as application vulnerabilities or network configurations.
  • Load Implications
    Running the test can occasionally place a load on the server being analyzed, which might affect server performance during the test period.

Cert Decoder features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Cert Decoder is designed with a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and use the tool without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
  • Comprehensive Analysis
    The tool provides detailed analyses of certificates, including information about validity, issuer, encryption algorithms, and more, helping users understand their security certificates thoroughly.
  • Free to Use
    Cert Decoder offers its services free of charge, making it accessible for individuals and organizations without budget constraints.
  • Quick Processing
    The tool processes certificate information rapidly, providing almost instant results for users, which is crucial for time-sensitive tasks.

Possible disadvantages of Cert Decoder

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to some paid alternatives, Cert Decoder might lack advanced features that are necessary for more complex certificate management and diagnostics.
  • Reliance on Internet Access
    Users need an active internet connection to utilize the tool, which can be a limitation in areas with unreliable internet service.
  • Privacy Concerns
    While using an online service to decode certificates, there can always be privacy concerns regarding sensitive data being uploaded to a third-party server.
  • No Offline Mode
    Cert Decoder does not offer an offline mode, which could be a drawback for users who require functionality without constant internet availability.

Analysis of Cert Decoder

Overall verdict

  • Cert Decoder appears to be a free online tool for decoding and inspecting SSL/TLS certificates, CSRs, and related cryptographic data, making it useful for quick, no-install certificate analysis, though it should be used with awareness of general web tool privacy considerations when handling sensitive certificate data.

Why this product is good

  • Provides quick, browser-based decoding of certificates without needing to install software
  • Useful for troubleshooting SSL/TLS certificate issues on the fly
  • Simple interface aimed at both technical and semi-technical users
  • No cost to use for basic certificate decoding tasks

Recommended for

  • System administrators needing to quickly verify certificate details
  • Developers debugging SSL/TLS configuration issues
  • IT support staff troubleshooting website certificate errors
  • Students or professionals learning about certificate structure and encoding

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Qualys SSL Server Test and Cert Decoder)

Qualys SSL Server Test

Cert Decoder

Web Application Security
100 100%
Web Application Security
0% 0
Decoding
0 0%
Decoding
100% 100
Cyber Security
100 100%
Cyber Security
0% 0
Monitoring Tools
0 0%
Monitoring Tools
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Qualys SSL Server Test and Cert Decoder.

What's the story behind your product?

Cert Decoder's answer:

I built certdecoder.com over the weekend for my own needs. Sometimes in my work, I need to verify and check certificate details.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Cert Decoder's answer:

certdecoder.com was built using just JavaScript and HTML—simple, fast, and with all processing happening locally in your browser, so no certificate data is sent to any server

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Cert Decoder's answer:

certdecoder.com is primarily built for developers, sysadmins, cybersecurity enthusiasts, and DevOps engineers.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Cert Decoder's answer:

Simple, fast, and reliable. Some similar tools can’t even decode basic certificates. I rigorously tested my tool with many real-world certificates and covered several edge cases where competitors fall short.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Cert Decoder's answer:

certdecoder.com is primarily built for developers, sysadmins, cybersecurity enthusiasts, and DevOps engineers.

User comments

Share your experience with using Qualys SSL Server Test and Cert Decoder. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Qualys SSL Server Test should be more popular than Cert Decoder. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. 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.

Qualys SSL Server Test mentions (5)

  • Unable to have valid chain of authority
    Check it at https://ssllabs.com/ssltest and it will tell you what’s wrong with the chain. Source: over 3 years ago
  • PAN-OS thinks the cert for https[:]//supportfiles[.]firemon[.]com is untrusted. Why?
    Didn’t know that one. I generally use ssl server test at https://ssllabs.com/ssltest. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Looking for help with VIRTUAL_HOST set up and 502 Bad Gateway (possible bad SSL?)
    As far as the SSL error, your browser does not consider the certificate to be valid. It looks like you’re trying to use Let’s Encrypt (based on your .well-known/acme-challenge location. You’ll also need to provide the intermediary certificate, but there also may be something else wrong (e.g., are you using the staging CA and not the production CA when brokering the certificate?). I can’t tell what’s wrong without... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Is there a safe way to enable gzip compression over HTTPS?
    If you want to prove it, check your site with https://ssllabs.com/ssltest. It checks web servers for safe TLS configurations, including whether or not you have TLS compression enabled. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Safari problem with Nginx Proxy
    Try running SSL test on server. https://ssllabs.com/ssltest/ It reports incomplete certificate. Did you add whole chain on "ssl_certificate" file? Root cert is not needed but intermediate should be in there with server certificate. Source: over 4 years ago

Cert Decoder mentions (1)

  • Banana.dog back from the dead
    Why? Because I built certdecoder.com and couldn’t find a decent place to submit it. So I said screw it — I’ll build my own. With blackjack and hookers. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Qualys SSL Server Test and Cert Decoder, you can also consider the following products

Hardenize - Hardenize provides a comprehensive and free assessment of web site network and security configuration.

Security Headers - Quickly and easily assess the security of your HTTP response headers.

Mozilla Observatory - The Mozilla Observatory is a project designed to help developers, system administrators, and security professionals configure their sites safely and securely.

HTTP Observatory - Developed by Mozilla, the HTTP Observatory performs an in-depth assessment of a site’s HTTP headers and other key security configurations.

Cloud Cultivator - Comprehensive SSL/TLS monitoring

CryptCheck - CryptCheck is a Ruby toolbox that help anybody to check for cryptography security level and best practices compliance.

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