OpenSSL vs wolfSSL

Developers should learn and use OpenSSL when building or maintaining systems that require secure data transmission, such as HTTPS web servers, VPNs, or encrypted messaging applications meets developers should learn and use wolfssl when building applications for embedded systems, iot devices, or any environment with limited memory and processing power, as it offers a minimal code size without sacrificing security. Here's our take.

OpenSSL

Nice Pick

Developers should learn and use OpenSSL when building or maintaining systems that require secure data transmission, such as HTTPS web servers, VPNs, or encrypted messaging applications

Pros

• It is essential for implementing SSL/TLS certificates, generating cryptographic keys, and performing security audits in environments like Linux servers, where it is often the default tool for handling cryptographic operations
• Related to: tls-ssl, cryptography

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

wolfSSL

Developers should learn and use wolfSSL when building applications for embedded systems, IoT devices, or any environment with limited memory and processing power, as it offers a minimal code size without sacrificing security

Pros

• It is ideal for use cases like secure firmware updates, device-to-cloud communication, and real-time operating systems where traditional TLS libraries are too heavy
• Related to: c-programming, embedded-systems

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. OpenSSL is a tool while wolfSSL is a library. We picked OpenSSL based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

OpenSSL wins

Based on overall popularity. OpenSSL is more widely used, but wolfSSL excels in its own space.