TLS 1.3 vs DTLS

Developers should learn and implement TLS 1 meets developers should learn and use dtls when building applications that require secure communication over unreliable networks, such as real-time media streaming, online gaming, or iot device communication where tcp's reliability mechanisms are unsuitable. Here's our take.

TLS 1.3

Nice Pick

Developers should learn and implement TLS 1

Pros

• 3 when building web applications, APIs, or any networked service requiring secure data transmission, as it offers stronger encryption, faster connection establishment, and better protection against attacks like downgrade and eavesdropping
• Related to: https, ssl

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

DTLS

Developers should learn and use DTLS when building applications that require secure communication over unreliable networks, such as real-time media streaming, online gaming, or IoT device communication where TCP's reliability mechanisms are unsuitable

Pros

• It is essential for implementing secure WebRTC connections, VPNs over UDP, and any scenario where low latency and tolerance to packet loss are critical, as it provides TLS-like security without the overhead of TCP's connection-oriented nature
• Related to: tls, udp

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. TLS 1.3 is a concept while DTLS is a protocol. We picked TLS 1.3 based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

TLS 1.3 wins

Based on overall popularity. TLS 1.3 is more widely used, but DTLS excels in its own space.