acme.sh vs Let's Encrypt
A detailed comparison to help you choose between acme.sh and Let's Encrypt.
acme.sh ACME shell script for Let's Encrypt automation | Let's Encrypt Free SSL certificates for everyone | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.9 (71 reviews)✓ | 3.9 (254 reviews) |
| Pricing model | free | free |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Best for | Linux sysadmins who want a lightweight ACME client that works on minimal systems without Python | Every developer and business that needs SSL — the baseline choice for free automated HTTPS |
| Tags | ||
| Tags | free tieropen source | free tieropen source |
| Visit acme.sh → | Visit Let's Encrypt → | |
acme.sh
Pros
- + Works on any Unix/Linux — no dependencies
- + Supports DNS API for wildcard certs
- + Multiple ACME CAs supported
Cons
- - Shell script — less features than Certbot
- - Manual configuration
Let's Encrypt
Pros
- + Completely free SSL for any domain
- + Automatic renewal via ACME protocol
- + Non-profit — trusted by browsers globally
Cons
- - 90-day certificate validity requires automation
- - No Extended Validation (EV) certs available
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