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acme.sh

Free ACME client for automated SSL/TLS certificate management

3.9(71 reviews)freeFounded 2026
free tieropen source

Integrates with

Lightweight shell script that automates Let's Encrypt certificate issuance and renewal. Works with 200+ DNS providers and web servers without requiring root privileges or complex dependencies.

acme.sh is a pure shell implementation of the ACME protocol that handles certificate lifecycle automation. Features include standalone mode, DNS validation across multiple providers, wildcard certificate support, and automatic renewal with cron integration. Installation requires minimal system resources and works on Linux, macOS, and other Unix-like systems. The tool runs unprivileged and integrates seamlessly with existing web server configurations.

Pros

  • Deploy to 200+ DNS and hosting providers with minimal configuration
  • Renew certificates automatically without manual intervention
  • Run without root access or external dependencies
  • Support wildcard and multi-domain SAN certificates
  • Generate standalone certificates for non-web services

Cons

  • Shell-based implementation may be slower than compiled alternatives on high-volume deployments
  • Requires manual DNS API credential setup for DNS-01 validation
  • Limited GUI or web interface options for certificate management

Best For

DevOps engineers and sysadmins managing Let's Encrypt certificates across multiple domains and DNS providers in resource-constrained or Unix-native environments.

Pricing

Free Forever

Free
  • Core features included

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