OpenSSH vs OpenSSL

Overview

OpenSSL

Stacks13.5K

Followers7.1K

Votes0

OpenSSH

Stacks103

Followers61

Votes0

OpenSSH vs OpenSSL: What are the differences?

OpenSSH and OpenSSL are two widely used open-source security software libraries that provide cryptographic functions and protocols for secure communication over the internet. Let's explore the key differences between them.

Transport Layer vs. Cryptographic Library: OpenSSH primarily focuses on providing secure remote login and file transfer capabilities, acting as a transport layer protocol. On the other hand, OpenSSL is a general-purpose cryptography library that offers cryptographic functions, protocols, and algorithms for various applications beyond just secure communication.
SSH Protocol vs. SSL/TLS Protocol: OpenSSH is designed to provide secure communication through the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol, which is primarily used for secure remote access and file transfers. OpenSSL, on the other hand, supports the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocols, which are widely used for secure communication in web applications, email protocols, VPNs, and more.
Authentication and Key Management: OpenSSH provides authentication mechanisms such as password-based authentication, public key authentication, and host-based authentication. It also includes features like key management and agent forwarding. OpenSSL, on the other hand, focuses on cryptographic functions and does not provide built-in authentication mechanisms. It requires integration with other protocols or applications to handle authentication and key management.
Specific Use Cases: OpenSSH is commonly used for secure remote login (via SSH) to manage remote servers, perform administrative tasks, and transfer files securely. It is widely used in the Unix/Linux world. OpenSSL, on the other hand, is used in a broader range of applications where secure communication and encryption are required. This includes web servers, email servers, VPN gateways, digital certificates, and more.
License: OpenSSH is released under the BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution) license, which allows for easy adoption, modification, and redistribution. OpenSSL, on the other hand, has a dual license model, offering both an Apache-style license and an OpenSSL license. This provides flexibility for developers and users in terms of licensing and usage.
Community Support and Development: OpenSSH has a dedicated development community that focuses on maintaining and improving the software. It receives regular updates and security patches to address vulnerabilities and enhance functionality. While OpenSSL also has a strong community, it has faced some security challenges and vulnerabilities in the past. However, efforts have been made to improve the overall security and reliability of the OpenSSL software.

In summary, OpenSSH is primarily used for secure remote login and file transfers, while OpenSSL provides a broader range of cryptographic functions and protocols for various applications.

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Detailed Comparison

OpenSSL	OpenSSH
It is a robust, commercial-grade, and full-featured toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It is also a general-purpose cryptography library.	It is the premier connectivity tool for remote login with the SSH protocol. It encrypts all traffic to eliminate eavesdropping, connection hijacking, and other attacks. In addition, OpenSSH provides a large suite of secure tunneling capabilities, several authentication methods, and sophisticated configuration options.
Robust;Commercial-grade;Transport Layer Security ;General-purpose cryptography library;QUIC;Post-quantum cryptography	Free SSH protocol suite ;Encryption for network services ;Strong cryptography ;X11 forwarding ;Strong authentication
Statistics
Stacks 13.5K	Stacks 103
Followers 7.1K	Followers 61
Votes 0	Votes 0
Integrations
Linux Mac OS X Android OS Windows	Linux Mac OS X FreeBSD OpenBSD

What are some alternatives to OpenSSL, OpenSSH?

Let's Encrypt

It is a free, automated, and open certificate authority brought to you by the non-profit Internet Security Research Group (ISRG).

Sqreen

Sqreen is a security platform that helps engineering team protect their web applications, API and micro-services in real-time. The solution installs with a simple application library and doesn't require engineering resources to operate. Security anomalies triggered are reported with technical context to help engineers fix the code. Ops team can assess the impact of attacks and monitor suspicious user accounts involved.

Instant 2FA

Add a powerful, simple and flexible 2FA verification view to your login flow, without making any DB changes and just 3 API calls.

ORY Hydra

It is a self-managed server that secures access to your applications and APIs with OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect. It is OpenID Connect Certified and optimized for latency, high throughput, and low resource consumption.

Virgil Security

Virgil consists of an open-source encryption library, which implements CMS and ECIES(including RSA schema), a Key Management API, and a cloud-based Key Management Service.

ExpeditedSSL

Stop pouring through MAN pages and outdated blog posts that don't take into account new requirements. With our add-on, you can go from install to confirmed installation in as little as twenty minutes: using nothing but your browser.

Clef

Clef is secure two-factor — built for consumers. Easy to use, integrate, and pay for.

Wazuh

It is a free, open source and enterprise-ready security monitoring solution for threat detection, integrity monitoring, incident response and compliance.

Detectify

Detectify is a web security service that simulates automated hacker attacks on your website, detecting critical security issues before real hackers do. We provide you with descriptive reports of the results so that you can continue to build safe products

SSLMate

SSLMate is the easiest way for developers and sysadmins to buy SSL certificates.

Related Comparisons

OpenSSH vs OpenSSL: What are the differences?

Transport Layer vs. Cryptographic Library: OpenSSH primarily focuses on providing secure remote login and file transfer capabilities, acting as a transport layer protocol. On the other hand, OpenSSL is a general-purpose cryptography library that offers cryptographic functions, protocols, and algorithms for various applications beyond just secure communication.
SSH Protocol vs. SSL/TLS Protocol: OpenSSH is designed to provide secure communication through the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol, which is primarily used for secure remote access and file transfers. OpenSSL, on the other hand, supports the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocols, which are widely used for secure communication in web applications, email protocols, VPNs, and more.
Authentication and Key Management: OpenSSH provides authentication mechanisms such as password-based authentication, public key authentication, and host-based authentication. It also includes features like key management and agent forwarding. OpenSSL, on the other hand, focuses on cryptographic functions and does not provide built-in authentication mechanisms. It requires integration with other protocols or applications to handle authentication and key management.
Specific Use Cases: OpenSSH is commonly used for secure remote login (via SSH) to manage remote servers, perform administrative tasks, and transfer files securely. It is widely used in the Unix/Linux world. OpenSSL, on the other hand, is used in a broader range of applications where secure communication and encryption are required. This includes web servers, email servers, VPN gateways, digital certificates, and more.
License: OpenSSH is released under the BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution) license, which allows for easy adoption, modification, and redistribution. OpenSSL, on the other hand, has a dual license model, offering both an Apache-style license and an OpenSSL license. This provides flexibility for developers and users in terms of licensing and usage.
Community Support and Development: OpenSSH has a dedicated development community that focuses on maintaining and improving the software. It receives regular updates and security patches to address vulnerabilities and enhance functionality. While OpenSSL also has a strong community, it has faced some security challenges and vulnerabilities in the past. However, efforts have been made to improve the overall security and reliability of the OpenSSL software.

In summary, OpenSSH is primarily used for secure remote login and file transfers, while OpenSSL provides a broader range of cryptographic functions and protocols for various applications.

OpenSSH vs OpenSSL

Overview