mkcert

Name: mkcert
Brand: mkcert

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Create local trusted dev certificates

Developer Tools Security

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Tracked since2025

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The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Local SSL certificates

Biggest con

Dev only

TL;DR - mkcert

mkcert is a tool for creating locally-trusted development certificates
It generates TLS certificates for localhost without complex setup
Completely free and open-source

Pricing: Free forever

Best for: Individuals & startups

What is mkcert?

Editorial review

mkcert creates locally-trusted development certificates. HTTPS in development without browser warnings-local certs that actually work. The creation is trivial. The trust is automatic. The development experience improves. Developers needing local HTTPS use mkcert for trusted development certificates.

Available on: macOS, Linux, Windows

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourcemkcert.dev ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

Local SSL certificates
Easy to use
No configuration
Cross-platform
Good for dev

Cons

Dev only
Security considerations
Limited features
Manual renewal
Niche tool

Key Features

Local certificatesDevelopmentTrusted locallySimpleCross-platformOpen source

Pricing

Free

mkcert is completely free to use with no hidden costs.

View pricing

Is mkcert worth the price?

100/100

mkcert is entirely free and open-source, making its pricing exceptionally fair and generous.

There are no paid tiers, offering full functionality at no cost. This is ideal for individual developers, small teams, and open-source projects looking for a simple, trusted local SSL solution.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

No direct hidden costs

Requires basic command-line knowledge

No official commercial support

How mkcert Compares to Competitors

Unlike commercial certificate authorities or services that might offer local SSL as part of a broader paid developer tool suite, mkcert stands out by being completely free. Tools like ngrok offer free tiers for tunneling but charge for custom domains and advanced features, whereas mkcert focuses solely on local trusted certificates at zero cost.

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Best mkcert Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

Auth0Freemium

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OryFreemium

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4.5

HankoFreemium

Open-source authentication with passkeys

InigoPaid

A GraphQL gateway and security solution for robust API management.

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

mkcert vs Auth0Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins mkcert vs OryHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins mkcert vs HankoHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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mkcert FAQ

How does mkcert simplify using HTTPS during local development?

mkcert creates locally-trusted development certificates, which eliminates browser warnings that typically occur when using HTTPS in a local development environment. This allows developers to work with HTTPS without additional configuration or manual trust steps.

Which teams would benefit most from using mkcert?

Teams that require local HTTPS for their development workflows would find mkcert most beneficial. It is designed for developers who need trusted certificates to avoid browser warnings during their development process.

How is mkcert priced?

mkcert is free to use, meaning there is no paid plan required to access its features. It provides its functionality without any associated cost.

What kind of limitations should users be aware of when considering mkcert?

mkcert is designed exclusively for development environments and has security considerations that make it unsuitable for production use. It also has limited features and requires manual renewal of certificates.

Can mkcert be used across different operating systems?

Yes, mkcert is cross-platform, allowing developers to use it on various operating systems. This ensures a consistent experience for creating local trusted development certificates regardless of the platform.

How does mkcert compare to a tool like Hanko for development certificates?

mkcert focuses specifically on creating local trusted development certificates for HTTPS, aiming to improve the development experience by eliminating browser warnings. Hanko, on the other hand, provides broader authentication and authorization services, which may include certificate management as part of a larger security solution.

Source: mkcert.dev

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