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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

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

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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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