Zero-trust access and certificate management
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10 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free plan available, paid tiers above
Biggest pro
Zero trust security
Biggest con
Learning curve
TL;DR - smallstep
- smallstep is an open-source certificate management platform
- It provides automated TLS certificates for internal infrastructure
- Free and open-source, commercial support available
Pricing: Free plan available
Best for: Growing teams
4.2/5 across review platforms
What is smallstep?
Smallstep provides automated certificate management. Zero-trust security infrastructure-certificates and identity for modern security.
The automation handles certificates. The zero-trust enables security. The open-source exists.
Security teams wanting automated certificates use Smallstep for certificate infrastructure.
Available on: Web, macOS, Windows, Linux
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Zero trust security
- Certificate management
- Open source option
- Active development
- Good documentation
Cons
- Learning curve
- Complex setup
- Enterprise features paid
- Smaller community
- Niche use case
Ratings Across the Web
4.2(10 reviews)
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
Zero trustCertificate authoritySSH certificatesACME serverDevice identityEnterprise
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Jun 1, 2026
Enterprise
Custom
- Device attestation
- SSH certificates
- Certificate-based Wi-Fi
- VPN and ZTNA
- Workload identity
- Enterprise support
Reviews
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4.2/5
Across 10 verified user reviews on G2
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smallstep FAQ
How does smallstep support zero-trust security architectures?
Smallstep provides the underlying certificate and identity infrastructure necessary for modern zero-trust security. It automates certificate management, which is a key component in verifying every user and device trying to access resources, regardless of their location.
Which teams benefit most from implementing smallstep?
Security teams looking to automate their certificate infrastructure will find smallstep particularly useful. It helps these teams establish and maintain robust security policies through automated certificate management and zero-trust principles.
How does smallstep compare to Auth0 for identity and access management?
Smallstep focuses on automated certificate management and zero-trust security infrastructure, providing the foundational elements for secure access. In contrast, Auth0 is known for its broader identity and access management solutions, often covering authentication and authorization for applications.
What kind of learning curve should users expect with smallstep?
Users should anticipate a learning curve when adopting smallstep due to its specialized nature. The initial setup can also be complex, requiring a dedicated effort to configure the certificate and identity infrastructure correctly.
Does smallstep include a free tier for users?
Yes, smallstep is available on a free tier, allowing users to get started with its features. Paid plans are offered for those requiring more extensive usage and additional enterprise-level features.
Can smallstep be used for general developer automation tasks?
Smallstep primarily focuses on automation within the context of certificate management and security infrastructure. While it is categorized under Developer Tools, its automation capabilities are specifically geared towards handling certificates and enabling zero-trust security.
Source: smallstep.com