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OpenCA PKI
What it is
OpenCA PKI is free, open-source software for setting up and managing a public key infrastructure, with an out-of-the-box Certification Authority. It is designed for on-premises deployment and is listed for Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and web environments. The project says it implements commonly used protocols with full-strength cryptography; listed capabilities include SCEP support, HSM integration, and certificate profiles. The download page lists OpenCA PKI (SpecialK) version 1.5.1.
Installation has several software prerequisites: OpenLDAP, OpenSSL, Apache, and Apache mod_ssl are among the requirements, and OpenCA Tools version 1.3.0 should be installed first. The project, founded in 1998, describes its work as volunteer-driven and managed collaboratively by consensus. Community support is available through mailing lists, forums, and online chat; independent third parties offer paid support. Security issues can be reported privately by email or publicly through the OpenCA and OpenCA-Tools issue trackers. The documentation page says downloadable documentation is unavailable and notes that its OpenCA Guide for version 0.9.2 is outdated in some parts.
For and against
For
- Free open-source PKI management software.
- Listed support includes SCEP and HSM integration.
- Security reports can be submitted privately or publicly.
- Community support includes mailing lists, forums, and chat.
Against
- OpenLDAP, OpenSSL, Apache, and Apache mod_ssl are among prerequisites.
- OpenCA Tools version 1.3.0 should be installed first.
- Downloadable documentation is unavailable.
- The listed version 0.9.2 guide is outdated in parts.
The verdict
OpenCA PKI offers an on-premises Certification Authority and related PKI capabilities at no charge. Account for its software prerequisites and limited documentation when considering deployment.
Who it suits
OpenCA PKI suits organizations seeking on-premises software to establish and administer a PKI, including users who need listed SCEP, HSM, or certificate-profile support. Installation requires the named dependencies and OpenCA Tools prerequisite.
Plans and prices
OpenCA PKI
Open source PKI management software · Version 1.5.1 listed
Read 4 Oct 2026 · openca.org
On the record
- Access control
- The system documents channel verification, login, session management and ACL configuration.openca.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Automatic revocation
- The 1.5.0 changelog records an auto-revocation daemon and automatic CRL processing.openca.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- CA management
- The software provides a complete certification-authority management solution.openca.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Certificate requests
- Users can submit PKCS#10 certificate-signing requests through the web interface or SCEP.openca.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Certificate revocation
- The user and administrator workflows include certificate revocation and CRL handling.openca.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Current listed release
- The download page lists OpenCA PKI (SpecialK) version 1.5.1.openca.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Database support
- The guide documents PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle and DBM database back ends.openca.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- The project names OpenLDAP, OpenSSL, Apache, and Apache mod_ssl among the required software.openca.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Developer API
- The related LibPKI project offers a high-level cryptographic API for applications handling keys, certificates and other PKI data.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Distributed design
- The architecture separates CA, RA, LDAP and public interfaces into nodes suitable for hierarchical deployments.openca.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- The guide spans design, installation, configuration, user workflows and a technology guide, but the documentation page warns that much of it is outdated.openca.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation limitation
- The project says no current downloadable documentation is available and directs users to package contents and mailing lists.openca.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation limits
- The documentation page says downloadable documentation is unavailable and that the OpenCA Guide for version 0.9.2 is outdated in some parts.openca.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Download versions
- The official download page lists OpenCA PKI 1.5.1 and separate packages for OpenCA Tools, LibPKI, OCSPD and PRQP Server.openca.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Hardware tokens
- Configuration documentation covers OpenSSL, Luna, nCipher and OpenSC cryptographic tokens.openca.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent platform description
- Wikipedia describes OpenCA as cross-platform free CA software with web-based certificate enrollment and management using OpenLDAP, OpenSSL and Apache.de.wikipedia.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent version record
- The German Wikipedia entry records OpenCA PKI version 1.5.2 dated May 2014 and lists Linux, Unix and Mac OS X.de.wikipedia.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Official dependencies and integrations include OpenLDAP, OpenSSL, Apache HTTP Server and Apache mod_ssl.openca.org · read 15 Oct 2026
