win-acme review
A focused Windows ACME client for issuance, renewal, storage, and deployment.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
win-acme is an open-source ACMEv2 client for Windows that obtains and manages TLS certificates from compatible ACME services. It is aimed at administrators working with IIS, Apache, Microsoft Exchange, Azure Key Vault, and scripted Windows environments. The tool supports certificate issuance, domain validation, installation, storage, renewal, and revocation through menu-driven and command-line workflows. Its clearest fit is a Windows-focused team that wants direct control over ACME certificate operations rather than a hosted management console.
The certificate lifecycle coverage is broad for a client with this focus. win-acme supports HTTP-01, DNS-01, and TLS-ALPN-01 validation, with integrations including Let's Encrypt, ZeroSSL, DigiCert, Sectigo, Buypass, and Keyon. Certificates can be stored in the Windows Certificate Store, IIS Central Store, PEM, PFX, or Azure Key Vault. IIS certificate binding installation and updates are built in, while PowerShell scripts and custom plugins extend deployment options. Scheduled automatic renewal and unattended command-line operation make it suitable for repeatable certificate jobs, and revocation is available from the menu or command line.
Its trade-off is scope. win-acme is Windows-only and does not provide certificate discovery, so organizations seeking broad inventory, cross-platform administration, or centralized visibility should consider a wider certificate management product. It also has no hosted pricing tiers, making it a better choice for teams comfortable operating downloadable software and maintaining their own workflows. Choose win-acme when ACME issuance, renewal, validation flexibility, IIS integration, and scripting are the priorities; choose an alternative when discovery and broader platform management matter more than a focused Windows client.
win-acme pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Automatic scheduled renewal with unattended operation
- HTTP-01, DNS-01, and TLS-ALPN-01 validation
- IIS bindings, multiple stores, scripting, and revocation
- Where it doesn't
- Windows-only platform focus
- No certificate discovery capability
- No hosted pricing tiers or managed service option
win-acme fact sheet, pricing and score →
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