XiPKI review
A technically broad, on-premises PKI platform for teams managing their own certificate infrastructure.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
XiPKI is open-source public key infrastructure software for teams operating certificate infrastructure on premises. It provides certification authority and registration authority services, an OCSP responder, management components, and client components. Certificate enrollment is available through ACME, EST, SCEP, CMP, and REST APIs. Linux and macOS are supported with Java 11 or later, and the software is distributed as installable binaries or source code. It fits organizations that need control over deployment, certificate workflows, and cryptographic infrastructure rather than a hosted PKI service.
Its strongest area is technical breadth. XiPKI supports certificate and CRL issuance, revocation, and downloading, while customizable certificate profiles include JSON-based profiles. Teams can manage multiple CAs in one software instance, use database clustering and multiple active software instances, and connect hardware security modules through PKCS#11. Listed HSM integrations include AWS CloudHSM, Nitrokey HSM, nCipher, Sansec HSM, SoftHSM, TASS HSM, Thales Luna, Thales ProtectServer, and Utimaco HSM. Post-quantum support includes ML-DSA and ML-KEM, adding a forward-looking option for teams planning their cryptographic architecture.
XiPKI is best suited to PKI teams with the skills and infrastructure to operate an on-premises, open-source system. Its protocol coverage and deployment capabilities make it a strong fit for environments serving varied enrollment clients or coordinating multiple CAs. The trade-off is operational responsibility: teams must manage the software, supporting database deployment, Java runtime, and HSM connections themselves. Organizations wanting a hosted service, a simpler certificate workflow, or a narrower operational footprint should consider an alternative designed around managed delivery.
XiPKI pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports ACME, EST, SCEP, CMP, and REST enrollment
- Integrates with multiple HSM products through PKCS#11
- Combines CA, RA, OCSP, profiles, clustering, and post-quantum support
- Where it doesn't
- Requires on-premises deployment and infrastructure management
- Runs on Linux or macOS with Java 11 or later
- Its breadth may exceed the needs of teams seeking a hosted PKI service
XiPKI fact sheet, pricing and score →
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