Choosing the Right ACME Client for ZeroSSL Certificates

ZeroSSL supports multiple ACME clients to help you automate certificate issuance and renewal. Whether you're running on Linux, Windows, or managing certificates across platforms, this guide will help you choose the best tool for your environment.

🔍 Comparison Table

🧠 Strategic Tips

• In most cases, for Linux or containerized setups, acme.sh offers the most flexibility and ZeroSSL-native support.
• If you're using Windows, start with win-acme for seamless integration.
• If you're migrating from Let’s Encrypt, Certbot with the zerossl-bot wrapper offers a smooth transition.
• For minimalist environments, dehydrated.io is a solid option with manual setup.

🧰 Client Overviews

acme.sh

• Lightweight shell script with no external dependencies.
• Supports multiple CAs including ZeroSSL.
• Built-in support for EAB credentials and ZeroSSL endpoint.
• Ideal for automation, scripting, and containerized environments.

👉 Click here to get more info about acme.sh & ZeroSSL

Certbot

• Python-based client originally built for Let’s Encrypt.
• Can be used with ZeroSSL via the zerossl-bot wrapper or manual configuration.
• Supports plugins for Apache/Nginx and auto-renewal.
• Best for users familiar with Certbot who are transitioning to ZeroSSL.

👉 Click here to get more info about Certbot & ZeroSSL

dehydrated.io

• Minimalist bash client with extensible hook system.
• Compatible with ZeroSSL when manually configured.
• Lightweight and portable, but less actively maintained.
• Suitable for Unix-savvy users and legacy setups.

👉 Click here to get more info about dehydrated & ZeroSSL

win-acme

• Windows-native ACME client with full support for IIS.
• Owned by ZeroSSL and actively maintained.
• Supports scheduled renewals, wildcard certs, and DNS plugins.
• Recommended for Windows environments and IIS administrators.

👉 Click here to get more info about win-acme & ZeroSSL