Now that Let's Encrypt has announced the deprecation of its certificate expiration emails, indie hackers, system administrators, and other website owners need good alternative certificate monitoring tools to avoid unexpected expirations. The following are five excellent SSL monitoring tools to help keep your sites secure and downtime-free:
1. CertNotifier
Overview: CertNotifier offers easy email reminders before your certificate expires, with the tool made especially for ease of use, reliability, and affordability.
Features: Automated email alerts, multi-certificate/domain tracking, simple interface.
Pros: Simple setup, reliable alerts, single-mindedly focused on SSL monitoring without extraneous features, best value premium offering.
Cons: Few other integrations by design. Email only.
2. UptimeRobot
Overview: UptimeRobot is known for general website monitoring but also tracks SSL certificate validity and sends timely alerts through numerous channels.
Features: SSL monitoring, uptime monitoring, alerts via email, SMS, Slack, and webhook integrations.
Pros: Deep integrations.
Cons: Feature bloat for users who only need SSL alerts.
3. StatusCake
Overview: A full-service website monitoring tool, StatusCake also monitors SSL certificate expiration along with general site performance.
Features: SSL monitoring, uptime monitoring, page speed monitoring, various notification options.
Pros: Single-stop monitoring solution, easy-to-use dashboard.
Cons: SSL monitoring only in paid plans, many unnecessary features.
4. Certspotter
Overview: Another focused product, offers certificate transparency log monitoring.
Features: Transparency log monitoring, real-time notifications via email and webhook.
Pros: Quick notifications.
Cons: Pricey, part of a larger product (SSLMate.)
5. Nagios
Overview: Feature-rich open-source monitoring software with a wide user base among tech-savvy administrators.
Features: SSL certificate monitoring, high level of customizability, alerting via email, SMS, and custom scripts.
Pros: Very customizable, widespread in IT infrastructures.
Cons: Setup complexity, maintenance overhead, high learning curve, overkill for most.
Choosing the Right SSL Monitoring Tool
Selecting the right monitoring solution depends on your level of technical expertise, budget, and scale. CertNotifier is a specialized, low-cost solution specifically designed for affordable SSL monitoring without the fluff. Get notified before your certificates expire. It takes less than 2 minutes to set up.