CheckFast vs SSL Labs
an honest comparison
Side-by-side
| Feature | CheckFast | SSL Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate validity + expiry | ||
| Protocol matrix (TLS 1.0-1.3) | ||
| Cipher suite enumeration | ||
| Signature algorithm | ||
| Security headers (HSTS, CSP, etc.) | ||
| CAA records | ||
| HTTP→HTTPS redirect chain | ||
| Published report-time SLA | ||
| Shareable URL | ||
| Public API | ||
| Expiry monitoring + alerts | $9/mo | |
| 44-tool catalog |
Why teams switch
Narrower routine audit
Certificate, protocol, redirect, header and CAA checks run as one report. Keep SSL Labs for deep cipher-suite investigations.
Expiry alerts
The SSL monitor warns below 30 days remaining and marks expiry below 7 days critical. Alert channels depend on plan.
Headers + CAA
Real security is more than the cert. We score HSTS, CSP, X-Frame-Options, Referrer-Policy, Permissions-Policy, and CAA — SSL Labs scores none of those.
FAQ
Should I still use SSL Labs?+
Yes — for one-time deep cipher suite analysis on a critical TLS endpoint, SSL Labs is the gold standard. For everyday audits, CI gates, expiry monitoring, and scoring security headers + CAA (which SSL Labs ignores), CheckFast is the better fit.
Why can the checks take different amounts of time?+
SSL Labs runs the full Qualys engine across many cipher suites and locations. CheckFast runs a narrower certificate, protocol, header, CAA and redirect audit in parallel, while SSL Labs provides the deeper cipher analysis.
Do you check cipher suites?+
Not yet — we focus on protocol versions and key strength. Cipher suite enumeration is on the roadmap. For now, if cipher detail matters, run both: CheckFast for everyday + SSL Labs for deep audits.
Can you alert me before my certificate expires?+
Yes. SSL monitoring starts on Starter and warns when the certificate has fewer than 30 days remaining; fewer than 7 days is critical. Starter supports Telegram and email, while Pro and Agency also support Slack and webhooks.
Is it free?+
One-off checks are free. Monitoring with scheduled re-checks and alerts starts at $9/mo.