Botan
C++ cryptography library with many algorithms and TLS.
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What is Botan?
Botan is an open-source C++ cryptography library designed to provide, production-ready cryptographic tools for developers and security professionals. Its primary purpose is to enable secure communication, data protection, and authentication by implementing modern cryptographic protocols and algorithms. The library is widely used by software engineers building applications requiring TLS, PKI systems, and hardware-backed cryptographic operations. Botan addresses the challenge of integrating complex cryptographic standards into software by offering a modular, well-documented toolkit that simplifies the implementation of secure systems. It also emphasizes security through features like side-channel resistance testing and support for post-quantum cryptography, making it suitable for applications where data integrity and confidentiality are critical. The project’s modular architecture allows developers to include only necessary components, reducing overhead while maintaining flexibility. Botan’s extensive test suite and automated side-channel detection ensure reliability, while its cross-language bindings (C++, C, Python) and command-line interface cater to diverse use cases. Its availability through package managers like Homebrew and Linux distributions further lowers the barrier for adoption, making it a go-to choice for developers needing cryptographic functionality without reinventing the wheel.
How it works
Botan is a permissively licensed C++ library that provides cryptographic primitives and protocols for secure software development. It serves as a foundation for implementing TLS, X.509 certificates, and other security standards, enabling developers to build applications with strong encryption and authentication mechanisms. The library targets developers, security researchers, and system administrators who need to integrate cryptographic functionality into their projects. It solves the problem of implementing complex cryptographic systems by abstracting low-level details, allowing focus on application logic while ensuring security compliance. Botan supports modern cryptographic protocols like TLSv1.3, AEAD ciphers (e.g., ChaCha20-Poly1305), and post-quantum algorithms. It includes PKI tools for managing X.509 certificates and integrates with hardware security modules via PKCS#11 and TPM. Memory-hard password hashing (e.g., Argon2) and secure random number generation are also core features.
How to use it
- 1Clone the repository from GitHub: `git clone https://github.com/randombit/botan`.
- 2Build the library using CMake: `cmake -B build && cmake --build build`.
- 3Install via package managers (e.g., `brew install botan` for macOS) or system packages like Debian’s `apt`.
- 4Use the CLI tools (e.g., `botan-3.0.0/bin/botan` for cryptographic operations) or integrate the library into your project via its APIs. Practical tips: Use precompiled binaries for rapid prototyping, leverage language bindings for Python or C projects, and consult the documentation for feature-specific build flags (e.g., enabling TPM support).
What it can do
- crypto library
Use cases
Assumptions and limitations
Assumptions
- source: https://github.com/randombit/botan
- license: BSD-2-Clause — free to use
- privacy: Self-hosted — you control your data
Limitations
- Requires a C++ compiler and build tools, limiting use in interpreted languages
- No built-in GUI tools; CLI reliance may pose a barrier for non-technical users
- Some advanced features (e.g., TPM integration) demand hardware-specific setup
- Documentation for non-C++ bindings (e.g., Python) is less detailed than core C++ guides
- Performance may lag behind highly optimized alternatives like OpenSSL in niche use cases
Understanding the result
C++ cryptography library with many algorithms and TLS.
Tool details
- Clearly flagged when a network request is needed.
- No account, no sign-up, and no tracking of your content.
- Powered by (BSD-3-Clause).
- Built with
- (randombit/botan)
- License
- BSD-3-Clause
- Runs locally
- No — requires a network request
- Verification
- Not yet verified
- Input
- Query
- Output
- Text
Built with randombit/botan. OpenToolVault provides the discovery and browser interface while crediting the original project maintainers.
- Built with
- License
- BSD-3-Clause
Open-source project
OpenToolVault is an independent directory. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by this project.
References
- / — GitHub Repository
Upstream project · GitHub
- BSD-2-Clause License
Upstream project
Frequently asked
What is Botan and what makes it different from other cryptography libraries?
Botan is a C++ cryptography library focused on production-grade security, offering modular design, support for modern protocols like TLSv1.3, and post-quantum algorithms. Unlike some libraries, it emphasizes side-channel resistance testing and provides cross-language bindings (C++, C, Python). Its permissive BSD license and active community also distinguish it, enabling flexible integration into diverse projects.
How does Botan handle cryptographic protocol implementations like TLS?
Botan implements TLSv1.3 through its modular architecture, allowing developers to configure cipher suites, session management, and certificate validation. It abstracts low-level details like handshake protocols and key exchange, enabling seamless integration into applications. The library’s test suite ensures compliance with TLS standards, and its CLI tools simplify testing and debugging of TLS endpoints.
How do I generate an RSA key pair using Botan’s CLI?
Use the `botan` command-line tool with the `gen-key` subcommand: `botan gen-key --type RSA --bits 2048 --output key.pem`. This creates a 2048-bit RSA key pair and saves it to `key.pem`. You can specify additional parameters like exponent or output format (PEM/DER) to tailor the result.
How does Botan compare to OpenSSL or LibreSSL?
Botan differs from OpenSSL by prioritizing modular design and modern standards (e.g., TLSv1.3) out of the box. It also includes post-quantum cryptography and more rigorous side-channel testing. LibreSSL, a fork of OpenSSL, focuses on simplicity and security but lacks Botan’s extensive feature set. Botan’s permissive license contrasts with OpenSSL’s more restrictive licensing, affecting integration in commercial projects.
What should I do if I encounter a build error with Botan?
Common build issues include missing dependencies (e.g., CMake, compilers) or incompatible compiler flags. Verify your system meets requirements, then check the build log for specific errors. For example, enable TPM support with `-DWITH_TPM=ON` during CMake configuration. Consult the GitHub issues page for similar problems or seek help by opening a new issue with detailed logs.