OpenSC/OpenSC

Free

Open source smart card tools and middleware. PKCS#11/MiniDriver

FreeFree tier

Type

Open Source

Visit Website GitHub (38 stars)

About OpenSC/OpenSC

OpenSC is an open source smart card middleware and toolset that provides PKCS#11, MiniDriver, and other cryptographic interfaces for smart cards. It supports a wide range of card types including CAC, PIV, OpenPGP applet, GIDS, IsoApplet, OsEID, SmartCard-HSM, Pico HSM, and ePass2003. Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and other Unix-like systems, OpenSC offers command-line tools for managing and using smart cards. The project is licensed under LGPL-2.1 and has an active community with frequent releases.

Key Features

PKCS#11 support

MiniDriver support

Supports multiple smart card types (CAC, PIV, OpenPGP applet, GIDS, IsoApplet, OsEID, SmartCard-HSM, Pico HSM, ePass2003)

Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, Unix)

Command-line tools for card management

Open source (LGPL-2.1 license)

Active development with nightly builds and 40+ releases

Pros & Cons

Pros

Open source with permissive LGPL-2.1 license
Supports a wide variety of smart cards and form factors
Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux, Unix)
Active community and frequent stable releases
Includes comprehensive CLI tools and wiki documentation

Cons

Command-line interface only (no graphical UI)
Setup and configuration can be complex for non-technical users

Best For

Smart card authentication and single sign-onDigital signatures and encryptionPhysical access control with PIV/CAC cardsSecure token management for OpenPGP keysHardware security module (HSM) integration with SmartCard-HSM, Pico HSM

FAQ

How do I get started with OpenSC?

The OpenSC Wiki provides Quick Start guides for Windows, macOS, and Unix flavors, as well as Frequently Asked Questions. Manual pages for command-line tools and configuration files are available online.