testssl.sh vs SiteLock Basic: 2026 Comparison
testssl.sh is a free security scanning tool. SiteLock Basic is a commercial security scanning tool by SiteLock. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best security scanning fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of NIST CSF 2.0 coverage, core features, company size fit, deployment model, here is our conclusion:
DevOps and security teams running their own infrastructure will move fastest with testssl.sh because it gives you certificate and protocol results in seconds without any agent, UI, or account overhead. Its 8,956 GitHub stars reflect real adoption; the tool handles STARTTLS, custom ports, and serialized testing across thousands of endpoints in a single bash loop. Skip this if you need continuous monitoring, automated remediation, or a dashboard that executives will understand; testssl.sh is a command-line scanner you run on-demand, not a compliance platform.
Startup founders and small business owners running WordPress or similar CMS sites should pick SiteLock Basic for its daily malware scanning and automated backup, which handle the two things that actually tank small sites: compromised code and lost data. The 2GB daily backup paired with continuous monitoring covers both the ID.RA Risk Assessment and PR.DS Data Security functions without requiring your team to manage infrastructure. Skip this if you need vulnerability remediation or incident response; SiteLock Basic finds problems and backs up your site, but the 30-hour support window and lack of automated patching mean you're still fixing things yourself.
