# LibreSSL

11 Hacker News commenters recommended LibreSSL and 2 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 7 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** Widely used OpenSSL-compatible TLS library, well maintained and easy to migrate to; some report returning to OpenSSL.

## Why people recommend it

- Drop-in replacement for OpenSSL (2 comments): "LibreSSL has put serious effort into making itself interchangeable with openssl." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46804097)) "they put in a lot of work on making it a drop-in replacement for openssl" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47012896))
- Well maintained and easier to migrate (2 comments): "LibreSSL is well-maintained and easier to migrate to than it ever was." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46791139)) "LibreSSL is well-maintained and easier to migrate to than it ever was" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46791157))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [OpenSSL](https://hackerapproved.com/p/openssl.md): 48 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "LibreSSL", https://hackerapproved.com/p/libressl/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).