Why you need more than an SSL certificate checker
Qualys SSL Labs is the gold standard for SSL/TLS certificate testing and vulnerability scanning. It provides deep analysis of protocol versions, cipher suites, certificate chains, key exchanges, and known vulnerabilities like BEAST, POODLE, and Heartbleed. If you need to audit your TLS configuration in detail, SSL Labs is an excellent online SSL checker.
However, a passing SSL test is just one layer of website security. A site can earn an A+ from SSL Labs while still missing critical HTTP security headers like Content Security Policy (CSP) and HSTS, serving cookies without Secure or HttpOnly flags, lacking DNS email authentication records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), or running without a Permissions-Policy. SiteSecurityScore was built as a comprehensive website security scanner that covers all of these areas in a single free scan so you get a complete view of your site's security posture.
SSL Labs vs SiteSecurityScore: side by side feature comparison
TLS/SSL
| Feature | SiteSecurityScore | SSL Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol version check | ||
| Cipher suite analysis | ||
| Certificate validity | ||
| Certificate chain verification | ||
| Detailed cipher ordering analysis | ||
| Protocol support matrix | ||
| Key exchange analysis |
Security Headers
| Feature | SiteSecurityScore | SSL Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Content Security Policy (CSP) | ||
| Strict Transport Security (HSTS) | ||
| X-Frame-Options | ||
| X-Content-Type-Options | ||
| Referrer-Policy | ||
| Permissions-Policy |
Beyond TLS
| Feature | SiteSecurityScore | SSL Labs |
|---|---|---|
| DNS security (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) | ||
| Cookie security attributes | ||
| Deep CSP policy breakdown | ||
| CORS header analysis | ||
| security.txt validation | ||
| Daily monitoring with alerts |
Features
| Feature | SiteSecurityScore | SSL Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Letter grade scoring | TLS only | |
| Actionable fix recommendations | ||
| PDF report generation | ||
| REST API for automation | ||
| Browser extension (authenticated pages) | ||
| Daily monitoring | ||
| Free header generator tools | ||
| Learning center with guides |
Security checks SSL Labs does not cover
Security headers analysis
CSP, HSTS, X-Frame-Options, X-Content-Type-Options, Referrer-Policy, and Permissions-Policy. These headers are critical for preventing XSS, clickjacking, and data leakage, but SSL Labs does not check any of them.
DNS security records
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC record analysis. Find gaps in your email authentication before attackers exploit them for phishing.
Cookie security audit
HttpOnly, Secure, SameSite, Path, Domain, and prefix checks for every cookie. Spot session hijacking and CSRF risks instantly.
Deep CSP analysis
Directive-by-directive breakdown of your Content Security Policy. Identifies unsafe-inline, overly broad wildcards, and missing directives.
CORS header review
Checks Access-Control-Allow-Origin, credentials settings, and exposed headers to flag overly permissive cross-origin configurations.
security.txt validation
Verifies the presence and correctness of your security.txt file, ensuring security researchers can reach you through the proper disclosure channel.
Continuous website security monitoring with email alerts
SSL Labs is a point-in-time scan. You run a test, review the results, and move on. If your TLS certificate expires or a header configuration changes next week, you will not know until someone runs the test again manually.
SiteSecurityScore's website security monitoring runs daily automated scans that check your SSL/TLS certificates, HTTP security headers, Content Security Policy, DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and cookie security in a single pass. When anything changes or a new vulnerability appears, you receive an email alert immediately. No manual re-testing required.
Automated daily scans
Every monitored site is scanned once per day covering TLS, headers, CSP, DNS, and cookies.
Email alerts on changes
Get notified when your security posture changes, a certificate nears expiration, or a header is removed.
Free security header generator tools
Knowing which headers are missing is only half the job. You also need correct values. SiteSecurityScore includes free generator tools that produce copy-paste configurations for your web server.
Scan authenticated pages SSL Labs cannot reach
Chrome Extension
Server-side scanners (including SSL Labs) can only reach publicly accessible URLs. The SiteSecurityScore browser extension captures real response headers from your authenticated sessions. Scan admin panels, internal dashboards, and staging environments with one click.
Run a free website security scan
Enter any URL and get a complete security audit covering HTTP headers, CSP, HSTS, TLS certificates, DNS records, and cookie security. No account required.
Start scanningFrequently asked questions
Is SiteSecurityScore a replacement for Qualys SSL Labs?
SiteSecurityScore and Qualys SSL Labs serve different purposes and work well together. SSL Labs provides the deepest TLS/SSL certificate analysis available, while SiteSecurityScore is a broader website security scanner that checks TLS alongside security headers (CSP, HSTS, X-Frame-Options), DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), cookie security, and offers daily monitoring. Many security teams use both tools.
What security checks does SiteSecurityScore do that Qualys SSL Labs does not?
SiteSecurityScore checks HTTP security headers (Content Security Policy, HSTS, X-Frame-Options, X-Content-Type-Options, Referrer-Policy, Permissions-Policy), DNS email authentication records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), cookie security attributes (HttpOnly, Secure, SameSite), deep CSP policy analysis, CORS configuration, security.txt validation, and provides daily monitoring with email alerts. SSL Labs does not cover any of these areas.
Does Qualys SSL Labs check HTTP security headers or Content Security Policy?
No. Qualys SSL Labs focuses exclusively on TLS/SSL configuration, cipher suites, and certificate analysis. It does not analyze HTTP response headers, Content Security Policy (CSP), Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS), cookie attributes, or DNS records. You need a dedicated security header scanner like SiteSecurityScore for those checks.
Can I monitor my SSL certificate and security headers automatically?
Yes. SiteSecurityScore's website security monitoring feature runs automated daily scans that check your TLS/SSL configuration, HTTP security headers, CSP, DNS records, and cookies in one pass. You receive email alerts when anything changes, such as an expiring certificate, a removed header, or a CSP policy change.
Is SiteSecurityScore free to use as an SSL Labs alternative?
Yes. SiteSecurityScore offers free website security scans covering HTTP security headers, TLS/SSL certificates, DNS records, Content Security Policy, and cookie security. No account is required for basic scans. Paid plans add daily monitoring, PDF security reports, REST API access, and higher scan limits.
How does SiteSecurityScore compare to other online SSL checkers?
Most online SSL checkers, including Qualys SSL Labs, only test TLS/SSL configuration. SiteSecurityScore goes further by scanning six security domains in one test: TLS certificates, HTTP security headers, Content Security Policy, DNS email authentication, cookie security, and information disclosure. It also provides a letter grade, actionable fix recommendations, PDF reports, and continuous monitoring.
Can SiteSecurityScore scan pages behind a login that SSL Labs cannot reach?
Yes. SiteSecurityScore offers a Chrome browser extension that captures real HTTP response headers from your authenticated sessions. This lets you scan admin panels, internal dashboards, staging environments, and any page that requires login. Server-side scanners like SSL Labs can only reach publicly accessible URLs.