No. 11 of 16 ·Key Management Software

OpenKCM (Open Key Chain Manager)

Linux · Self-hosted · API

Freedom report

One barScore 5.4

Free tierNo free tier on record
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely1 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

OpenKCM (Open Key Chain Manager) is ranked #11 of 16 in key management software on Freedom251. It runs on API, Linux, Self-hosted.

Compared on key management software

Deployment model: hybrid
Key audit logs: Yes

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The record

Purpose: OpenKCM is an open-source key management service for governing encryption keys and protecting data at rest.
Key management: It supports key hierarchies, importing customer keys through BYOK, and keeping master keys in the customer’s infrastructure through HYOK.
Architecture: OpenKCM separates governance and policy control in CMK from cryptographic execution in Krypton.
Deployment: The documentation describes deploying the Gateway near applications in a Kubernetes cluster or cloud VPC, and says the same Gateway software can run across AWS, Azure, and on-premise environments.
Integrations: The trust model names AWS, Azure, and GCP external KMS services and on-premise Thales or Entrust HSMs as locations for customer root keys.
Protocol: OpenKCM describes KMIP as its standard API for applications to request key operations.
Key security: The trust model says the customer’s L1 root key remains in the customer’s external KMS or HSM, while OpenKCM holds a reference to it.
Revocation: OpenKCM describes a kill switch that can stop downstream key use by deleting the root-key pointer or revoking the root key.
Intended users: The maker identifies regulated-data organizations, enterprises with regional key-management needs, SaaS platforms seeking BYOK or HYOK, and developers of encrypted storage solutions as intended users.
Project status: The project’s GitHub page says its CMK control plane and Krypton crypto layer are actively being developed and links to documentation and a roadmap.
BYOK and HYOK: It supports importing customer keys (BYOK) and keeping master keys in the customer’s own infrastructure (HYOK).
Key hierarchy: It organizes keys in a recursive L1–L4 hierarchy and describes data keys as dependent on higher-level keys.
Governance and execution: The trust model separates the CMK governance plane from the Krypton cryptographic execution plane.
External key stores: The trust model names AWS, Azure, and GCP key services and on-premise HSMs as locations for customer root keys.

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Key Management Software in 2026#11 of 16
Best Encryption Key Management Software in 2026#9 of 16

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Sources

openkcm.io/overview/· checked 4 Oct 2026
openkcm.io/overview/crypto.html· checked 4 Oct 2026
openkcm.io/overview/trust-model.html· checked 4 Oct 2026
github.com/openkcm· checked 4 Oct 2026
github.com/openkcm/documentation· checked 5 Oct 2026
github.com/openkcm/.github/blob/main/ROADMAP.md· checked 5 Oct 2026
openkcm.io· checked 5 Oct 2026