Blockcerts

Blockcerts is an open-source standard and software ecosystem for issuing, holding and checking blockchain-based credentials. It is aimed at schools, public agencies, licensing bodies and workforce programs that want recipients to control portable records. The strongest case is independent verification across systems; the trade-off is that issuance is deliberately difficult to undo.

Overview

Blockcerts covers the full credential lifecycle: an issuer creates and publishes a record, a recipient stores and shares it, and a verifier checks it without relying solely on the issuer’s own database. Its intended uses include civic records, academic credentials, professional licences and workforce-development achievements. The open standard and open-source approach suit organisations that need integration flexibility or want to avoid locking recipients into one commercial platform.

Key features

The Blockcerts app lets recipients receive, import, hold and share credentials. A private passphrase supports ownership and recovery, so the recipient remains responsible for access rather than treating the credential as a document that exists only in an issuer portal.

Issuers get Python tools for creating and issuing credentials, while a JavaScript verification library works in Node.js or browsers. A standalone web verifier handles independent checks, and the universal verifier can be embedded in existing software. That combination is useful for institutions with their own student, licensing or HR systems, although implementation still requires technical resources.

Verification checks issuer signatures and certificate data, and can detect expiry or revocation. Issued certificates cannot be edited: an issuer must revoke an incorrect credential or issue a replacement batch. That protects the integrity of an accepted record, but requires a clear correction process before publication. Selective disclosure currently means issuing separate certificates for high-level and detailed information; one certificate that reveals only chosen fields is a future possibility rather than the current model.

The issuer library supports Bitcoin and Ethereum, and the standard is designed to operate across blockchains. It aligns with W3C Verifiable Credentials, Data Integrity and Controlled Identifiers, including Decentralized Identifiers. The chain stores a one-way hash of certificate data, not the original record, so the underlying information cannot feasibly be reconstructed from that hash.

Bitcoin batch issuance carries a variable network transaction fee based on the recommended fee and configurable in cert-issuer. The public community forum provides a place for technical questions, discussion and news. Hyland is the primary steward, with contributions invited from other collaborators.

Pricing

Blockcerts — free. The software and app are free, making this the right fit for institutions that can manage their own implementation or use the open tools directly. Free does not mean cost-free issuance: Bitcoin batches may incur network transaction fees, and the amount varies. There are no paid tiers or seat quotas given, so the main financial consideration is the blockchain fee and the technical work required to operate an issuing workflow.

Platforms

Blockcerts supports Android, iOS and web use, with API access and self-hosted deployment. The browser-based verifier and developer libraries also make it practical to connect checking to Node.js, browser applications or existing institutional software.

Who it's for

Choose Blockcerts if you issue credentials that must remain portable, independently verifiable and usable beyond your own service. It is particularly suitable for education, government records, professional licensing and workforce programmes with technical staff and a need for open standards. It is less suitable when nontechnical administrators need a tightly managed, all-in-one hosted service, or when certificates must be edited after publication rather than revoked and replaced.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Recipient ownership: Passphrase-backed storage lets recipients hold and share their own credentials.
• Independent verification: Signatures, data integrity, expiry and revocation can be checked without trusting a single presentation copy.
• Integration options: Python, JavaScript, web-verifier and self-hosting tools accommodate custom systems.
• Open standards: W3C alignment and multi-blockchain design support portability.
• Privacy-aware anchoring: Only a one-way hash is stored on the blockchain.

Cons

• Corrections are operationally final: An incorrect certificate must be revoked or replaced, not edited.
• Issuance can cost extra: Bitcoin network fees fluctuate by recommended transaction fee.
• Selective disclosure is limited: Fine-grained disclosure currently requires separate certificates.
• Technical burden: Issuer libraries and self-hosted options favour organisations able to manage integration.

Alternatives

For a broader directory of credentialing tools, see Credentialing Software.

• Awero suits users wanting free personal or organisation accounts on Android, iOS and web, with paid custom-look setup.
• CanCred Factory is a freemium Android, iOS, web and API option with a free plan and trial.
• OpenCred is a free MIT-licensed desktop or self-hosted Docker alternative.
• POK fits organisations seeking unlimited free Web2 credentials and optional pay-as-you-go blockchain verification.
• Open Badge Passport is a free open-source choice for personal-use badges on Android, iOS and web.
• Certifier offers a hosted API and web workflow with a free annual credential allowance and paid upgrades.
• CertSeal provides hosted or self-hosted plans, including a free quota of 100 certificates per year.
• CREDEBL is a free open-source API, self-hosted and web option with community support.

Verdict

Blockcerts is a strong choice for institutions that value recipient-controlled, portable credentials and independent verification, especially when they can support custom integration. Look elsewhere if you need editable certificates, turnkey administration or predictable issuance costs without variable blockchain fees.