Sphereon
Developer Kits
Build Digital Credential and Identity applications using Sphereon IDK or EDK Software Developer Kits.
An SDK provides the protocol and cryptographic building blocks you embed in your own software, so your team can implement credential flows without re-inventing the underlying standards.
| Sphereon IDK (Identity Development Kit) | Sphereon EDK (Enterprise Development Kit) | |
Best for: R&D and product teams who want fine-grained control over protocols and cryptography, are building single-tenant solutions (or their own tenancy model), and need low-level integration flexibility. |
Best for: development teams that are building production-grade applications with strict requirements for enterprise security, key-custody, performance, and audit/compliance functionality. |
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| Includes: open-source SDK libraries for credential protocols and cryptography (primary support for Kotlin/Java; community-supported JavaScript/TypeScript). | Includes: deployable runtimes, applications and database adapters, secure key integrations with QTSPs, and compliance-grade logging functionality. | |
| Jump to: Sphereon IDK | Jump to: Sphereon EDK |
Quickly build issuers, verifiers, and wallet integrations for Digital Credentials and eIDAS 2.0 compliance using standards-based SDKs.
Comparative Matrix:
The Comparative Matrix is a quick “at a glance” guide to help you choose the right starting point in the Sphereon ecosystem.
IDK is the lowest-level option: you embed open-source SDK libraries and take full responsibility for building and operating the surrounding service layer.
EDK is the step up for production software: it is still developer-led, but it adds the runtime, persistence, secure key integrations, and audit/compliance controls that enterprises typically need.
| Feature | IDK (Identity Dev Kit) | EDK (Enterprise Dev Kit) | VDX (Verifiable Data Exchange) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature | Low-level Libraries (SDK) | Enterprise Modules & Extensions | Platform / API Solution |
| Primary User | Core Developer / Researcher | Enterprise Developer / Architect | Solution Architect / Integrator |
| Key Management | Local / Software Keys / Cloud HSMs | External QTSP / HSM providers | Fully Managed / Abstracted |
| Complexity | High (Requires deep SSI knowledge) | Medium (Requires Integration knowledge) | Low (Business Logic focused) |
| Integration Style | Import Library | Import Modules + Configure Connectors | REST API Calls |
| Maintenance | Manual updates of libraries | Managed modules | Platform managed by Sphereon |
| Jump to: | Sphereon IDK | Sphereon EDK | Sphereon VDX |
Need help choosing?
If you would like a detailed walkthrough of the options, we are available to help you select the right starting point for your architecture, security requirements, and delivery timeline.
We offer consultancy for design, development, integration, and deployment, as well as ongoing support with multiple Service Level Agreement (SLA) options—ranging from developer support to production support for business-critical services.
Contact us to discuss your requirements and we will propose the most suitable approach.