SHA-256 vs MD5: Which Hash Should You Use in 2025?
Published April 2025 · 5 min read
MD5 and SHA-256 are both hash functions, but they're very different in security. Here's the definitive comparison for 2025.
Quick Answer
Use SHA-256. MD5 is broken for security purposes. Period.
Comparison Table
| Feature | MD5 | SHA-256 |
|---|---|---|
| Output size | 128 bits (32 hex chars) | 256 bits (64 hex chars) |
| Speed | Very fast | Fast |
| Collision resistant | ❌ No (broken in 2004) | ✅ Yes |
| Use for passwords | ❌ Never | ⚠️ Use bcrypt instead |
| Use for checksums | ⚠️ Legacy only | ✅ Yes |
When MD5 is Still OK
- Non-security checksums (file deduplication)
- Cache keys
- Legacy system compatibility
When to Use SHA-256
- File integrity verification
- Digital signatures
- Blockchain and certificates
- Any security-sensitive hashing
For Passwords: Use Neither!
For password hashing, use bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2. These are deliberately slow to prevent brute-force attacks. SHA-256 and MD5 are too fast for password hashing.
Try It
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