MD5 vs SHA-256: Hash Algorithm Comparison

Hash functions produce fixed-length digests from arbitrary input. MD5 outputs 128 bits (32 hex chars); SHA-256 outputs 256 bits (64 hex chars). Both detect data changes — but their security properties differ significantly.

MD5: Fast but Broken

MD5 is fast and still common in legacy systems for file checksums and cache keys. However, collision attacks are practical — do not use MD5 for passwords, digital signatures, or security-critical integrity checks.

SHA-256: Modern Standard

SHA-256 is part of the SHA-2 family and is the current standard for integrity verification, blockchain, and certificate fingerprints. Use SHA-256 when security matters.

Compare all algorithms instantly with WaiHub's Hash Generator — MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 side by side.