SSL certificates act as digital guardians for your data, encrypting information to fortify your website against cyber threats. They secure data in transit, ensuring a safe space for your visitors.
Wondering how much does an SSL certificate cost? This post is for you. SSL certificate prices for domain protection and website security vary based on type and other factors and can range from free to hundreds of dollars a month.
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a business owner, securing your digital space is crucial. Dive into our comprehensive guide to SSL certificate prices and the free alternatives you may have.
- The cost of an SSL can vary according to the type of certificate (DV, OV, EV, WC), the level of security it provides, whether it covers subdomains or not, and other factors
- The simplest level of validation is Domain Validation SSL certificates, which cover only the domain. These are also the most affordable
- The Extended Validation (EV) certificates are the most expensive since they require a longer validation process
- When choosing between SSL certificates, it is important to understand the length of the validity, if you have 30 days free of charge, and hidden costs
- Warranty coverage, the certificate authority’s reputation, and other added features can also influence which certificate you choose
How Much Does an SSL Certificate Cost?
The cost of an SSL can vary from free to several hundred dollars, depending on factors such as the provider and the level of security you require. The more domains it covers, the higher the SSL certificate price.
SSL Certificate Cost by Type
Each type of SSL certificate has a different cost, which also varies according to the provider. Here are the typical costs according to type:
Single Domain SSL Certificate
Single Domain SSL Certificate protects one domain but not its subdomains, and is usually the most affordable certificate.
For example, if you own example.com, and it has blog.example.com and sales.example.com, the SSL certificate won’t protect those subdomains.
The average price for this type of SSL certificate is $10 per year.
Wildcard SSL Certificates
Wildcard SSL Certificates can protect one domain and all its subdomains. For example, this type of SSL certificate would protect blog.example.com and sales.example.com.
The average price for this type of certificate is $53 per year.
Multi-Domain SSL Certificate
The Multi-Domain SSL Certificate allows you to add several domain names to the certificate. It can protect example.com and yourwebsite.com. The average price for a multi-domain SSL certificate is $43 per year.
However, if you want to protect the subdomains too, you must buy a Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL certificate, which costs about $90 per year.
SSL Certificate Cost by Validation
Another factor that can influence the price of an SSL certificate is the provider’s validation.
Domain Validation (DV) Certificate
Validating your domain with this certificate is pretty simple. You need to show that you’re the owner of your domain to the certificate authorities, and they’ll issue the certificate. The validation process is simple, and prices start at $8 per year.
Organization Validation (OV) Certificate
To obtain OV certificates, certificate providers need to verify the authenticity of your organization. Expect to provide several business credentials, such as business licenses. Or physical addresses. These types of certificates are better for eCommerce as they offer more security to customers.
These types of SSL certificates start at about $100.
Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificate
An extended validation certificate requires more extensive proof and paperwork, besides the business licenses, they can request you send them your exact trade name, physical address, phone numbers, and manager’s names.
EVs are both the most reliable and the most expensive. These certificates start at $140 per year.
SSL Certificate Cost by Hosting Provider
You can also save time by getting the SSL certificate for your website from your hosting provider. Here are the costs for the most popular ones:
SSL Certificate Price on GoDaddy
As one of the biggest domain registrars and web hosting companies, GoDaddy also started providing SSL certificates to their customers. GoDaddy SSL certificates have strong encryption and 24/7 support.
GoDaddy SSL Certificates Features and Prices
| SSL Certificate | Validation | Issuance Time | Price per year |
| Standard DV SSL | Domain | Minutes | $69.99 |
| Deluxe OV SSL | Domain + Organization | 1-3 days | $99.99 |
| Premium EV SSL | Domain+ Full Organization | 1-5 days | $149.99 |
| UCC/SAN SSL | Domain | Minutes | $149.99 |
| Wildcard SSL | Domain | Minutes | $299.99 |
| Code Signing | Domain + Organization | 1-3 days | $199.99 |
SSL Certificate Cost on BlueHost
If your domain name is hosted in BlueHost, you can have a free SSL certificate. In most cases, the SSL certificate would be added to all new and existing domains. In some cases, you’ll need to validate the certificate manually.
SSL Certificate Price on Namecheap
Another popular domain register that also sells SSL certificates is NameCheap. Their basic package starts at $7.88 per year. Here’s a rundown of their prices:
| Certificate | Price |
| Positive SSL (DV) | $7.88 |
| Essential SSL (DV) | $16.88 |
| Instant SSL (OV) | $18.88 |
| Essential SSL Wildcard | $72.88 |
SSL Certificate Cost on Just Host
SSL certificates on Just Host start at $80.04. They require a dedicated IP address. You can also purchase a Comodo trusted private SSL via the Just Host cPanel.
Google SSL Certificate Price
Google offers managed SSL certificates for free for Google Cloud users. Some Google services include automatic issuing and installing of SSL certificates: Business Profile, Blogger, and Google Sites.
Where To Get an SSL Certificate?
There are several SSL certificate providers besides the hosting companies. Here are the most popular:
Key Features
- Strong 256-bit encryption with a 2048-bit signature key
- Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)
- Premium add-ons
- Most certificates issue in minutes
- Provide free installation help
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Reputable certificate authority
- Wide range of products
- Lower cost for SSL certificates
- 24/7 support
- Multi Domain certificates cover up to 250 domains
- Certificate management platform for larger companies
- Warranties up to $2,000,000
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Getting an EV SSL certificate can take days
| Certificate Type | Price |
| Comodo EV Multi Domain | $227.35 |
| Comodo EV SSL | $141.11 |
| Comodo OV | $116.82 |
| Comodo Wildcard DV | $156.02 |
| Comodo SSL DV Certificate | $48.61 |
| Comodo Elite SSL (OV) | $156 |
| Comodo DV UCC | $116.82 |
| Comodo Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL (OV) | $265.78 |
Key features
- Extended validation
- Organization and domain validation
- Wildcard validation
- 16 Authentication checks
- Issues within 1-3 days
- $1.5M USD warranty
- Multi-year plan
Pros
- Robust 256-bit encryption
- Unlimited free reissues during the certificate lifetime
- Large customer base
- Business practices certified in security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy
- Supports 99% of browsers and mobile browsers
Cons
- It doesn’t offer vulnerability scanning
Pricing
| Certificate | Price for one year |
| True BusinessID (EV) | $269 |
| True BusinessID Wildcard | $699 |
| QuickSSL Premium | $79.99 |
| QuickSSL Wildcard | $431 |
Key features
- Only offers Extended Validation and Organization Validation certificates
- Warranties start at $1 million and go up to $2 million
- Automates the deployment and installation of certificates across the user network.
- Easy certificate inspection
Pros
- User-friendly interface to manage certificates
- Great customer support
- Simple and efficient process to purchase SSL certificates
Cons
- More expensive than other options
- Some certificates
Pricing
| Certificate | Price |
| DigiCert Standard SSL | $151.25 |
| DigiCert Extended Validation SSL | $229.17 |
| DigiCert Multi-Domain SSL | $274.08 |
| DigiCert Multi-Domain SSL | $275.00 |
Key Features
- Free, automated, and open Certificate Authority
- Standard Domain Validation certificates
Pros
- Free of cost
- Constant updates
- Ease of use and installation
Cons
- Certificates are valid for 90 days
- While it should renew automatically, you should manually check the validity of the certificate
- There is no dedicated support team
Pricing
Free
Free SSL Certificate Options
Adding an SSL certificate to your website doesn’t always require you to spend money.
There are web hosting providers that offer free SSL certificates included in the hosting plan. Check our guide to Top providers with free SSL certificates. Here are some examples of authorities that provide free SSL certificates regardless of where you have your website hosted. :
- Cloudflare: Cloudflare offers free single-domain standard SSL certificates. These certificates are easy to install and renew automatically. The system automatically redirects your site from HTTP to HTTPS. More advanced certificates can cost up to $200 per month. It is easy to enable, offers strong security, and great if you are already a user of Cloudflare’s other products. The downside is that it only supports a limited number of browsers.
- Let’s Encrypt: Offers free DV SSL certificates. The downside is that the certificates are only valid for three months. If you get the Let’s Encrypt certificate through your hosting provider, it will renew automatically.
- SSL for Free. It offers SSL certificates for free as part of the open web. The certificates have a high level of trust among users. However, they only last 90 days, after which you need to manually renew it.
SSL Certificate Cost Comparison
| Comodo | GeoTrust | Let’s Encrypt | DigiCert | |
| Vulnerability Assessment | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Seal-in-Search | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Malware Scan | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Browser compatibility | Excellent | Excellent | Poor | Excellent |
| Server licensing | Unlimited | Per server | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Price per year | $48 | $79.99 | Free | Free to $484 |
Final Word: Is It Worth Paying for an SSL Certificate?
Premium SSL certificates may offer additional features and a higher level of trust and assurance, but they come at a higher cost. On the other hand, free SSL certificates are safe and provide basic encryption for data in transit between your website and visitors.
It is essential to understand your website’s security requirements and your budget so you can make an informed decision. If you have a simple website, free options can still offer a satisfactory level of security.
Next Steps: What Now?
- Evaluate your website security needs
- Assess what type of security your web hosting provider offers
- Choose the type of SSL certificate you need
- Select a provider and install the certificate
