8 Best SSL Certificate Providers to Buy!

In the digital landscape, security is paramount for every entrepreneur or business that operates a website. The rising threat of online attacks poses a serious risk to the success of any organization. Your brand and reputation hinge on the security of your site, especially since customers trust you with sensitive information such as credit card details and personal credentials.

In the event of a data breach or loss of customer information, it’s likely that customers will hesitate to return to your website. This is where SSL certificates become essential, playing a crucial role in your overall online security strategy.

In this article, we’ll present a list of the best SSL certificate providers to help you choose the most suitable option for your website.

What is an SSL certificate?

SSL certificates provide a means to encrypt and protect the communication between your website and its visitors. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, which is the technology that enables this encryption. These certificates are small data files that secure a cryptographic key tied to a business credentials.

They link domain names and server names to a companies data and physical location. SSL certificates are commonly used on web pages that request sensitive information from users, such as passwords or payment details. Therefore, it's essential to implement them on your payment pages, login forms, opt-in forms, and similar areas.

When these encryptions are in place, they create a "lock" that prevents unauthorized access to online activities, thereby securing the connection. This safeguards against hackers attempting to read or steal credit card information, login credentials, passwords and other sensitive data.

In the context of social media sites, secure browsing has become increasingly important. As you navigate the web, it's easy to identify websites that utilize SSL. You will often see a padlock icon next to their URL, indicating that the site is secure.

For example, this padlock should appear in your browser’s address bar when visiting well-known websites like Google:

For any website, especially e-commerce platforms or those utilizing email servers, having a valid SSL certificate is essential to establish its identity to users. This certificate is accessible for any visitor, allowing them to verify the legitimacy of the business.

Beyond safeguarding users' payment details, passwords, and usernames, SSL certificates enhance data security, boost your Google search rankings, and strengthen the trust between you and your customers. Additionally, they can effectively improve conversion rates, as users are more likely to make purchases from secure websites.

To start offering secure browsing sessions for your visitors, simply install the SSL certificate on your web server. Once this is completed, the web traffic between the browser and the server is protected from hacking attempts. Another way to identify a secure site is by observing the URL; a secure site will display “https://” at the beginning, as opposed to “http://.”

Things to Consider Before Buying an SSL certificate

Which level of validation to choose?

When it comes to SSL certificates, there are three levels of validation, which show the visual clues your site has to prove that it is secure. These validation levels include:

• Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificates: These provide basic protection without visual cues and are linked to your business. They are ideal for those on a budget or for websites that do not collect personal information.
• Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates: These offer basic business verification for the company requesting the SSL certificate, available at an affordable rate.
• Extended Validated (EV) SSL Certificates: These provide the most visual cues and require the highest level of business verification to obtain.

How many domains do you want to protect?

If you need to secure a single domain, purchasing a single certificate is straightforward. However, many website owners need to protect multiple domains, which can be categorized as fully-qualified domains and subdomains.

Wildcard SSL Certificate

Wildcard SSL certificates allow you to secure an unlimited number of subdomains under a single main domain using one SSL certificate. With a Wildcard SSL, you can protect:

• domain.com (main domain)
• mail.domain.com
• login.domain.com
• ftp.domain.com

Wildcard SSL certificates offer two main benefits. First, they eliminate the hassle of purchasing and installing individual certificates for each domain, saving you time and avoiding the validation process. Second, they help you save money since you don’t have to pay for each certificate separately.

Note: Wildcard certificates come with two types of domain validation: Domain Validation (DV) and Organization Validation (OV).

Multi-domain/SAN SSL Certificate

Multi-domain or SAN SSL certificates provide an advantage over Wildcard SSL certificates. Unlike Wildcard certificates, these allow you to secure multiple fully-qualified domains, including various subdomains. If you need to secure more than one main domain, consider opting for SAN SSL certificates.

8 Best SSL Certificate Providers That You Can Rely On

1. SSL2BUY

SSL2BUY being a top most SSL certificate provider focuses on keeping customers trust on a higher notch with offering well known SSL certificates. By keeping all SSL seekers interest in mind, the company has a vast portfolio of SSL security that matches the security requirements of every individual, small, medium and large businesses.

SSL2BUY excels in sales support and after-sales service, boasting a high customer satisfaction rate. Customers can receive assistance through chat, ticketing, and email support.

Pricing

• Domain Validated (DV) starts at $8/year
• Wildcard SSL Certificate starts at $34/year
• Multi-Domain SSL starts at $15/year
• EV SSL Certificate starts at $61.60/year
• OV SSL starts at $48/year

Pros and Cons of SSL2BUY

Pros

• Affordable SSL certificates
• 24/7 customer support
• Easy accessibility
• 30-day refund policy
• Free installation support

Cons

• Can be challenging for beginners to set up
• The official website is very simple

2. SSLs

SSLs.com is one of the most popular SSL certificate providers, targeting small-and-medium-sized websites providing comparatively low-priced SSL protection, dedicated support staff, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Additionally, SSLs provide website visitors with the option to view real-time verification of business credentials. All they need to do is hover over the padlock icon.

The certificate offers a high level of security with 2048-bit signatures and 256-bit encryption keys.

Pricing

• Personal SSL starts at $3/year
• eCommerce SSL certificate starts at $36/year

Pros and Cons of SSLs.com

Pros

• Affordable pricing
• Diverse selection of SSL certificate options

Cons

• Challenging for individuals with limited technical knowledge to configure SSL certificates

3. SSL.com

As the name implies, SSL.com focuses exclusively on the sale and implementation of SSL certificates. The company is a highly-rated certificate authority, offering a wide range of options including trusted SSL, unified communication, wildcard, subject alternative name, and extended validation certificates.

To appeal to a diverse customer base, SSL.com provides tiered certificates tailored to the needs of organizations of all sizes, from small businesses with basic SSL requirements to large enterprises seeking multi-domain and subdomain licensing.

Pricing

The price of SSL.com starts at $36/year.

Pros and Cons of SSL.com

Pros

• Well-known and respected Certificate Authority (CA) with a long history of providing secure SSL certificates.
• Robust encryption and security features to protect sensitive data transmitted between users and websites.
• Responsive customer support available through multiple channels.

Cons

• Relatively more expensive compared to some other certificate providers.
• Certificate issuance may lead to delays in securing websites or launching new projects.

4. Entrust

Based in the US, Entrust has been in operation since 1994 and has built a reputation for providing seamless certification solutions.

Entrust is known for its wide range of security products, including ID card printers, credit card printers, authentication systems, and a PKI. With significant investments in secure systems, SSL certificates are among its most robust offerings. Customers appreciate the ability to manage multiple certificates across various domains from a single management console.

Regarding customer service, Entrust provides support through chat, email, and phone, with dedicated phone lines for different countries worldwide.

Pricing

Entrust’s pricing ranges from $174 to $608 per year.

Pros and Cons of Entrust

Pros

• Diverse selection of SSL certificate options, including Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), Extended Validation (EV), Wildcard, and Multi-Domain certificates.
• Widely recognized and trusted by major web browsers and operating systems.

Cons

• Fewer advanced features or additional perks compared to some competitors.

5. GlobalSign

GlobalSign is a Belgium-based certificate authority, renowned for being one of the most popular choices among large enterprises. It offers standard validation levels in both wildcard and SAN variants.

Single domain certificates allow you to encrypt subdomains such as www, mail, owa, and auto-discover. This feature is particularly beneficial if you use one of these as your mailing subdomain.

Additionally, GlobalSign provides access to unlimited server licenses and certificate reissues through its management portal. The service includes an SSL checker, daily malware scanning, phishing detection, and a trust seal.

Notably, GlobalSign offers discount codes for customers transferring from another SSL provider or upgrading to an EV certificate. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for larger organizations needing multiple certificates.

Pricing

• $249 per year for Domain Validated (DV)
• $349 per year for Organization Validated (OV)
• $599 per year for Extended Validated (EV)

Pros and Cons of GlobalSign

Pros

• Supports SA 2048+ or ECC 256, 384-bit keys.
• Provides unlimited certificate reissues and replacements.
• Offers free access to GlobalSign’s Certificate Inventory Tool and SSL Server Test.
• Allows installation on as many servers as needed.

Cons

• Does not provide Premium Consulting/Integration Services.

6. SecureTrust

SecureTrust is a subsidiary of TrustWave Holdings, focusing on OV and EV certificates, making it particularly suitable for businesses. These certificates come in five pricing tiers, allowing you to secure up to 5, 10, 20, 50, or 100 domains.

The validation process is straightforward. Initially, you must prove domain ownership via email, after which SecureTrust will verify your business information.

Support is available 24/7 through standard channels such as live chat, phone, and email, providing users with quick, helpful responses.

Pricing

The cost of SecureTrust SSL certificates starts at $157.49 per year.

Pros

• Extensive experience in security and compliance, including PCI compliance validation.
• Offers additional services beyond just issuing certificates, such as web risk monitoring and two-factor authentication.

Cons

• Primarily focuses on providing solutions for large enterprises rather than small businesses.

7. GeoTrust

Previously owned by VeriSign and Norton, GeoTrust now operates as a subsidiary of DigiCert. The company specializes in three key areas: SSL certificates, SSL, and signing services for enterprise clients.

For those seeking SSL certification, GeoTrust offers a comprehensive range that starts with domain-level certificates and extends to their True BusinessID with EV-level certification.

GeoTrust SSL certificates have found applications in various sectors, including government, healthcare, and finance. While the authority may take time to perform identity checks for Organization and Extended Validation certificates, the investment is worthwhile as it protects your business from security threats and phishing attacks while enhancing your online identity.

Additionally, GeoTrust is equipped with features to ensure top-notch security for your site, including 256-bit encryption. They also provide a warranty of up to $1,500,000 and a 30-day return policy for customers.

Pricing

The cost of GeoTrust SSL certificates ranges from $61.20 per year to $330.37 per year.

Pros

• Utilizes industry-standard encryption algorithms to ensure secure data transmission and protection of sensitive information.
• Offers competitive pricing compared to other established brands, with options suitable for various budgets.

Cons

• Provides lower warranty coverage on certain certificate types compared to some competitors.
• Limited options for customer support.

8. Thawte

Holding over 40% of the international market, Thawte is a prominent SSL certificate provider in the industry. After a series of acquisitions that concluded in 2017, the brand is now owned by DigiCert. While DigiCert focuses on large enterprise-level clients, That’s solutions are tailored primarily for medium-sized businesses and small enterprises.

Their offerings are categorized into three products, each providing varying levels of customer assurance and coverage warranties. Customers can purchase these certificates as multi-year plans for up to six years, with the option to add a wildcard SSL certificate for an additional fee. Typically, Thawte issues certificates within three days, with basic plans being set up in just a few minutes.

Pricing

Thawte's SSL certificates range from $149 per year to $344 per year.

Pros

• Integrates seamlessly with major website builders and hosting platforms.
• A recognized name in the SSL certificate industry since 1995, trusted by both businesses and users.

Cons

• Acquired by DigiCert in 2017, which may lead some users to prefer avoiding reliance on a single large provider.