It is well known that SSL certificates authenticate the identity of a website and enable encrypted connections. While you know about SSL certificates and how they help your website and its visitors, the next thing you will want to know is about the cost of an SSL certificate. As there are different types of SSL certificates, the cost of the certificate will depend on the type of certificate you choose for your website. Read on to learn what are the different types of SSL certificates and their cost.
What are SSL Certificates?
SSL or Secure Sockets Layer is an encryption-based online security protocol that secures data transferred between the server and the web browser. This digital certificate allows users to authenticate a website’s identity. It uses a set of algorithms to scramble data that is transferred and makes sure it reaches the recipient securely.
When a user tries to connect to a website that is secured by an SSL certificate through the browser, the web server will identify the request the browser sends and send the browser a copy of the website’s SSL certificate. The browser will then analyze the SSL certificate it received and check whether the website is secure and safe. If it finds the website to be safe, it will send signals to the server, and the server, in turn, will start an encrypted connection by sending a digitally signed acknowledgment. After this, data will securely be shared between the server and the browser.
This process, known as an SSL handshake, will happen within milliseconds. This process will not happen if the website does not have an SSL certificate. If the website is secured with an SSL certificate, you will see a padlock symbol on the address bar before the name of the website and the URL of the website will start with HTTPS.
When you click on the padlock symbol, you will see the details of the certificate, which will include the following.
- The name of the certificate authority (CA) that issued the SSL certificate
- The domain name for which the CA issued the certificate and the name of the organization
- The digital signature of the CA
- The date on which the certificate was issued and the expiry date
- Names of the subdomains associated with the domain
- The public key
Why Should You Secure Your Website With an SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate creates an encrypted tunnel between the web browser and the server and makes sure data is transferred securely. It verifies the website’s identity and also keeps the data of the website visitors safe. It makes sure no third party, including hackers, steal information transferred between the server and the browser.
If your website accepts payments, it is mandatory to have an SSL certificate as it will safeguard your users’ financial details and other personal information including, credit card information, login details, medical records, legal details, address, and more.
It protects your visitors’ sensitive data and makes sure hackers and other third parties do not steal the data that is transferred. Phishing attacks and other kinds of cyber attacks will be a thing of the past. SSL certificates will protect your websites from cyber attacks. Apart from that, SSL certificates will help your website to get better search engine rankings.
Websites without SSL certificates are often flagged by search engines like Google. So if your website does not have an SSL certificate, it may not even appear on the search results, and as a result of which, you will not receive visitors to your website. When you secure your website with an SSL certificate, users and search engines will trust your website, and this will, in turn, help you gain better search engine rankings.
Different Types of SSL Certificates and the Cost of SSL Certificates
Based on the validation levels and the number of domains and subdomains they can secure, SSL certificates are classified into six categories.
1. Single Domain SSL Certificate
These SSL certificates secure just one domain and a subdomain. For example, with a single domain SSL certificate, you can secure www.example,com and subdomain.example.com. The following are a few single-domain SSL certificates.
| Certificate Name | Price |
| Comodo PositiveSSL | $5.45/year |
| RapidSSL | $4.97/year |
| Geotrust QuickSSL Premium | $34.09/year |
| Thawte SSL 123 | $26.54/year |
2. Wildcard SSL Certificates
Wildcard SSL certificates can secure a domain and all associated subdomains. For example, you can secure www.domain.com, blog.domain.com, info.domain.com, etc.
Here are a few Wildcard SSL certificates.
| Certificate Name | Price |
| FastSSL DV Wildcard | $38.95/year |
| RapidSSL Wildcard Certificate | $49.74/year |
| Comodo PositiveSSL Wildcard | $52.92/year |
| Comodo Essential SSL Wildcard | $65.03/year |
| Sectigo SSL Wildcard | $139.55/year |
3. Multi-domain SSL Certificates
As its name claims, multi-domain SSL certificates can secure multiple domains and all associated subdomains. There is no limit on the number of domains or accompanying subdomains this certificate can secure.
The following are the most popular multi-domain SSL certificates.
| Certificate Name | Price |
| Comodo Positive Multi-Domain SSL | $18.02/year |
| Sectigo OV SSL Multi-Domain/UCC | $73.70/year |
| GeoTrust QuickSSL Multi-Domain | $94.21/year |
| Comodo Multi-Domain SSL | $101.14/year |
| Sectigo OV SSL Multi-Domain Wildcard | $226.58/year |
4. Domain validation (DV) certificate
These certificates are the easiest to get as the validation process is pretty simple. All you need to do to get your website a DV SSL certificate is to verify your ownership of the name of the domain. You only need to go through a simple and straightforward validation process to get this certificate.
| Certificate Name | Price |
| FastSSL DV Certificate | $3.98/year |
| RapidSSL Certificate | $4.97/year |
| Comodo PositiveSSL | $5.45/year |
| Comodo Essential SSL | $16.46/year |
| Sectigo SSL | $46.46/year |
5. Organization Validation (OV) Certificate
The validation process for OV SSL certificates is not as simple as that of DV SSL certificates. The CA will verify the authenticity of your business before issuing an OV SSL certificate to your website. You will be required to prove the legitimacy of your business to get this certificate. This certificate is suitable for e-commerce websites and other high-profile websites.
| Certificate Name | Price |
| Comodo Instant SSL | $23.51/year |
| Sectigo OV SSL | $65.83/year |
| Comodo Instant Premium SSL | $43.08/year |
| Thawte SSL Web Server Certificates | $81.54/year |
6. Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificate
When compared to the other types of SSL certificates, EV SSL certificates are more expensive. You will need to go through a rigorous validation process to get this SSL certificate. You will be required to provide proof and documents related to your business to get an EV SSL certificate. However, these SSL certificates are the most secure SSL certificates and are suitable for high-profile websites that collect sensitive data and e-commerce websites.
| Certificate Name | Price |
| Comodo PositiveSSL EV | $69.85/year |
| Comodo EV SSL | $114.46/year |
| Sectigo EV SSL | $114.46/year |
| GeoTrust True BusinessID with EV Certificate | $147.42/year |
| Thawte SSL Webserver EV | $158.03/year |
Conclusion
We have listed above the different types of SSL certificates and their cost. An SSL certificate is mandatory to secure your website and its visitors. We hope this article helped you choose the right SSL certificate for your website.
