Best SSL Certificate Providers

Guide to SSL Certificate Providers

SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, certificates are essential for keeping important data secure online. SSL certificates use encryption to protect sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, passwords, and usernames that are transmitted over the internet. These certificates are issued by a Certificate Authority (CA), which is a trusted third-party organization responsible for verifying the identity of those requesting an SSL Certificate.

SSL certificate providers come in two varieties: public certificate authorities (CAs) and private CAs. Public CAs are typically associated with larger organizations who require more rigorous authentication processes and often offer higher levels of encryption than private CAs. Popular public CAs include VeriSign, DigiCert, GoDaddy, Comodo, GlobalSign and Let's Encrypt.

Private CAs provide Digital Certificates directly from their own servers rather than relying on third-party providers like the public CAs do. Private SSL Certificate providers often offer lower levels of encryption than those provided by public CAs due to their smaller scale operations but may be preferred by some companies due to their increased control over their digital certificates. Examples of popular private Certificate Authorities include Sectigo StoreFront and RapidSSLonline; both of which provide low-cost options for small businesses and startups looking to implement SSL Certificates on their website without having to rely on third-party services or incur additional overhead costs.

It’s important to note that when selecting an SSL provider you should consider factors such as cost, customer service support available and security features offered before committing yourself to one particular provider. Additionally you should make sure your chosen SSL Certificate Provider meets industry standards established by the Browser Trusted Root Program so that any browsers your customers use will trust the connection between them and your website as secure.

In summary, SSL Certificate providers are responsible for verifying the identity of those requesting an SSL Certificate and come in two varieties - public CAs and private CAs. Both offer different levels of encryption and cost so it’s important to review all potential options before making a decision as to who will provide you with your SSL Certificate.

What Features Do SSL Certificate Providers Provide?

• Domain Validation (DV): SSL certificate providers offer Domain Validated (DV) certificates, which are the most basic and low cost type of SSL Certificate available. This type of SSL is designed for basic website encryption and authentication, allowing customers to quickly and easily add an extra layer of security to their websites. The validation process verifies that the organization requesting the certificate owns or controls the domain specified in the request.
• Organization Validation (OV): Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates take longer to issue than DV certificates as they require additional vetting by the Certification Authority's staff. They help assure website visitors that your business is legitimate and trustworthy, as they contain verified information about your company or organization including the name, address, city, state/province, country and other details required to demonstrate full ownership of a domain.
• Extended Validation (EV): Extended Validation (EV) Certificates are reserved for organizations that can meet extremely stringent identity requirements established by the CA/B Forum – a consortium of certification authorities and web browser vendors set up to maintain trust in eCommerce transactions. EV certificates are designed for larger enterprises with extensive identity verification needs; these types of organizations can show visitors an extra level of assurance that their site has been thoroughly vetted by professional cryptographers.
• Multi-Domain: While single-domain SSLs secure a single domain name with one certificate, multi-domain certifications allow multiple domain names to be secured using only one certificate. This provides greater flexibility when managing large numbers of domains while also reducing administrative costs associated with purchasing numerous individual certificates.
• Wildcard: Wildcard certs enable you to secure unlimited subdomains with a single certificate so you don't have to worry about obtaining multiple certificates whenever new subdomains are added or modified. Instead of having to purchase individual certs for each subdomain on every separate server like you would when using single-domain certs, all you need is one wildcard cert per server platforms like Apache and IIS.
• Code Signing: Code signing certificates allow developers to digitally sign applications and software programs prior to distribution through public platforms such as app stores, keeping users safe from malicious code while verifying the authenticity of downloads. By signing software code with a special digital signature algorithm Developers can ensure that their apps haven’t been tampered with during the download or installation processes.

What Are the Different Types of SSL Certificate Providers?

• Domain Validated (DV): These certificates are typically issued within a few minutes and only require the Certificate Authority (CA) to verify that the requester owns or controls the domain.
• Organization Validated (OV): These types of certificates require more validation than DV certificates, as the CA will have to confirm additional information about your organization. This usually includes business registration documents, such as articles of incorporation or other evidence that confirms you are an officially recognized company.
• Extended Validation (EV): EV Certificates provide the highest level of assurance for website visitors and require the most stringent validation process from CAs. The requirements for EV Certificates include confirmation of legal formation, the existence of physical premises, proof of authority to use a domain name, verification of business identity by authoritative sources and evocation checks for officers/directors listed in the application.
• Wildcard SSL: Wildcard SSL Certificates allow secure connections to multiple subdomains using a single certificate. This type of certificate simplifies SSL management since any number of hostnames can be secured without having to purchase multiple certificates.
• Multi-Domain SSL: Multidomain Certificates are designed to protect multiple websites simultaneously with a single certificate. With multi-domain SSL certificates, organizations can secure up to 100 domains per certificate depending on their provider’s offering. Each explicit domain must be approved separately but all approved domains are covered under one single certificate issuance charge.
• Unified Communications (UCC): UCC SSL Certificates are designed to secure multiple host names associated with Microsoft Exchange and OCS services. UCC certificates enable a server administrator to use a single certificate to secure multiple domain names at once, along with the main domain name registered to that certificate.

Benefits Provided by SSL Certificate Providers

1. Encryption of Data: One of the main advantages provided by SSL certificate providers is encryption of data. This means that any information transmitted over the internet is encrypted and secured, making it extremely difficult for malicious actors to gain access to sensitive data or exploit vulnerable systems.
2. Secure Connection: An SSL certificate provides a secure connection between the client and the server. It ensures that all requests are sent through an encrypted connection, making it much harder for hackers to hijack connections or steal data.
3. Authentication: SSL certificates also provide a layer of authentication to make sure that the website is secure and legitimate. This helps prevent users from being fooled into visiting websites that contain malware or viruses.
4. Trustworthy Brand Name: An SSL certificate provider provides customers with a trusted brand name that can be used to verify the security of a site. Customers will be more likely to trust a website if they see that it has been authorized by an SSL certificate provider, increasing their confidence in the site’s security.
5. Compliance with Regulatory Requirements: An SSL certificate provider can help companies stay compliant with any regulatory requirements related to security and privacy. For example, some industries may require companies to use an SSL certificate in order to remain compliant with regulations such as HIPAA or PCI DSS.
6. Availability of Expert Support: Most SSL certificate providers offer support services for customers who have questions or concerns about their certificates or websites’ security posture. This support can help ensure that customers are using their certificates properly and can provide guidance on how to further improve their site’s security.

Types of Users that Use SSL Certificate Providers

• Small Business Owners: These users typically need a secure connection to protect important data from being stolen. They may use an SSL certificate to encrypt communications between their customers and business website, or to securely send customer information for transactions.
• Ecommerce Websites: These users require an SSL certificate in order to process customer transactions securely through their website. It helps ensure that sensitive financial information is protected from potential fraud or hacking attempts.
• Online Banking Sites: Banks and other financial institutions need the highest level of security when handling customer accounts, which is why they use SSL certificates to ensure a safe connection between their customers and website.
• Content Providers: When streaming media online, content providers need to make sure that their content isn't intercepted or tampered with by unauthorized parties. An SSL certificate will provide encryption which ensures the integrity of the streamed data.
• Nonprofit Organizations: As nonprofits store large amounts of confidential customer data, they often require a safe method for transmitting this information securely between clients and staff members. An SSL certificate can provide this type of protection while also increasing trust among donors who may be considering making contributions to the organization's cause.
• Educational Institutions: Schools and universities often have websites where students can access course materials or submit work electronically; in order for this process to remain secure, these institutions use SSL certificates to keep any sensitive personal or academic data private.
• Social Networking Sites: In order to protect user privacy, social networking sites use SSL certificates to encrypt communication between users and the site. This helps prevent hackers from accessing sensitive information such as passwords or messages.
• Government & Military Groups: These organizations need an extra layer of security when handling highly confidential data, which is why they often use SSL certificates to keep all communications safe and secure.

How Much Do SSL Certificate Providers Cost?

The cost of an SSL certificate can vary greatly, depending on the provider and the type of certificate you choose. Generally speaking, a basic domain-validated (DV) SSL certificate will start at around $50 per year and an organization-validated (OV) or extended-validation (EV) SSL certificates that typically start at around $150–$250 per year.

If your business is ecommerce-based, an EV SSL certificate is generally recommended as it offers more trust from customers since the website has been verified by a third party. These certificates require more stringent verification processes than other types of certificates, so they can sometimes take up to several weeks to obtain depending on how long it takes for the validation process to be completed.

In addition to the cost of purchasing an SSL certificate itself, hosting providers may also charge annual or monthly fees for enabling HTTPS support on your website. Depending on who you use as your web host, these fees can range anywhere from a few dollars a month up to several hundred dollars annually. In some cases these fees include extras such as dedicated IP address and installation support from their technical staff.

Finally, if you're looking for added security protection, there are many third-party providers in the market offering additional features such as malware scanning and daily backups which come at additional costs usually starting around $100 per year depending on the provider's pricing structure.

All in all, when deciding on the best SSL certificate for your business, it's important to consider not only the cost of obtaining the certificate but also any additional fees you might incur from hosting providers and third-party services. The total cost could range anywhere from a few hundred dollars a year up to several thousand depending on how much security and protection your website needs.

What Do SSL Certificate Providers Integrate With?

Software that integrates with SSL certificate providers may include web servers, such as Apache and IIS, content management systems (CMS), such as WordPress and Drupal, ecommerce platforms like Magento and Shopify, and development frameworks, such as Ruby on Rails. These types of software can be used to install and manage the certificates on an organization's website or web application to provide a secure connection between their servers and a user's browser. Additionally, some hosting companies may provide an easy-to-use interface for purchasing, installing, and managing your certificates.

Recent Trends Related to SSL Certificate Providers

1. Increased Security Measures: Over the past few years, SSL certificate providers have increasingly been offering more secure certificates with higher standards of encryption. This is due to the rising prevalence of cyber attacks and data breaches, as well as new technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning that are making it easier for malicious actors to compromise systems.
2. Greater Flexibility: Many SSL certificate providers now offer certificates that can be used across multiple platforms and devices, allowing users to use the same certificate across multiple services. This makes it easier for organizations to manage their security protocols without needing to purchase additional certificates for each service or platform.
3. Streamlined Processes: With the rise of automation and cloud computing, many SSL certificate providers are now offering streamlined processes that make it easier for users to obtain and manage their certificates. This includes automated renewal processes and simpler ways of revoking old certificates.
4. More Affordable Prices: As SSL certificates have become more commonplace, prices have dropped significantly. This has made it easier for small businesses and individuals to purchase quality certificates without breaking the bank.
5. Improved Support: With the increased demand for SSL certificates, many providers have improved their customer service and support offerings. This includes round-the-clock customer support, detailed documentation, and tutorials to help users understand how to use the certificates correctly.

How to Select the Best SSL Certificate Provider

1. Research various SSL Certificate providers to find one that meets your needs: Start by researching different SSL Certificate providers to help you determine which provider is right for your needs. Make sure the company provides the encryption level, features and customer support that your website requires.
2. Consider your budget: Different SSL Certificate providers offer different prices based on the types of certificates they offer, so be sure to consider the cost of different certificates when making a decision.
3. Read reviews from customers: Read customer reviews online or ask friends and colleagues who have used a particular provider before signing up for an SSL Certificate with them. This will give you an idea about their customer service and product quality before committing to any provider.
4. Check for technical support: When selecting an SSL Certificate provider make sure to check if they offer any technical support or troubleshooting services in case you run into any issues when setting up the certificate on your website.
5. Compare security features: SSL Certificates vary in the type of encryption they provide and other security features, so make sure to compare different certificates before making a decision.

On this page you will find available tools to compare SSL certificate providers prices, features, integrations and more for you to choose the best software.