SSL certificates, also known as the ‘s’ in https://, ensure that the data transmitted among them remains private and safe. These small data files do so by connecting a cryptographic key to the site owner’s details and establishing an encrypted link between web server and browser. There are several types of SSL certificates available, which you can purchase from your web hosting provider or a third-party service depending on your site’s needs.

To help guarantee you have all the information needed to make an educated decision when it comes to choosing your web infrastructure including how to host a website, or create one, we've put together a curated selection of the best SSL certificate providers available, including a description of their offering, key features and pricing.

Best SSL certificate providers

1. Wix

2. DigiCert

3. Sectigo

4. GeoTrust

5. Entrust

6. Thawte

7. SSL.com

8. Network Solutions

9. GoDaddy

10. Globalsign

01. Wix

Price: Free

Wix offers a one-stop website security solution for businesses from a broad variety of industries. And for any individual or business with a website, having a comprehensive of cybersecurity basics is key to protecting against attacks. On top of their industry-leading drag-and-drop website builder platform, the company provides users with a wide array of tools to optimize their site, including free web hosting (view other web hosting costs in this guide), advanced SEO features and domain name registrar.

If you've covered how to make a website with Wix, you already know that your website security will be automatically equipped with one of the best free SSL certificates in the market. This allows you to ensure visitors’ data is secure at all times, without worrying about renovation timelines or added fees. Furthermore, receiving a free SSL certificate has a direct impact on the final website cost, reducing it to a minimum. Prevention, detection and response are the pillars of Wix security.

At Wix we take our commitment to protecting our users' websites and their data seriously. To learn more about how we do this visit our Privacy and Security Hub.

Key Wix features:

• Free SSL certificate

• Robust web hosting

• Automatic, smooth validation

02. DigiCert

Price: Starting at $207/year

After acquiring Norton and Symantec’s website security solutions in 2017, DigiCert has become the go-to SSL certificate provider for Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies. The company’s offering ranges from standard products such as OV and EV SSL certificate variations, to advanced solutions such as their post-quantum cryptography security model.

In addition to being a leading provider in the field, DigiCert is directly involved in the development of new SSL technologies. The company is a founding member of the CA/Browser Forum, an industry body made up of certificate authorities and web browsers with the goal of improving the way that certificates are used to benefit internet users and keep their communications secure.

Key features:

• Wildcard SSL certificates

• Fast certificate issuance

• Norton trust seal

03. Sectigo

Price: Starting at $79/year

Formerly known as Comodo CA, Sectigo is one of the most affordable SSL certificate providers among the leading names in the industry. In recent years, their aggressive pricing has enabled them to rapidly grow their market share and conquer a spot among the most trusted sellers.

Sectigo offers all common types of SSL certificates, including single and multiple-domain as well as wildcard with domain or organization validation. Furthermore, extended validation certificates (EV) are available in both single and multiple-domain options.

Key features:

• Affordable pricing

• Intuitive certificate manager

• All types of SSL certificates

04. GeoTrust

Price: Starting at $149/year

Previously owned by VeriSign and Norton, GeoTrust currently operates as a subsidiary of DigiCert. Users can acquire a wide variety of SSL certificates and related products, including single-domain, wildcard and extended validation certificates.

GeoTrust offers substantial discounts on the purchase of a great number of licenses, making it one of the best SSL certificate providers for large businesses and resellers. Additionally, the company provides tailored solutions to enterprise-level firms under the categories of governmental organization, financial institution and healthcare business.

Key features:

• Bulk-purchasing options

• Tailor solutions for enterprises

• Warranty up to $1.5 million

05. Entrust

Price: Starting at $199 /year

Previously known as Entrust Datacard, Entrust has been providing security solutions since the early days of the World Wide Web. With a wide range of products in diverse industries, SSL certificates are widely considered the brand’s strongest offering.

Catering to their business audience, Entrust offers only organization validation and extended validation certificates, with the former being available in single and multiple-domain variants as well as wildcard SSL. These certificates can be installed on an unlimited number of servers with no added cost, and reissued during their term without replacement fees.

Key features:

• Website and network vulnerability scans

• Unlimited reissues and server licensing

• Robust expiration reporting platform

06. Thawte

Price: Starting at $149/year

Reportedly claiming more than 40% of the global market, Thawte is one of the best SSL certificate providers in the industry. After a series of acquisitions that culminated in 2017, the brand is currently owned by DigiCert. Whereas its parent company focuses on large enterprise-level customers, Thawte’s solutions cater primarily to medium-sized businesses and small enterprises.

Their offering is divided into three products with various degrees of customer assurance and covered warranty. Each of them can be purchased as a multi-year plan for up to six years, as well as paired with a wildcard SSL certificate for an added cost. Thawte issues most certificates in under three days, with basic plans taking as little as a few minutes to set up.

Key features:

• Fast issuance time

• Unlimited server licensing

• Warranty up to $1.5 million

07. SSL.com

Price: Starting at $36.75/year

As the name implies, SSL.com focuses entirely on the sale and implementation of SSL certificates. The company is a top-rated certificate authority, and their extensive offering includes trusted SSL, wildcard, unified communication, subject alternative name and extended validation certificates.

In order to appeal to a broad range of customers, SSL.com provides tiered certificates catered to the needs of organizations of all levels and sizes, from small businesses with basic SSL requirements to large enterprises looking for multiple domain and subdomain licensing.

Key features:

• Affordable pricing

• Unlimited server license and reissues

• Warranty up to $2 million

08. Network Solutions

Price: Starting at $59.99/year with 2-year term

Established in 1979, Networks Solutions is one of the most well-known names in the digital services industry. While their SSL certificate provider role has yet to become a defining part of the brand, the low entry price of their offer has put them on the map as a worthy option for small and medium businesses.

The company’s offering includes multi-year term domain, organization, extended and multiple-domain SSL certificates, as well as wildcard and extended certificates. It’s important to note that the base price for the different packages does not include fast validation time, meaning the process might take up to five business days.

Key features:

• Low entry pricing

• Warranty up to $1 million

• Fast issuance available

09. GoDaddy

Price: Starting at $79.99/year

Globally known as a domain registrar, GoDaddy provides SSL certificates as part of their web security offering. The pricing structure is based on a single website and multiple sites for domain, organization and extended validation, as well as wildcard SSL for unlimited subdomains with domain or organization validation.

One product that sets GoDaddy apart from the majority of other platforms on the list is their Managed SSL Service, aimed at users of their hosting platform. This service is available under the same pricing structure mentioned above, and includes automated installation and ongoing maintenance.

Key features:

• Significant initial discounts

• Managed SSL Services

• Unlimited server license and reissues

10. GlobalSign

Price: Starting at $249/year

GlobalSign is widely considered one of the best SSL certificate providers for enterprise-level organizations. The company has been a WebTrust accredited certificate authority since 2001, and has established itself as a trusted entity for secure connection and transaction services.

Their offering includes the three main types of SSL certificates, all of which support wildcards and up to 100 subject alternate names. Additionally, the company provides elliptic curve cryptography certificates that promise stronger security and better performance.

Key features:

• Scalable solutions

• Warranty up to $1.5 million

• ECC support available

How to choose the best SSL certificates

Choosing the best SSL certificate for your website involves considering several key factors to ensure optimal security, compatibility and trustworthiness. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to choose the right SSL certificate:

Consider your website and business needs

Determine the specific security requirements of your website. Consider factors such as the type of website you have (eCommerce, blog, corporate, enterprise), the level of encryption needed and any compliance requirements (e.g., PCI DSS for online payments).

Validation level

Decide on the validation level required for your SSL certificate. There are three main types: 1. Domain validation (DV): Offers basic encryption and verifies domain ownership only.

2. Organization validation (OV): Provides additional validation of the organization's identity

along with domain ownership.

3. Extended validation (EV): Offers the highest level of validation, including rigorous identity verification of the organization, displayed prominently in the browser address bar.

Think about brand recognition

Choose a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) with a strong reputation and recognition by major web browsers. Certificates from reputable CAs instill confidence in visitors and enhance the credibility of your website.

Compatibility and support

Check that your SSL certificate is compatible with all major web browsers and devices to provide a seamless browsing experience for visitors. Additionally, consider the level of customer support provided by the CA, including technical assistance and certificate management tools.

Encryption strength

Select an SSL certificate with robust encryption algorithms to secure data transmitted between the user's browser and your server. Look for certificates that support strong encryption standards such as SHA-2 and RSA or ECC encryption.

Scalability and features

Consider the scalability of the SSL certificate to accommodate future growth and additional security features. Look for features such as wildcard certificates for securing subdomains, multi-domain support for securing multiple domains with a single certificate and SNI (Server Name Indication) compatibility for hosting multiple SSL certificates on the same IP address.

Price and budget

Compare pricing plans from different CAs and choose an SSL certificate that fits within your budget while meeting your security requirements. Keep in mind that higher validation levels (e.g., EV) and additional features may come at a higher cost. When you create a website with Wix, an SSL certificate is included with all sites.

Best SSL certificate providers FAQ

What are the main types of SSL certificates?

• Domain validated (DV) certificates: Verify domain ownership and provide basic encryption.

• Organization validated (OV) certificates: Include organization details in the certificate, offering higher validation.

• Extended validation (EV) certificates: Rigorous validation process, displaying the organization's name in the browser's address bar for increased trust.

• Wildcard certificates: Secure a main domain and its subdomains with a single certificate.

• Multi-domain (SAN) certificates: Protect multiple domains with a single certificate.

• Single and multi-year certificates: Varying validity periods for certificate options.

How to choose an SSL certificate?

Choose an SSL certificate by considering your website's needs. For basic encryption, a Domain Validated (DV) certificate suffices. For increased trust, opt for an Organization Validated (OV) certificate and for the highest level, choose Extended Validation (EV).Assess the certificate provider's reputation, support and pricing. Ensure compatibility with your server and the level of security required.

How do I tell if a website has SSL?

You can tell if a website has an SSL certificate by checking the URL in your web browser. Websites with SSL will have URLs that start with "https://" instead of "http://". Additionally, most browsers display a padlock icon in the address bar to indicate that the connection is secure. You can click on the padlock icon to view details about the SSL certificate.

What kind of encryption does SSL use?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) use a combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption algorithms to secure data transmitted over the internet. These include symmetric encryption algorithms like AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and asymmetric encryption algorithms like RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) or Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). Symmetric encryption is used for encrypting data, while asymmetric encryption is used for key exchange and authentication.

Is TLS better than SSL?

TLS (Transport Layer Security) is an updated and more secure version of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). TLS supersedes SSL and includes improvements in security protocols and encryption algorithms. In practice, TLS is considered better than SSL in terms of security and compatibility with modern web standards.

Who needs an SSL certificate?

Any website that collects or handles sensitive information from its users should have an SSL certificate. This includes eCommerce platforms, content websites, business pages and membership or subscription-based websites. This protects sensitive information from interception and unauthorized access.

Are some SSL certificates better than others?

Yes, some SSL certificates are better due to higher validation levels (EV, OV), stronger encryption, reputable CAs and additional features like wildcard support, site seals, and warranties. If you have any questions about your SSL certificate, check with your website builder or platform.

What's the role of SSL certification in emerging technologies, such as AI and blockchain?

SSL helps secures the movement of data in emerging technologies like AI and blockchain by securing encryption, data integrity and authentication - protecting against cyber threats and ensuring secure, trusted interactions and transactions. It makes the the technologies for everyone to use, from businesses to persnal users. It encourages faster and wider adoption of new technologies too.

How do SSL certificates impact website load times and how can performance be optimized?

SSL certificates can slightly impact website load times due to the handshake process and encryption overhead. To optimize performance, enable HTTP/2, use modern TLS versions (e.g., TLS 1.3, and implement session resumption to reduce handshake delays. Additionally, optimize server configurations, use lightweight cryptographic algorithms and employ Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to minimize latency and improve overall site speed.

How does an SSL certificate ensure end-to-end encryption while preventing man-in-the-middle attacks?

An SSL certificate ensures end-to-end encryption by using public-key cryptography during the TLS handshake. The server shares its public key, verified by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA), allowing the client to encrypt data. Only the server's private key can decrypt it. This prevents man-in-the-middle attacks, as attackers can't forge the server's identity or decrypt intercepted data without the private key, ensuring secure communication between the client and server.