Best SSL Certificate Providers to Prevent Digital Threats of 2024
Imagine the dismay of potential visitors when they encounter a daunting message in their browser warning them about the lack of security on your site. Fear not; we are here to illuminate a simple yet powerful solution: a secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate.
At Certera, we understand the significance of robust website security and its impact on your online success. We have meticulously researched and analyzed various SSL certificate providers, scrutinizing pricing, certificate types, and support. Our findings have culminated in this comprehensive ranking, which showcases the top SSL certificate services available in the market.
SSL certificates come in different types, including Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV).
Regardless of the type, these certificates work magic by transforming your website’s HTTP protocol into secure HTTPS, instilling trust in your site visitors, and even appeasing Google’s ranking algorithms.
Beyond the search engine optimization (SEO) benefits, SSL certificates encrypt the data transmitted to and from your site, safeguarding sensitive information.
A small business owner, an e-commerce entrepreneur, or anyone seeking to strengthen their online presence will find the best SSL certificate provider for their needs.
Let’s dive into the top contenders and discover the SSL certificate shielding your website from digital threats in 2024 and beyond.
Certera
Certera CA is a renowned certificate authority providing SSL/TLS certificates to ensure secure online communication. It has established itself as a trusted and reliable certificate authority. You can buy Certs starting at $3.99 per year only!
Certera Certificate Authority offers certificates recognized and accepted by major web browsers and operating systems. It ensures that visitors will trust your SSL certificates on your website.
Pros:
- Certera CA offers various SSL certificate options to cater to different business needs. Whether you require a basic Domain Validated (DV) certificate or a more extensive Extended Validation (EV) certificate, Certera CA has you covered.
- Implements robust encryption algorithms to protect data transmitted between your website and visitors. This ensures that sensitive information remains confidential and secure, enhancing the trustworthiness of your website.
- Also known for its responsive and knowledgeable customer support team. If you encounter any issues or have questions regarding your SSL certificates, their support staff can assist
- Economic pricing of all SSL And Code Signing Certificates compared to other CAs.
Cons:
- Certera CA might have a different level of brand recognition than some other well-known certificate authorities. As Its modern and new Certificate Authority this could lead to visitor unfamiliarity with the CA, which may cause initial trust concerns. However, this can be mitigated by displaying trust indicators such as the SSL padlock and other site seals.
Buy Certera SSL Certificates Starts at $3.99 Per Year
Comodo
Comodo is one of the industry’s largest and most well-known certificate authorities. With a long-standing presence and a strong track record, they have gained the trust of businesses and individuals worldwide. The brand recognition of Comodo CA can help establish immediate trust with website visitors. It will cost you $7.49 per year.
Pros:
- Comodo CA offers a comprehensive selection of SSL certificates, including Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV) certificates. So you can choose the level of validation and security that suits your needs.
- Comodo is known for its competitive pricing structure, making SSL certificates accessible to many businesses. Their affordability and the brand’s reputation can be appealing factor for cost-conscious website owners.
- It is a streamlined issuance process that enables quick issuance of SSL certificates, allowing you to secure your website promptly. It is particularly advantageous for time-sensitive situations or urgent security needs.
Cons:
- In 2019, Comodo CA rebranded as Sectigo following an acquisition. In comparison, the change in name does not directly impact the quality or functionality of their SSL certificates. It can lead to confusion for those accustomed to the Comodo CA brand.
- It offers a wide range of SSL certificate products, and navigating through their product line can sometimes be overwhelming for users who are new to SSL certificates. Understanding and choosing the most suitable certificate for your requirements may require extra effort.
- Some users have reported mixed experiences with Comodo CA’s customer support. While they do provide support channels, including live chat and ticket-based systems, there have been instances where customers faced delays or difficulties in receiving timely assistance.
Buy Comodo Positive SSL Certificates Starts at $7.49/Year
Sectigo
Sectigo CA is one of the industry’s most recognized and trusted certificate authorities. With a long history and a strong reputation, they have established themselves as a reliable provider of SSL certificates. Their brand recognition can help instill trust in website visitors. Let’s come to the broader classification:
Pros:
- You will get a comprehensive range of SSL certificates, including DV, OV, EV, and Wildcard certificates. This variety allows you to choose the level of validation and security that best fits your needs.
- Sectigo CA is known for its expertise in issuing Extended Validation (EV) certificates. EV certificates provide the highest level of validation and are recognized by the green address bar in web browsers. This can enhance the trust and credibility of your website.
- Sectigo CA is committed to providing excellent customer support. They offer various support channels, including live chat, phone support, and ticket-based systems, ensuring you can get assistance whenever needed. Their knowledgeable support team can help address any issues or concerns.
Cons:
- Sectigo CA’s SSL certificate pricing may be higher than other certificate authorities. While their certificates are backed by their industry reputation and features, it’s essential to consider the cost implications and ensure they align with your budget.
- Sectigo CA’s extensive range of SSL certificates and additional security features may overwhelm new users or those unfamiliar with SSL certificate management. Navigating their product offerings and choosing the most appropriate certificate may require extra effort and understanding.
- Although Sectigo CA is well-established, its brand recognition may not be as widespread as some other prominent certificate authorities. While this does not impact the SSL certificates’ functionality, it may cause initial trust concerns among website visitors unfamiliar with the brand.
Buy Sectigo Positive SSL Certificate Starts at $7.49/Year
Digicert
DigiCert CA is widely recognized and trusted in the industry. They have a long-standing reputation for providing reliable and secure SSL certificates. Their certificates are trusted by major web browsers and operating systems, ensuring broad compatibility and acceptance.
Pros:
- Like other CAs, DigiCert offers various SSL certificate options to cater to various needs. Whether you require Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), Extended Validation (EV), or Wildcard certificates, Digicert CA has a solution for you.
- DigiCert CA offers high-assurance SSL certificates, including Extended Validation (EV) certificates. These certificates provide the highest level of validation and display the green address bar in web browsers, enhancing your website’s trust and credibility.
- Digicert CA is known for its excellent customer support. They provide responsive and knowledgeable support through various channels, including live chat, phone support, and email. Their support team can assist you with any questions or concerns regarding SSL certificates.
Cons:
- DigiCert CA’s SSL certificates are generally priced at a higher range than other certificate authorities. While the cost reflects the quality and reputation of their certificates, it may be a consideration for businesses with budget constraints.
- Its pricing structure can be complex, with different pricing tiers based on the type of certificate, features, and additional services. Understanding and navigating their pricing model may require some additional effort.
- The Extended Validation (EV) certificate issuance process of Digicert CA can be more time-consuming than other types of certificates. This is due to the rigorous validation requirements associated with EV certificates, which involve verifying the requesting organization’s legal identity and physical existence.
GeoTrust
GeoTrust CA is a reputable and recognized name in the SSL certificate industry. They have been operating for many years and have built a strong reputation for delivering reliable and trusted SSL certificates. The GeoTrust brand is well-known and can instill confidence in website visitors.
Pros:
- GeoTrust CA offers a range of SSL certificates to cater to different needs. Their options comprise Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), Extended Validation (EV), and Wildcard certificates.
- GeoTrust CA offers SSL certificates at competitive prices, making them an attractive choice for businesses with budget considerations. Their cost-effective options allow you to secure your website without breaking the bank.
- GeoTrust CA has a streamlined issuance process, ensuring fast delivery of SSL certificates. It enables you to secure your website promptly and minimize disruptions to your online operations.
Cons:
- While GeoTrust CA offers a range of SSL certificate types, their selection may be more limited than other certificate authorities. This might pose a challenge if you require specialized certificates or additional features beyond the standard options provided.
- GeoTrust CA’s Extended Validation (EV) certificates may have a different level of brand recognition than some other leading certificate authorities. Although the certificates provide the highest validation level, the lack of immediate brand recognition may cause initial trust concerns for some website visitors.
RapidSSL
RapidSSL is known for its budget-friendly pricing, making it an attractive choice for small businesses and individuals with limited budgets. You can buy a certificate for as low as $15.00 per year. Their SSL certificates provide essential encryption and security features at a lower cost than some certificate authorities.
Pros:
- As the name suggests, RapidSSL offers short certificate issuance. You can obtain your SSL certificate quickly, securing your website promptly and minimizing potential delays in launching or securing online services.
- RapidSSL is a trusted certificate authority, and significant web browsers and operating systems recognize its SSL certificates. This ensures that your website visitors will see the padlock symbol and trust indicators, indicating a secure connection and enhancing their confidence in your site.
- RapidSSL certificates are designed to be user-friendly and easy to set up. Their straightforward installation process allows even those with limited technical expertise to secure their websites efficiently.
Cons:
- RapidSSL certificates typically offer Domain Validated (DV) validation, which involves verifying domain ownership. While DV certificates provide basic encryption, they do not provide the same level of validation as Extended Validation (EV) certificates. This may impact the perception of trust from more security-conscious website visitors.
- RapidSSL certificates may have limited features compared to higher-priced SSL certificates. For businesses or organizations with specific requirements, such as wildcard certificates or additional security features, RapidSSL’s offerings may need to be revised.
- RapidSSL may have a different level of brand recognition than some other prominent certificate authorities. This could cause initial trust concerns among website visitors unfamiliar with the RapidSSL brand.
Thawte
Coming to the last expert in SSL/TLS certificates for securing online communication, we have Thawte! This CA has a long-standing reputation as a trusted certificate authority have been operating in the industry for many years and have built a solid track record for delivering reliable SSL certificates. Their certificates are recognized and trusted by major web browsers and operating systems.
Pros:
- Thawte CA offers diverse SSL certificate options to cater to different needs. Whether you require Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), Extended Validation (EV), or Wildcard certificates, Thawte CA has a solution for you.
- You get high-assurance SSL certificates, including Extended Validation (EV) certificates. EV certificates provide the highest level of validation and display the green address bar in web browsers, enhancing the trust and credibility of your website.
Cons:
- Compared to Other Brands like RapidSSL, GeoTrust and Comodo, Thawte SSL Certs are a little costlier.
- Getting a wide range of SSL certificate products may make it challenging for users who are new to SSL certificates or certificate management. Navigating their product line and understanding the various options may require extra effort and research.