10+ Best SSL Certificate Providers for 2024
Security breaches and data stealing is a major issue when it comes to online business. So, how can you increase the protection of your website and visitors? Well, you can enable HTTPS which needs an SSL certificate. If you’re searching for the best SSL certificate providers but at cheap prices then you’re at the right place.
SSL certificates are becoming the norm in the fight against cyber-attacks targeted at web users a feat that has been sparked by the number of cyber-attacks growing at a very alarming rate.
In essence, SSL certificates are a chunk of cryptographic data files installed on the webserver with the aim of delivering secure communication between a user in a browser and a website or web application.
So, there is no denying that SSL certificates are more of a necessity rather than a choice these days. The real question though is which one is an affordable and best SSL certificate provider?
Well, in this article I will review some of the top SSL certificate providers in a bit to help you pick a provider that fits your needs.
What is an SSL Certificate?
SSL also known as “Secure Socket Layer” issued by authorities is a digital certificate which encrypts the data traveling from your hosting server to web browser or vice versa. It secures your visitor’s personal information such as name, address, credit card numbers, bank accounts, username, and passwords from hackers.
There are many types of SSL certificates that can be used in different conditions like DV (domain validation), OV (organization validation), and EV (extended validation – shows green bar). You can identify if a website is using SSL certificate by checking the browser’s address bar if there is https://, padlock, or green bar exists.
DV certificates are the best option for general websites and bloggers. OV and EV certificate are suitable for medium to high level business or eCommerce websites.
How Does SSL Certificate Work?
In simple words without going technical procedure, when you enter private information, for example, credit card credentials, an SSL certificate encrypts it with symbols, numbers, and alphabets which no one else can decrypt or steel information thus provide robust security and protection against hackers.
For further details check this video:
Why Must You Use/Install SSL?
So, is it essential for you to install SSL on your website? If you’re a blogger or general site owner who share blogging stuff, tips and tricks, life hacks, or other related content, then you don’t need it. It is Google that force site owners to implement HTTPS protocol to get more search rankings.
Google already announced that it passes a little ranking signal to sites having SSL installed not significant but minor. We all love to drive more organic traffic toward our website, am I right? And that’s the major every one implementing HTTPS protocol on their websites no matter if they need it or not.
Basically, it’s essential for websites (eCommerce, payment processors, online shopping stores, etc.) that collect users personal information to encrypt the data for robust security and protection. As a blogger, if you collect emails or offer membership services then must install it.
Type of SSL Certificates
There are a different kind of SSL certificates available for individual or businesses which they can buy and install on their websites. And prices also vary from certificate to certificate, DV level certificate cost less money than OV or EV.
DV (Domain Validation): The very first type and commonly used, easy to buy and typically issued within few minutes as it only requires domain level verification. The certificate authority (CA) just confirm the email address of domain name owner. It is best for bloggers, general sites, and small business websites that usually don’t collect personal information.
OV (Organization Validation): As the name suggests it requires organization validation by CA before issuing. Authority confirms the company existence, address, and owner details in return for extra protection layer than DV. It costs more money than DV and suitable for organizations ranging from medium to high level.
EV (Extended Validation): This type of certificate usually used by big eCommerce websites, payment processors, businesses, and banks to build more trust and credibility in front of customers. It is the most expensive, protected and highly trusted SSL certificate that also shows a green bar in the browser’s URL address bar along with the name of the company.
Before issuing the Extended Validation certificate, CA verifies the documents, address, and information that’s why it takes more time than DV for issuing. However, individuals also can buy and install it if they can afford or need from any best SSL certificate providers mentioned below.
Things to Consider Before Choosing the Best SSL Certificate Service Provider
SSL Provider Reputation: First of all, check if it is reputed, has an excellent user rating, and quality support. If so, go with it right away. Some SSL providers just follow the money instead of delivering value to customers.
Prices and Renewals: You might get the lowest price as a first time customer which is great but here keep in mind renewal prices. Cheap prices for new clients is a marketing trick, and you might be charged higher fees at the time of renewal. Also, check for an auto-renewal feature to protect your certificate from expiring.
Customer Support: A good SSL provider must offer anytime customer support or whenever you need them 24/7 via live chat, email, or ticket. I personally recommend call and live chat as you can contact them instantly.
HandShack Performance: Before the HTTP/2 protocol, websites having SSL installed had an issue of taking too much time to load. When HTTP/2 was introduced, it greatly helped to decrease the loading time. You should choose a company that offers a fast SSL handshake to improve website performance.
Are they offering other products: Never go with a company that provides multiple services but lacks technical support. Why? Because most of the SSL providers want to make more money instead of quality services. It is best to choose a company that solely has the expertise and focus on SSL services.
Money-Back Guarantee: Let’s say you bought a certificate for one year but feel unsatisfied with the quality or anything else. Now, what would you do? All the best SSL certificate providers offer a money-back guarantee to their clients ranging from 7 days to 30 days or more.
Best SSL Certificate Providers to Protect Your Website and Users Information
1. NameCheap
NameCheap is one of the most famous domain name registrars as well as offer SSL certificates at affordable prices.
There is a huge list of SSL certificates to buy from including basic to EV SSL ranging from $9/year to $88.88/year price tag with 256-bit encryption.
EV multi-domain SSL costs you more as it protects multiple domains.
All of their certificates powered by Comodo and a basic certificate (PositiveSSL) takes not more than 15 minutes to issue.
| Name | Price |
| Positive SSL | $9/year |
| Essential SSL | $29/year |
| Multi Domain | $29.88/year |
| Comodo EV SSL | $8.88/year |
| Instant SSL | $39/year |
2. CheapSSLShop
This has got to be the number two on this list, and it’s not by a fluke! The CheapSSLShop has got a good buffet of products and deals to pick from when it comes to the world of SSL certificates.
By a buffet, we are talking about a wide array of SSL certificates from top SSL providers like Comodo, Rapid SSL, Geotrust, Thawte, and GlobalSign.
| Name | Price |
| Comodo Positive SSL | $4.95/year |
| Comodo Positive SSL Wildcard | $51.33/year |
| Comodo Positive SSL Multi Domain with 3 SAN | $30/year |
| Comodo EV SSL | $79/year |
| Comodo Exchange Server SSL (UCC) with 3 SAN | $65/year |
3. Comodo SSL Store
If you are looking to buy anything from standard SSL Certificates, Wildcard SSL, SAN/UC SSL, EV SSL certificates then the Comodo SSL Store website has it all.
This store is actually an official partner of Comodo meaning that all the certificates you buy from this best SSL certificates provider are exactly similar to those from Comodo.
Here you can get a cheap Comodo Positive SSL Certificate for as low as $7.45 per year.
| Name | Price |
| Comodo Positive SSL | $7.45/yr. |
| Comodo PositiveSSL Wildcard | $74.17/yr. |
| Comodo Positive SSL Multi Domain with 2 SAN | $19.99/yr. |
| Comodo EV SSL | $157.49/yr. |
4. SSL2BUY
This is yet another global SSL provider known for delivering all the best SSL certificates at low prices tailored for individuals and businesses of any sizes.
SSL2BUY is an authorized SSL reseller featuring some of the best certificate authorities such as Comodo, AlphaSSL, RapidSSL, GeoTrust, Thawte, GlobalSign, and Symantec.
Let’s check price range for various types of SSL certificates offered by SSL2BUY as follows:
| Name | Price/yr. |
| Comodo Positive SSL | $8.67 |
| AlphaSSL Wildcard SSL | $38.00 |
| Comodo Multi Domain SSL with 4 SAN | $45.00 |
| Comodo EV SSL | $119.00 |
| Comodo Exchange Server UCC SSL with 4 SAN | $45.00 |
5. Trustico
Trustico is an awesome one-stop shop where you can buy cheap SSL certificates for any type of website.
Again, Trustico is global SSL certificate provider of top SSL authorities in the industry namely Comodo, AlphaSSL, RapidSSL, GeoTrust, Thawte, GlobalSign, QuickSSL among others. Here are the price ranges quoted on this website:
| Name | Price |
| Comodo Positive SSL | $18.45/year |
| Comodo Positive SSL Wildcard | $147.08/year |
| Comodo Positive SSL Multi-Domain with 2 SAN | $55.50/year |
| GeoTrust EV SSL | $189.05/year |
6. Symantec
Symantec needs no introduction when it comes to delivering world-class security products to thousands of companies around the globe.
As a matter of fact, Symantec is known for virtually every kind of web security product ranging from standard SSL certificates to code signing certificates.
With that said, it is a place you would want to check out if you are looking for the best SSL certificate service. A secure site certificate on the Symantec website goes for $331.67 per year on 3 years validity purchase.
| Name | Price |
| Symantec Secure Site | $331.67/year |
| Symantec Secure Site EV | $895.00/year |
7. ClickSSL
ClickSSL is another super cool platform where you can buy SSL certificates from top SSL companies around the globe.
In ClickSSL you will get the chance of picking from top brands like Symantec, Comodo, Thawte, RapidSSL, GeoTrust among others.
If you are looking for a cheap SSL certificate then here is the price breakdown for you:
| Name | Price |
| RapidSSL Certificate | $11.66/yr. |
| Comodo Positive SSL Wildcard | $90.00/yr. |
| Comodo Positive SSL Multi Domain with 3 SAN | $37.50/yr. |
| Comodo EV SSL | $127.50/yr. |
| Comodo UCC SSL with 3 SAN | $90.00/yr. |
8. GeoTrust SSL
GeoTrust SSL is one of the best places to get affordable SSL to start protecting your website taking advantage of quick issuance and automated authentication algorithms.
A QuickSSL Premium on this site will cost you $124 plus you get to try it before you can buy it.
| Name | Price |
| GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium | $124/yr. |
| GeoTrust True BusinessID Wildcard SSL | $499.67/yr. |
| GeoTrust Multi Domain SSL with 4 SAN | $299/yr. |
| GeoTrust EV SSL | $261.50/yr. |
9. Thawte
You can also buy the Thawte SSL certificate directly from the source, that is from the thwate.com. The beauty is that here you will have the chance of to compare and pick lots of web certificates depending on the nature of the business you are in and other preferences. SSL123 Certificates will cost you $123 per year.
| Name | Price |
| Thawte SSL123 | $123/yr. |
| Thawte Wildcard SSL | $524.50/yr. |
| Thawte EV SSL | $299/yr. |
| Thawte Code Signing Certificate | $259.50/yr. |
10. RapidSSL
This is a platform owned by GeoTrust, and just like the GeoTrust platform, you can get a cheap and reliable SSL certificate that will keep your transaction secure through 256-bit encryption.
A RapidSSL certificate fits exactly into the billing and you can buy the certificate directly from the RapidSSL site at the cost of $49.67 per year on 3 years term.
| Name | Price |
| RapidSSL Certificate | $49.67/yr. |
| RapidSSL Wildcard SSL | $216.33/yr. |
Bonus One:- Network Solutions
Network solutions might be the last on this list but it could as well have been the first owing to the reputation that this site is accumulating in the world wide web.
The company is actually known for delivering web solutions to clients around the globe with top-grade services ranging from web design, e-commerce development, web hosting, domain names, digital marketing, email services, and web security services.
As far as web security is concerned, NetworkSolutions offers some very affordable SSL certificates designed for small to large enterprises around.
If you are an individual or a small business owner, then you might want to check out the DV SSL certificates at Network Solution. The Xpress domain validation certificate goes for $54.99/year with a 3-year term.
| Network Solution SSL | Price |
| nsProtect™ Secure Xpress | $54.99/year |
| NsProtect™ Secure Wildcard | $512.33/year |
| nsProtect™ Secure Extended Validation | $549.00/year (for 1 year term) |
Conclusion
There you have it! The top places to find the best cheapest SSL certificates at the moment. It’s now time to pick the right SSL provider that works for you.
Remember it is always important to secure your website regardless of the size lest you want your site making losses or stuck in losses just because of an attack.
Luckily, there are a lot of options from the pool of best SSL certificate providers in the market to pick from. Just make your choice and start securing your business today!
