SSLs sells SSL certificates from well-known certificate authorities at different validation levels and in different types. An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between a visitor’s browser and your server and enables HTTPS, which protects logins and forms and builds visitor trust.
Key features
- Validation levels: Domain (DV), organization (OV) and extended (EV) validation.
- Certificate types: Single domain, wildcard for all subdomains, or multi-domain.
- Recognized authorities: Trusted by browsers.
- HTTPS encryption: Protects logins, forms and payments.
Pricing
Prices vary by validation level, certificate type and term. Single-domain DV certificates are the cheapest, while wildcard and EV cost more. Many hosts include a free DV certificate that is enough for most personal sites.
Prices can change, so check SSLs’s official pricing page before you subscribe.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide choice of levels and types | A free certificate from your host is enough for many sites |
| Wildcard and multi-domain options for larger projects | Installation takes technical steps on the server |
| OV and EV confirm organizational identity | OV and EV need documents and time to validate |
Use cases
- Securing several subdomains: Use one wildcard certificate for your blog, store and dashboard.
- Proving an organization’s identity: An OV or EV certificate for a site that collects sensitive data.
- Learning manual SSL installation: Practice generating a CSR and installing a certificate on a VPS.
Who it’s best for
Site owners who need more than a free certificate, such as wildcard, multi-domain or organization validation.
Skip it if your host provides a free certificate that covers your personal site or blog.
How to get started
Check what your host already provides, then pick the type and validation level by number of domains and data sensitivity.
FAQ
What is the difference between DV, OV and EV? DV verifies domain ownership only, OV verifies the organization exists, and EV is a more thorough organization check.
Do I need a paid certificate? Not always. A free certificate from your host is enough for many sites.
When do I need a wildcard? When you want one certificate to cover all subdomains of a domain.
Disclosure: al-khwarizmi may earn a commission if you sign up for SSLs through links in this article. This does not change the price you pay, and it does not influence which tools we cover.
