How Much Should You Pay for an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate is a pioneer in website security. It secures online communication and assures about safe online presence. The data that travels between both sides is encrypted with standard encryption. Before you buy an SSL certificate, pricing plays an important role. This article helps you understand the key factors that impact SSL certificate costs.

How Much Does an SSL Certificate Cost? 

As cybercrime grows more sophisticated, the importance of SSL certificates has surged. With advancements in computational power, the CA/Browser Forum now mandates stronger encryption standards to safeguard data. If you’re new to SSL certificates and unsure about costs, this guide breaks down pricing to help you choose the best option for your needs.

Here, is the pricing overview of SSL Certificate

SSL certificate costs vary based on the validation level, features, and the Certificate Authority (CA) you choose. Here’s a breakdown of average starting prices:

A single Domain SSL and DV SSL certificates start at just $5.99 per year, making them very affordable.

However, Wildcard SSL certificates begin at  $26.00  per year, while Multi-Domain SSL certificates start at $14.99 per year.

For those who are seeking higher validation, OV SSL certificates begin from $29.00 per year, and EV SSL certificates start at $49.00 per year.

Why Choose a Paid SSL Certificate?

While free SSL options exist (e.g., Let’s Encrypt), paid certificates from trusted CAs like Comodo, DigiCert, GlobalSign, Sectigo, AlphaSSL, or PrimeSSL offer added benefits:

1. Stronger warranties (financial protection against breaches).
2. 24/7 customer support.
3. Compatibility assurance across browsers and devices.
4. Multi-year discounts for long-term savings.

What are the SSL Certificate Costs based on the types?

An SSL certificate type includes a single-domain SSL, wildcard SSL, and multi-domain SSL, which will help you select the desired SSL certificate for your website.

1. Single Domain SSL Certificate

A Single Domain SSL certificate starts at $5.99/yr. It includes all SSL validation types: Domain, Organization, and Extended. A single domain can work with www and non-www domains. However, a certificate purchased for www.domain.com will not work with blog.domain.com.  

• Wildcard SSL Certificate

A wildcard SSL is a cost-saving certificate as it covers a primary domain and its subdomains. The cost of a wildcard SSL starts at just $26.00/yr. which can please any site owner’s pocket. Wildcard SSL does not come with Extended Validation as it comes with domain and organization validation. A Wildcard certificate is suitable for those enterprises that have subdomains associated with a main domain.

• Multi Domain SSL Certificate

Multi Domain SSL certificates are ideal for large corporations or organizations where multiple domains and subdomains need to be secured. However, Multi Domain SSL certificates are available at low prices as you find a single-domain SSL and wildcard SSL. You can purchase Multi-Domain SSL certificates for just $14.99/yr.

Cost of SSL Certificate by SSL Validation: 

SSL certificate costs can be measured by SSL validation too, where you can choose either domain validation, organization validation, or extended validation as per the site’s requirements and budget. All SSL certificates fall into these three validation types discussed below.

Domain Validation Certificate

Domain Validation (DV) certificate follows a quick issuance process in which the certificate authority only checks domain ownership. It is an easy-to-obtain certificate available at a cheap price. Such a certificate costs between $5.99 and $320 per year. The cost depends on the certificate authority you decide to go with.

Organization Validation Certificate

Such validation certificate verifies domain ownership and business documents. The validation process takes 3-4 days for certificate issuance. Organization validation (OV) certificates start at $29.00/yr. that is also low priced for the security they add to a website.

Extended Validation Certificate

An Extended Validation (EV) certificate follows a thorough validation process that a certificate authority undertakes on an organization. An EV certificate is reliable. It is ideal for banks, insurers, payment processors, and e-commerce sites. The price of such a certificate starts at $49.00/yr.; yet it comes with many useful features and benefits that make your purchase worthwhile. The EV certificate takes 5-6 days in issuance.

Conclusion

Choose an SSL certificate that fits your website’s security needs and budget. A trustworthy SSL certificate for your site will secure sensitive data. It will also boost users’ trust in your site. We hope this information will help you to buy your desired website security certificate at an affordable price.