10 Best Free and Low-Cost SSL Certificate Authorities

SSL certificates are essential for ensuring the security and privacy of websites. They encrypt the data transmitted between the server and the client, thereby preventing unauthorized access and data theft. While premium SSL certificates are available from well-known Certificate Authorities (CAs), there are also many free and low-cost SSL certificate options that can help secure your website without breaking the bank.

In this article, we'll discuss the best free and low-cost SSL certificate authorities that offer affordable SSL certificates. We'll look at the pros and cons of each CA, the types of SSL certificates they offer, and how to install them.

Let's Encrypt

Let's Encrypt is one of the most popular free SSL certificate authorities. It is a non-profit organization that provides SSL certificates to anyone who needs them. Let's Encrypt uses the ACME protocol to automate the process of certificate issuance and renewal. This means that you can get an SSL certificate for your website in a matter of minutes.

Pros

• Free SSL certificates

• Easy to use

• Automated certificate issuance and renewal

• Supports both single-domain and multi-domain SSL certificates

Cons

• Not suitable for large enterprises with complex SSL requirements

• Limited technical support

SSL For Free

SSL For Free is another free SSL certificate authority that provides SSL certificates to anyone who needs them. The certificates are issued using the ACME protocol, which makes the process fast and easy.

Pros

• Free SSL certificates

• Easy to use

• Supports both single-domain and multi-domain SSL certificates

Cons

• Limited technical support

• Not suitable for large enterprises with complex SSL requirements

Cloudflare

Cloudflare is a popular content delivery network (CDN) that also provides SSL certificates. Their SSL certificates are free and come with their CDN services. Cloudflare's SSL certificates use 256-bit encryption and are compatible with all modern browsers.

Pros

• Free SSL certificates

• Easy to use

• Compatible with all modern browsers

• Provides other security features like DDoS protection and web application firewall

Cons

• Not suitable for large enterprises with complex SSL requirements

• Limited technical support

ComodoSSLStore

ComodoSSLStore is a low-cost SSL certificate authority that provides SSL certificates starting at $8.88 per year. They offer a variety of SSL certificates, including single-domain, multi-domain, and wildcard certificates. ComodoSSLStore's SSL certificates use 256-bit encryption and are compatible with all modern browsers.

Pros

• Affordable SSL certificates

• Offers a variety of SSL certificates

• Compatible with all modern browsers

• Provides other security features like daily malware scanning and vulnerability assessment

Cons

• Limited technical support

• Not suitable for large enterprises with complex SSL requirements

RapidSSL

RapidSSL is a low-cost SSL certificate authority that provides SSL certificates starting at $14.95 per year. They offer a variety of SSL certificates, including single-domain, multi-domain, and wildcard certificates. RapidSSL's SSL certificates use 256-bit encryption and are compatible with all modern browsers.

Pros

• Affordable SSL certificates

• Offers a variety of SSL certificates

• Compatible with all modern browsers

• Provides other security features like daily malware scanning and vulnerability assessment

Cons

• Limited technical support

• Not suitable for large enterprises with complex SSL requirements

Sectigo

Sectigo is a well-known SSL certificate authority that provides SSL certificates starting at $8.25 per year. They offer a variety of SSL certificates, including single-domain, multi-domain, and wildcard certificates. Sectigo's SSL certificates use 256-bit encryption and are compatible with all modern browsers.

Pros

• Affordable SSL certificates

• Offers a variety of SSL certificates

• Compatible with all modern browsers

• Provides other security features like daily malware scanning and vulnerability assessment

Cons

• Limited technical support

• Not suitable for large enterprises with complex SSL requirements

GlobalSign

GlobalSign is another well-known SSL certificate authority that provides SSL certificates starting at $249 per year. They offer a variety of SSL certificates, including single-domain, multi-domain, and wildcard certificates. GlobalSign's SSL certificates use 256-bit encryption and are compatible with all modern browsers.

Pros

• Offers a range of SSL certificates

• Provides extended validation (EV) SSL certificates

• Compatible with all modern browsers

• Provides other security features like daily malware scanning and vulnerability assessment

• Provides advanced technical support for enterprise customers

Cons

• Expensive compared to other low-cost SSL certificate authorities

• How to Install SSL Certificates

Installing SSL certificates depends on the web hosting provider and the control panel used. Most web hosting providers offer a built-in SSL installation wizard that guides users through the installation process.

Here's a General Overview of the SSL Certificate Installation Process

• Purchase an SSL certificate from a CA.

• Generate a certificate signing request (CSR) from the web server or control panel.

• Submit the CSR to the CA.

• Validate the domain ownership by responding to a verification email or by adding a DNS record.

• Download the SSL certificate from the CA.

• Install the SSL certificate on the web server or control panel.

• Test the SSL installation using an SSL checker tool.

When it comes to choosing an SSL certificate authority, it's also important to consider the level of technical support offered. Some CA's offer limited technical support, while others provide advanced support for enterprise customers.

Another factor to consider is the validation level of the SSL certificate. There are three types of SSL certificates: domain-validated (DV), organization-validated (OV), and extended validation (EV). DV certificates only verify domain ownership, while OV and EV certificates require additional verification of the organization's identity.

For websites that handle sensitive information like credit card details, EV SSL certificates are recommended. These certificates display the company's name in the browser's address bar, which helps build trust with customers.

In addition to SSL certificates, some CA's also offer other security features like daily malware scanning and vulnerability assessment. These features can help identify and prevent security threats to your website.

Overall, choosing the right SSL certificate authority requires careful consideration of your website's needs and budget. By selecting the right CA and SSL certificate, you can ensure that your website is secure and your customer's data is protected.

Conclusion

Choosing the right SSL certificate authority depends on your website's needs and budget. Free and low-cost SSL certificates are a great way to secure your website without spending too much money. However, they may not be suitable for large enterprises with complex SSL requirements.

Let's Encrypt and SSL For Free are great options for those looking for free SSL certificates, while Cloudflare, ComodoSSLStore, RapidSSL, Sectigo, and GlobalSign offer affordable SSL certificates. Make sure to choose a CA that offers the SSL certificate type and level of security that you need.