SSL comparison

Compare SSL certificate plans

Every certificate offers the same 256-bit encryption. The difference is in how thoroughly your identity is verified — and how much trust that signals to your visitors.

Feature
DVBasic SSLfrom $36/yr
OVPremium SSLfrom $49/yr
Most popularWildcardWildcard SSLfrom $299/yr
SANMulti-Domainfrom $177/yr
EVEV SSLfrom $249/yr
EV UCCEV Multi-Domainfrom $299/yr
Domains covered111 + all subdomainsUp to 2501Up to 250
Subdomains—— UnlimitedSpecific SANs—Specific SANs
Domain validation
Business validation——— Full EV Full EV
Company name in cert———
256-bit encryption
Browser padlock
Issuance timeMinutesHours–daysMinutesMinutes1–5 days1–5 days
Free reissues
Best forPersonal sites, blogsBusiness websitesMulti-subdomain sitesMultiple domainsE-commerce, financeEnterprise multi-domain
Buy DV →Buy OV →Buy Wildcard →Buy SAN →Buy EV →Buy EV UCC →

All prices are starting prices. Final price shown on SSL.com at checkout.

0-bit
Same encryption, all types
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Browser compatibility
0min
Fastest (DV) issuance
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Money-back guarantee

How to choose the right SSL certificate

  1. Identify your validation need — For a personal blog or small site, DV (Domain Validation) is fast and sufficient. For businesses, OV (Organization Validation) adds your company name to the certificate. For maximum trust and the green company name in some browsers, choose EV (Extended Validation).
  2. Count your domains — If you only need to secure one domain, a single-domain certificate is most cost-effective. If you have subdomains (shop., api., mail.), a Wildcard covers all of them. If you have multiple unrelated domains, a Multi-Domain (SAN) certificate is best.
  3. Check the warranty — Certificate warranties cover end-user losses caused by mis-issuance. Higher-assurance certificates carry higher warranties — from $10,000 for basic DV to $1,750,000 for EV.
  4. Compare total cost — Consider the annual price, the number of reissues allowed, and whether browser trust is included. All plans on this page come from SSL.com — a publicly trusted CA.

Frequently asked questions about SSL plans

What is the difference between DV, OV and EV?

DV (Domain Validation) only confirms you control the domain — issued in minutes. OV (Organization Validation) also verifies your organization's legal existence — takes 1-3 days. EV (Extended Validation) applies the strictest vetting and displays your company name in some enterprise browsers.

Do I need a Wildcard if I only have one subdomain?

Not necessarily. A Wildcard covers unlimited subdomains at *.yourdomain.com. If you only have one (e.g. www.), a regular SAN certificate covering both the root and www is often cheaper.

Can I switch plans later?

Yes. SSL certificates are typically issued for 1 year. At renewal, you can switch to a different type or CA without affecting your site.

Still not sure which to pick?

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Take the 60-second SSL wizard →Browse all types