SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol that provides a secure connection between a web browser and a web server. SSL certificates are used to authenticate websites and encrypt data. They come in both paid and free versions.
In reality, both free and paid certificates of any validation type work the same way. Most of them even have approximately the same level of encryption. However, prices can vary significantly from vendor to vendor. What is the reason? Let's find out in detail what the cost of an SSL certificate actually depends on.
Certificate security: encryption
The main purpose of an SSL certificate is to secure a website and its operations. The SSL protocol makes this possible by securing the data transmission channel between the server and the client. The main factor determining an SSL Certificate's ability to provide secure and reliable data encryption is cryptographic algorithms and key length.
In order to be reliable, modern SSL certificates need to consider the requirements of browsers, specifically the SHA 256 encryption standard and a key length of 2048 bits.
There are certificates with 3072-bits and even 4096-bits key length. But so far this level of encryption is considered redundant: the transition to at least RSA 3072-bit keys is planned only in the 2030s.
It is noteworthy that the key length does not directly affect the cost of the certificate. You can install a free SSL certificate from Let's Encrypt with a 4096-bit key or buy paid certificates with standard 2048 bits.
What else does the cost of a certificate depend on besides encryption? As a rule, the price is directly proportional to the level of authentication, type of certificate, availability of additional options, and trust in the certification center. Let's analyze these parameters in detail.
Authentication level: DV, OV, EV
When purchasing a paid certificate, the domain or company owner must go through an authentication (validation) process. Depending on the type of certificate, this process can be more or less strict. The type of validation affects what information will be displayed in the certificate: what browsers and site visitors can learn about the domain owner.
A certificate with the DV (Domain Validation) basic type contains only a list of protected domains for which it will work. Validation and certificate issuance are automatic. DV-validated sites usually show only a padlock in the browser address bar.
OV (Organization Validation) certificates verify not only the domain but also information about the company, including the legal address and contact details. This provides a higher level of trust than DV certificates. The company name is displayed on the certificate and can be seen in some browsers.
EV (Extended Validation) certificates are the highest level of authentication. More in-depth verification of the company is performed, including legal status, physical address, etc. The verification requirements are more stringent and the process may take longer. A green line with the company name appears in the address bar of your browser.
Standard certificates using automatic validation are usually cheaper than extended validation certificates, which require more rigorous verification and documentation. DV can even be obtained for free (e.g. Let's Encrypt certificate). However, the key length of a DV certificate can be longer than the most expensive EV.
OV and EV certificates are available only for legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, they are validated manually, the Certificate Authority requests and verifies the documents from the customer, so their price is higher.
Certificate types: single-domain, Wildcard, and SAN
There are several types of SSL certificates:
Single-domain: the certificate works only for one domain, for example supersite.ru.
Wildcard: allows you to protect not only the main domain but also all its subdomains, i.e. with Wildcard you can add a value with an asterisk (*) before the main domain value to the name. Thus, you can issue a certificate of the *.supersite.ru type to work with supersite.ru as well as with my.supersite.ru, your.supersite.ru, our.supersite.ru and so on. The certificate works only for the level with an asterisk (*), i.e. a domain name like 1.2.3.supersite.ru will not be protected because it is 2 levels lower than *.supersite.ru.
Multi-domain (SAN): certificates for multiple domains. The SAN (Subject Alternative Name) feature allows you to add one or more domains to an existing domain. As a result, one certificate will be valid for several sites. For example, such a certificate will be valid for both supersite.ru and dreamsite.com at the same time. This way you can save time and money and show that these domain names are owned by the same company.
Thus, when choosing a certificate, focus on the needs of your business. For example, if you run several unrelated companies with different sites, it is better to buy certificates with SAN. For sites with a large number of subdomains at the same level, a Wildcard will do. If you have only one domain without subdomains and you don't plan to change it, a single domain certificate will be enough.
Additional options: compensation guarantee
Some SSL Certificates may include additional features such as guaranteed cash refunds (warranty), mobile device support, phishing protection, and other value-added services that can increase the cost of the certificate.
Let us focus more on cash refunds. Each certification center provides a warranty for its certificates. It can be obtained in case a visitor or site owner suffers losses due to the fault of the Certification Authority. For example, if the certificate encryption is cracked through the fault of the CA, or if the certificate was issued to fraudsters. Each vendor decides for itself what insurance payments it guarantees and what cases it covers. The more complex the type of verification — DV, OV, or EV — the greater the guarantee and, consequently, the higher the cost.
Trust in the Certification Authority
Paid certificates are issued by well-known and trusted Certificate Authorities that have been around for a long time and have a good reputation. Such CAs as Comodo (now Sectigo), DigiCert, GlobalSign, and others have a long history in this field and enjoy a high level of trust. Browsers and operating systems include pre-installed sets of root certificates from trusted CAs, and if the SSL certificate was issued by a trusted CA, the browser will consider it trustworthy.
The reliability of a certificate is also related to how quickly and efficiently the Certificate Authority can update or revoke the certificate in the event of a security threat or loss of trust.
Free certificates, on the other hand, often come from new or less-known CAs or projects like Let's Encrypt.
Choosing an SSL Certificate
As you have noticed, the cost of an SSL certificate does not depend on the level of its encryption. However, it is influenced by the type of validation, the availability of additional options, the amount of insurance, the reputation of the Certificate Authority, and many other less significant factors.
When choosing a certificate, it's worth focusing on the needs of your business specifically.
DV certificates, including free ones, are suitable for most websites. However, if you're a large and well-known brand or accept payments directly on your site, OV and EV certificates are suitable to help protect your site from phishing. If your site has many subdomains, you should choose the Wildcard option, and if your business has several different sites, consider a multi-domain certificate with a SAN option.
Also, if it is important for you that browsers trust SSL certificates, and in case of losses caused by the certificate you can count on monetary compensation, you should choose a Certificate Authority with a long history and a high level of trust.
You may also want to consider the validity period: paid certificates usually have a longer validity period of 1 year, while free certificates are issued for a short period of a few months. This means that free certificates will need to be renewed more often. Certificates with a longer validity period usually cost more but can be renewed less frequently.
The choice between a paid and free SSL certificate depends on your website's needs and budget. If you're looking for a fast and free solution to provide basic security for your site, free certificates such as Let's Encrypt may be an excellent choice. However, if you need additional features and a high level of trust, a paid certificate may be a better option.
Check out the offer of SSL certificates from reliable and well-known Certificate Authorities on our website to choose the right one for you.
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