The Best SSL Certificate Providers to Secure Your Site

Last updated: November 12, 2024 Reading time: 8 minutes
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Since every Certificate Authority and their respective SSL certificates have incomparable characteristics, selecting a single CA as the best is difficult. Therefore, we have listed the top 10 best SSL certificate providers in 2024, offering various kinds of certificates to secure your websites.

SSL certificates are an essential and elemental part of the modern website required for running your business. However, making your customers secure and hospitable is far more crucial so they can freely share their sensitive data.

Thus, consumers must search for and choose a company with strong footholds in the e-commerce industry. The company should have a long-established reputation and be one of the best SSL certificate providers to implement quality services.

What is an SSL certificate?

An SSL certificate creates a secure environment for your online business. It helps to safeguard your customers’ personal information. Websites like payment systems, financial and banking sectors, shopping websites, etc., all require an SSL certificate. Technically, these certificates are small data files produced to protect data transfer, transactions, logins, etc. SSL certificate works by digitally binding a cryptographic key to an organization’s details.

Once installed, an SSL certificate automatically activates the HTTPS protocol. Thus, it ascertains secure connections between a web server and a browser and provides 128-bit to 256-bit military-grade encryption.

10 Best SSL certificate services in 2024 – Detailed list

If you are wondering which are the top SSL certificate providers that you can consider for encrypting your website, then you should read the service providers discussed below:

1. Symantec

Symantec is the most renowned and trusted brand name among SSL certificate providers. The provider projects the Norton Secured Seal through all of their certificates on each site it protects. No other alternatives to Symantec have been released yet. Symantec was founded in 1991, and in 2010, it acquired VeriSign, the worldwide leader in SSL. This combination provides ironclad security and military-grade encryption.

Some of the Symantec SSL certificates include:

  • Symantec Secure Site – $274.00/yr. (Save up to $173.00)
  • Symantec Secure Site with EV – $699.00/yr. (Save up to $392.00)
  • Symantec Secure Site Wildcard – $1,582.67/yr. (Save up to $347.00)
  • Symantec Safe Site – $221.67/yr. (Save up to $30.00)
  • SSL Installation Service – $24.99/yr. (Save up to $24.01)

Symantec SSL certificates also give you instant and free access to some additional Premium features. Thus, it offers the complete site security solution packages the world has ever known. Every Symantec solution offers a NetSecure Protection Plan with the largest warranty in the industry.

This SSL provider also provides vulnerability assessment and a Seal-in-Search feature. Furthermore, it offers a free SAN for the base domain, thus letting you secure non-www and www domains. Symantec also provides a daily website malware scanning feature along with Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) that enhances performance.

2. GeoTrust

GeoTrust is among the best SSL certificate providers and the world’s second-largest digital certificate provider. It has served over 100,000 customers globally. The basic encryption certificate costs $149 and ranges up to $745 for an EV (Extended Validation) SSL certificate. In addition, it offers 24/7 customer support and a warranty and refund policy for its clients.

This SSL provider offers a range of world-class and economical SSL certificates. GeoTrust also offers 256-bit encryption for customers’ privacy and security. The QuickSSL Premium Wildcard certificate accompanies EV and hence can be used to encrypt single or multiple subdomains.

Nonetheless, the encryption level can be as high as 2048, ensuring complete privacy and confidentiality. Moreover, due to the automatic authentication and issuance process, it takes only a few minutes to get your QuickSSL Premium SSL certificate.

3. Comodo

Comodo has established itself as a Certificate Authority that provides SSL certificates for different users. It was founded in 1998 and has headquarters in Jersey, USA. The service provider has an enormous portfolio of SSL certificates, from corporate websites to domestic users, etc. It has helped a huge number of organizations and companies secure their information via validation and authentication.

Comodo offers advanced, state-of-the-art Endpoint Protection with Comodo Device Manager, which can uncover malware hiding on your network.

The SSL certificate service provider has discounted prices. The price range, starting from $64.95 and reaching up to $359 for EV SSL certificates, fits the budget of all users.

In an online business, a Comodo SSL Certificate is the most reliable way to secure customer transactions. Its InstantSSL Premium Certificates are a source of professional elucidation for securing e-commerce websites.

Furthermore, they provide attractive visual assurance that helps to build customer trust. Every Comodo InstantSSL Premium order has a Trust Logo site seal that allows visitors to validate your business credentials quickly. This improves the visitor’s conversion rate, which leads to an increase in the average purchase price.

Comodo is undoubtedly one of the top picks for SSL certificates due to its 99.99% compatibility.

4. DigiCert

DigiCert is the top choice of brands like Amazon, NASA, Facebook, Yahoo, etc. Therefore, it is also famous for its durable SSL certificates. DigiCert offers up to 2048-bit SSL certificates at affordable prices.

A basic DigiCert SSL certificate can be availed for $156 per year. Whereas, if you want an EV SSL Certificate, you must pay approximately $500 annually. But the amount you pay is worth the quality of services you get. The amount is put justice to the trust seal provided by these certificates, which is recognized by all as the padlock symbol and the green address bar.

5. Thawte

Thawte also has expertise in providing high-quality SSL certificates with reliable features. The SSL certificate provider offers certificates at a low cost. Ranging from $149 per year, it offers 256-bit military-grade encryption and goes as high as $600 per year for its EV SSL Certificates. However, if you make a purchase of two years for Thawte, then you will receive a discount on the total bill (i.e., approximately $305 less).

6. GoDaddy

GoDaddy is renowned as the largest domain registration company. However, it is also considered the best SSL certificate provider as it offers SSL certificates. The Secure Socket Layer certificates range from $69.99 for the Standard package to about $89.99 for the Deluxe Package.

GoDaddy provides remarkable customer support. It also offers a money-back guarantee and warranty for any loss that may occur during the validity period, making GoDaddy one of the top choices for SSL providers.

7. Network Solutions

Network Solutions offers SSL certificates at good bargains. If you wish to buy an SSL certificate for a long period, it would be really affordable. For instance, an SSL certificate for a three-year term can be purchased for just $59.99 per year. Therefore, the pricing is economical and cheaper than other service providers.

The certificates provided by Network Solutions offer 256-bit rate encryption and 99% browser recognition. Furthermore, Network Solutions provides round-the-clock support, including online chat. It also offers rapid issuance times and free reissues. Network Solutions provides a trust seal easily recognizable by web users as this SSL provider is a renowned and trusted brand.

8. RapidSSL

RapidSSL is a trusted CA—Certificate Authority—famous worldwide. If we rank according to the popularity of the certificate provider, the service will probably top the chart. This is because, in the Internet security market, RapidSSL is considered to be the most trusted SSL certificate provider.

The SSL certificates offered by RapidSSL comprise a user-friendly web console. This web console simplifies SSL/TLS certificate management and gives you wide visibility of all of the certificate details. RapidSSL Certificates secure your customers’ transactions with 256-bit data encryption and site authentication. This best SSL provider offers SSL certificates for as low as $12.99 for 3 years.

The RapidSSL Wildcard Certificates help you secure unlimited subdomains. They also secure your customers’ sensitive information with 256-bit encryption and more than 99% browser support. Furthermore, the certificates offer automated domain control validation, which swiftly performs site authentication. These certificates come with a 30-day refund policy and can be purchased at a price of $149 per year.

9. ClickSSL

ClickSSL is an SSL certificate provider that allows users to bargain for the prices. It also compares the prices which makes it even more exciting. You simply need to go to ClickSSL’s deals page. The page will let you find many exciting deals on Wildcard certificates. The various Wildcard SSL certificates include:

  • Comodo Positive SSL Wildcard – 1 year – $90.00
  • RapidSSL Wildcard – 1 year – $101.70
  • Comodo Positive Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL – 1 year – $150.00
  • Thawte Wildcard SSL – 1 year – $261.75
  • GeoTrust True BusinessID Wildcard – 1 year – $323.10

ClickSSL promises to deliver advanced security and credulity via SSL/TLS certificates. Their comprehensive SSL certificate solution encourages web users to purchase products or other services through your website. It also offers a secure business environment for its customers. The Secure Socket Layer certificate provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support.

10. GlobalSign

GlobalSign is a leading cloud and on-premise service provider for e-commerce solutions and enterprise businesses. It offers SSL certificates at inexpensive prices for all business levels. GlobalSign also offers round-the-clock customer support with a live chat option.

This well-reputed identity service company was founded in 1996 and has headquarters in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA. GlobalSign delivers cloud-based PKI solutions to companies that desire to execute secure connections and safe e-commerce. It also uses its managed IAM experience to generate high-scale and high-volume identity management solutions for all devices, users, and things related to the Internet of Everything.

GlobalSign offers a wide range of SSL certificates. These certificates are protected with the strongest 2048-bit encryption. It also offers various value-added features to ensure complete security. The various SSL certificates include OrganizationSSL, DomainSSL, ExtendedSSL, and Multi-Domain & Wildcard SSL certificates.

With Wildcard and SANs – Subject Alternative Names, you can secure multiple domains and subdomains. This can be achieved with a single SSL certificate on the same server with a single IP address.

How to choose the best SSL certificate provider

Every company has a huge responsibility to protect its customer’s data. Therefore, using SSL certificates for all websites, rather than just e-commerce websites, is gaining popularity. However, several factors should be considered when choosing an SSL provider. Some key aspects of choosing the best SSL certificate providers are listed below:

  • High Level of Security
  • Browser Capability
  • Warranty Amount
  • Trust Site Seal
  • Encryption Certificate Validation Type
  • Refund Policy
  • Trial Period
  • Issuance Time

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About the Author

Rebecca James is an IT consultant with forward thinking approach toward developing IT infrastructures of SMEs. She writes to engage with individuals and raise awareness of digital security, privacy, and better IT infrastructure.

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