How Much Does SSL Certificates (HTTPS) Cost?

SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates have become a necessity for any website that collects user data or offers any kind of e-commerce transaction. It is an important tool that helps secure your website by encrypting the data transmitted between a user's browser and your server. This prevents hackers from intercepting and reading sensitive information such as credit card details or login credentials. In this blog, we will discuss how much SSL certificates cost and what factors influence the price.

Types of SSL Certificates

Before we dive into the cost, it's important to understand the different types of SSL certificates available. There are three main types of SSL certificates:

1. Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificates: These are the most basic SSL certificates and only require a domain validation to be issued. They are typically the cheapest option and provide basic encryption for websites.
2. Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates: These certificates require a more rigorous validation process, which includes verifying the business or organization's legal existence and physical location. They are more expensive than DV certificates and provide a higher level of security.
3. Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates: These certificates provide the highest level of security and require the most rigorous validation process. They display a green address bar in the browser and are the most expensive option.

Cost of SSL Certificates

The cost of SSL certificates can vary greatly depending on the type of certificate, the number of domains you want to secure, and the validation level required. Generally, the cost of a DV SSL certificate can range from £10 to £100 per year, while an OV SSL certificate can cost anywhere from £50 to £300 per year. An EV SSL certificate can cost anywhere from £100 to £1,000 per year.

The price of SSL certificates can also vary depending on the vendor or certificate authority (CA) you choose. Some popular vendors include Comodo, Symantec, and GeoTrust, among others. Additionally, some web hosting companies offer free SSL certificates through Let's Encrypt, which provides DV SSL certificates at no cost.

Factors That Affect SSL Certificate Cost

Apart from the type of certificate and vendor, other factors that can affect the cost of SSL certificates include:

1. Validity period: SSL certificates typically have a validity period ranging from one to three years. The longer the validity period, the higher the cost of the certificate.
2. Number of domains: If you have multiple domains that need to be secured, you may need to purchase additional SSL certificates or a multi-domain SSL certificate, which can increase the cost.
3. Wildcard SSL: If you need to secure multiple subdomains, you may need to purchase a wildcard SSL certificate, which can be more expensive than a regular SSL certificate.
4. Third-party verification: If you want your SSL certificate to be verified by a third-party company, such as HackerOne or DigiCert, you may need to pay an additional fee.

Conclusion

SSL certificates are an important tool for website security, and the cost of SSL certificates can vary depending on the type of certificate, vendor, and other factors. It's important to choose the right SSL certificate for your website based on your security needs and budget.

While it may be tempting to choose the cheapest option, it's important to remember that a higher-priced certificate can provide a higher level of security and trust for your website visitors.