SSL certificates: what’s the difference between paid and free, and which should you choose?

SSL certificate is a must for any modern website. It ensures secure data transfer between the server and the user. There are several variants of certificates, including free (most often Let's Encrypt and ZeroSSL) and paid ones. Let's find out how they differ and when you should choose a paid certificate.

What is a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt or ZeroSSL?

Let's Encrypt is a free and automated service that provides SSL certificates for websites. It’s ideal for most simple projects, whether it’s a blog or a small online store.

ZeroSSL is a similar tool that also offers free certificates but comes with some additional features.

Advantages of Free Certificates:

1. No cost: The main advantage. Let’s Encrypt and ZeroSSL provide SSL certificates completely free of charge, which is perfect for most users who do not require an additional level of trust.
2. Support in modern browsers: Certificates from Let’s Encrypt and ZeroSSL are accepted by all current browsers, so users won’t see any security warnings when visiting your site.
3. Wildcard certificates: Both Let’s Encrypt and ZeroSSL support wildcard certificates, allowing you to protect all subdomains of a given domain.

Drawbacks:

1. Limited support: If you encounter problems with your certificate, you’ll need to resolve them yourself, as free certificates do not come with support.
2. Short-term validity: Let’s Encrypt and ZeroSSL certificates are only valid for 90 days. Although there are ways to set up automatic renewal, in most cases this requires command-line skills and a basic understanding of how a web server works.
3. Level of trust and reliability: Unlike paid certificates, Let’s Encrypt and ZeroSSL do not offer Extended Validation (EV), which may limit the level of trust some users and search engines have in your site. 

Differences between ZeroSSL and Let’s Encrypt:

• ZeroSSL offers a more user-friendly interface and paid certificate options with additional features (for example, extending validity up to one year).
• Let's Encrypt is completely free but requires configuring automated renewals.

What are paid SSL certificates?

Paid SSL certificates are offered by many providers, such as DigiCert, GlobalSign, Comodo, and others. They include additional benefits and features that may be valuable for more complex projects handling sensitive personal data.

Advantages of paid certificates:

1. Long-term certificates: Paid certificates typically last from 1 to 3 years. This is convenient if you don’t want to renew your certificate frequently and prefer a longer-term solution.
2. Extended Validation (EV SSL): Paid certificates often include EV, which involves a more thorough vetting of the purchasing company. This increases the level of trust users have in your site.
3. Technical support and warranties: Paid certificates usually come with support and insurance against any issues related to the certificate’s installation and operation. In cases where it’s proven that your clients’ data was stolen due to a certificate issue, you would be compensated under the insurance policy. 
4. Improved search indexing: Many search engines give preference to secure websites in search results. Paid certificates can help boost SEO, as they signal greater reliability for your site.

When should you choose a paid SSL certificate?

1. If your site handles sensitive information or payments: Paid certificates with EV are especially valuable for sites that process personal data or handle financial transactions. They help increase user trust.
2. For multi-site projects: Paid certificates can protect multiple sites or subdomains, making them ideal for corporate or large commercial websites.
3. If you need additional support: With paid certificates, you can get help from support services—important for businesses that don’t want to handle technical problems on their own.
4. For improving SEO: Paid certificates can boost your rankings in search engines.
5. For long-term use: Paid certificates have a longer validity period and don’t require frequent renewal, which is convenient for large sites and projects.

Conclusion

Free certificates from Let’s Encrypt or ZeroSSL are an excellent solution for most small websites and blogs. They provide basic security and are suitable for sites that don’t need extended validation or extra features.

If your site requires additional features - for example, protection of multiple domains or extended support - a paid certificate would be a better choice. In this case, you can explore the available paid options (to purchase a certificate from us, follow the link).