Guide to SSL Certificate Types
Published on June 26, 2026
The certificate choice is usually not the problem. The problem is matching it to the site, the team, and the amount of operational risk you want to carry. This guide to SSL certificate types will keep that part under control, so you do not end up buying extra validation you do not need or, worse, deploying a certificate that does not cover the hostname your application actually uses.
SSL is still the common name people use, even though modern certificates secure traffic with TLS. Browsers padlock the connection, users see HTTPS, and your server proves identity through a signed certificate. The service is calm again when this is configured correctly. If it is not, you get browser warnings, failed API calls, broken checkout pages, and a support queue that suddenly becomes very lively.