The average annual cost of SSL certificates during 2025 falls between USD $10 and USD $1,000. Basic domain validation certificates have an annual price range between $10-$30 USD. Organization validation certificates cost $100-$200 per year. Extended validation certificates which provide maximum security protection have annual costs ranging from $200 to $1,000. Let’s Encrypt provides free SSL certificates to users.
The SSL certificate market shows fast growth because it will reach USD 234.5 million in 2025 and USD 518.4 million by 2032 with a 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Web security importance and SSL certificates’ protective role in online communications drive this market expansion.
What are the current price ranges for Domain Validated certificates?
- DV SSL certificates typically cost between $0 and $25 per year.
- Many hosting companies, such as Bluehost or Hostinger, include basic DV SSL certificates for free with their hosting packages.
- Paid DV certificates from specialist providers generally fall into the $8–$36 range per year, while some premium brands may price up to $60 annually for added features and warranties.
The Average Cost Comparison of DV SSL Certificates from Top SSL Brands
| Product Features | Sectigo PositiveSSL Certificate | RapidSSL Certificate | Comodo EssentialSSL | Basic SSL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate Authority |  Sectigo  |
 RapidSSL |
 Comodo |
 SSL.com |
| Single Domain | Single Domain | Single Domain | Single Domain | |
| $8.95/yrView Pricing | $18.95/yr.View Pricing | $21.95/yrView Pricing | $36.75/yearView Pricing | |
| Both www + non-www | Both www + non-www | Both www + non-www | Both www + non-www | |
 |
|
|
 |
|
| Domain | Domain | Domain | Domain | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Minutes | Minutes | Minutes | 5 Minutes | |
| up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | |
| 2048 bits | 2048 bits | 2048 bits | 2048 bits | |
| Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $50,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | |
| 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30-Day | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | |
How much should businesses expect to pay for Organization Validated certificates?
- The basic single-domain OV certificate requires annual payment between $30 to $100 for proper vetting procedures.
- The prices for OV certificates from top brands exceed standard rates because DigiCert charges ~ $350 per year for OV Secure Site TLS while GlobalSign demands $349 annually and Thawte starts at ~$90 per year.
- The annual cost of Wildcard SSL or multi-domain OV SSL certificates exceeds $400 based on the selected features and number of domains.
The Average Cost Comparison of OV SSL Certificates from Top SSL Brands
| Product Features | Sectigo InstantSSL Certificate | High Assurance SSL | Comodo InstantSSL Pro | Thawte SSL Web Server |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate Authority | Sectigo |
SSL.com |
Comodo |
 Thawte |
| Single Domain | Single Domain | Single Domain | Single Domain | |
| $30.80/yrView Pricing | $48.40/yearView Pricing | $39.19/yrView Pricing | $118.51/yr.View Pricing | |
| Both www + non-www | Both www + non-www | Both www + non-www | Both www + non-www | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Organization | Organization | Organization | Organizaion | |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1-3 Days | 5 Minutes | 1-3 Days | Instant | |
| up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | |
| 2048 bits | 2048 bits | 2048 bits | 2048 bits | |
| High | High | High | High | |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $250,000 | $1,250,000 | $100,000 | $1,250,000 | |
| 30 days | 30-Day | 30 days | 30 days | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | |
What do Extended Validation certificates cost in today’s market?
- The most trusted certificates with legal verification process start at $70 to $180 per year for basic plans.
- Premium brands charge high prices for EV SSL certificates with DigiCert Secure Site Pro EV SSL reaching ~$1,550 per year and GlobalSign EV SSL priced at $599 annually.
- The EV SSL certificates from Comodo/Sectigo and other brands cost between ~$70 and ~$90 per year for single-domain certificates but multi-domain SSL certificates start at ~$50 or more.
The Average Cost Comparison of EV SSL Certificates from Top SSL Brands
| Product Features | Sectigo PositiveSSL EV | Enterprise EV SSL | GeoTrust True BusinessID with EV | DigiCert Secure Site EV SSL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate Authority | Sectigo |
SSL.com |
 GeoTrust |
 DigiCert |
| Single Domain | Single Domain | Single Domain | Single Domain | |
| $79.84/yrView Pricing | $239.50/yearView Pricing | $111.98/yr.View Pricing | $910.72/yr.View Pricing | |
| Both www + non-www | Both www + non-www | Both www + non-www | Both www + non-www | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Extended | Extended | Extended | Extended | |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1-5 Days | 5 Minutes | Instant | 1 Day | |
| up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | |
| 2048 bits | 2048 bits | 2048 bits | 2048 bits | |
| Very High | Very High | Very High | High | |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,500,000 | $1,750,000 | |
| 30 days | 30-Day | 30 days | 30 days | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | |
Why Do SSL Certificate Prices Vary So Dramatically?
- SSL certificate prices differ substantially because of various elements that influence their costs.
- Multiple elements determine why SSL certificates have different price points.
- The SSL certificate validation process consists of three stages which begin with DV (simple) then proceed to OV (business-verified) before reaching EV (extensively vetted).
- The selection of single-domain or wildcard (subdomains) or multi-domain options leads to higher SSL certificate prices.
- SSL certificates from well-known Certificate Authorities are becoming more expensive because they offer different levels of trust and various warranty and support packages.
- The total product value increases because of warranty protection and malware scanning and site seal functionality and management dashboard capabilities.
- SSL certificate prices depend on whether organizations want premium 24/7 support and international options.
What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing an SSL Certificate Provider?
- Validation options and process (DV, OV, EV).
- Warranty and support reputation.
- Browser and device compatibility.
- Bundled features (site seal, management panel, malware scanning).
- Issuance speed, reissue/refund policy, and renewal discounts.
- Trust seal and authority – choose established brands for eCommerce and sensitive data.
How Can Businesses Save Money on SSL Certificates without Compromising Security?
- Most hosting providers distribute free DV SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt which suits individual website needs.
- Organizations with multiple sites can decrease their expenses by using multi-domain certificates or by obtaining SSL certificates from their hosting providers.
- Organizations that buy SSL certificates for 2 to 3 years at once receive better value through discounted rates instead of paying annual subscription renewal costs.
- Organizations should evaluate their required features with precision because they should only acquire encryption and trust features that fulfill their specific needs.
- Users need to check prices between main providers and authorized resellers to find the best deals which result from promotional offers or negotiation agreements.
SSL Certificate Cost vs Value: Smart SSL Investment Decision
- DV SSL: Best for quick setup, blogs, basic encryption, or staging/test sites.
- The OV SSL certificate helps businesses establish credibility and gain customer trust which makes it appropriate for small and medium enterprises.
- The EV SSL certificate provides maximum trust for financial, health, eCommerce and regulated sectors at a high cost.
- The evaluation process involves comparing first costs to expected benefits while considering warranty protection and technical assistance and flexibility for growth and supplementary features.
SSL Certificate Pricing Breakdown by Type (Updated August 2025)
| Certificate Type | Price Range (USD/year) | Typical Use Case |
| DV SSL | $0 – $25 | Simple sites, blogs |
| OV SSL | $30 – $100 | SMBs, business websites |
| EV SSL | $70 – $180+ | eCommerce, finance, enterprise |
| Wildcard DV/OV SSL | $40 – $300+ | Sites with many subdomains |
| Multi-domain SSL | $20 – $150+ | Multi-site management |
| SAN EV SSL | $150 – $1,000+ | Top brands, regulated sectors |
Final Thoughts
A standard business needs to spend between $50 and $200 annually for SSL certificate protection to ensure security requirements and maintain customer trust and business operational needs. Basic security requirements of small businesses can be met with DV certificates but enterprises seeking maximum customer trust need to purchase EV SSL certificates at a higher price.
When choosing SSL certificates, you should evaluate your industry needs and compliance rules and customer requirements and system infrastructure capabilities. The cost difference between certificate types often represents a small percentage of total website operating costs while providing significant business value through enhanced security and customer trust.
SSL certificate expenses function as fundamental security infrastructure which businesses should not treat as discretionary costs. Your business will experience more severe consequences from security incidents and customer trust breakdowns and compliance breaches than the yearly expenses of SSL certificates that match your organization’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does an SSL certificate cost per year?
The annual cost of SSL certificates ranges from $10 to $1,000. Basic SSL certificates exist at two price points which range from $10 to $50 per year. Premium SSL certificates that include extended validation features cost between $200 and $1,000 annually. Web hosting services offer Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates at no cost to their customers.
Are free SSL certificates good enough?
Free SSL certificates provide standard encryption and security features that protect basic websites. The encryption provided by Let’s Encrypt and other free SSL providers matches industry standards at 256 bits. Free SSL certificates work well for small businesses and personal websites that need basic security.
What’s the difference between free and paid SSL certificates?
Free SSL certificates from Let’s Encrypt and other providers match paid certificates in terms of encryption power but exclude warranty protection and dedicated support and trust seals and extended validation options. The premium SSL certificates provide business liability protection together with dedicated support and multiple trust indicators.
Why do SSL certificates have different prices?
SSL certificate prices differ because of three main factors: validation requirements and warranty coverage and domain protection capabilities. The price of SSL certificates depends on three main factors: business verification requirements and warranty size and subdomain protection capabilities. The reputation of certificate authorities in the market determines the final price of their products.
How long does an SSL certificate last?
SSL certificates remain active for a period of 1 to 2 years before their expiration date. Most SSL certificate providers issue their certificates for a period of one year. Certificate authorities issue SSL certificates with validity periods ranging from one to two years. The security industry moved to stop issuing SSL certificates that exceeded two years because of security concerns.
How often do I need to renew SSL certificates?
SSL certificates need annual renewal but some providers offer certificate validity periods that extend beyond one year. Free SSL certificates from Let’s Encrypt need automated renewal systems because they expire every 90 days. Premium SSL certificates come with purchase options for 1 to 3 years which results in reduced costs.
Can I perform SSL certificate installation by myself?
Basic SSL certificate installation becomes possible through web hosting control panels which users can access. The SSL certificate installation process for Let’s Encrypt free certificates happens automatically. The installation of complex SSL certificates requires either technical expertise or assistance from web hosting support services.
Can I get SSL certificates for multiple domains?
SSL certificates with wildcard functionality protect all subdomains under one domain while multi-domain certificates protect different domains. The price of SSL certificates depends on domain coverage where wildcard certificates cost twice to three times more than single-domain certificates.
Are more expensive SSL certificates actually more secure?
Higher-priced SSL certificates do not provide enhanced security compared to their lower-priced counterparts. The encryption power of SSL certificates remains identical across all price points. The higher price of SSL certificates stems from extra features such as extended warranties and better customer support and trust indicators and stricter validation processes instead of enhanced encryption capabilities.
What happens if I choose the wrong SSL certificate type?
The process of certificate change requires users to obtain a new certificate and complete validation procedures again. The majority of SSL providers maintain consultation services which assist customers in selecting the correct SSL certificate for their business requirements.
Priya Mervana
Verified Web Security Experts
Priya Mervana is working at SSLInsights.com as a web security expert with over 10 years of experience writing about encryption, SSL certificates, and online privacy. She aims to make complex security topics easily understandable for everyday internet users.
