SSL certificate costs: what do you pay?
Do you want to know what the SSL certificate costs are? You are not the only one. More and more website owners are looking for clear information about the prices of SSL certificates. In this extensive article we explain everything about SSL certificate costs, from free options to premium certificates that cost hundreds of euros per year. So you can make a well-considered choice for the security of your website.
What exactly are SSL certificate costs?
SSL certificate costs vary enormously, depending on the type of certificate, the provider and the features you want. An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between your website and the visitor, so that sensitive data is transferred securely. But what are you actually paying for with this security?
In general you can divide SSL certificates into three price categories:
- Free SSL certificates: such as Let's Encrypt, ideal for small websites
- Affordable SSL certificates: between €10 and €100 per year
- Premium SSL certificates: from €100 to more than €500 per year
With many SSL certificate providers a basic version is often already included with your hosting plan. But if you want more validation or extra features, the costs rise quickly.
Types of SSL certificates and their SSL certificate costs
There are different types of SSL certificates, each with their own price range and security level. Below is an extensive overview:
| Certificate type | Validation level | Average cost per year | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain Validation (DV) | Low | Free-€50 | Blogs, small websites |
| Organization Validation (OV) | Medium | €50-€200 | Business websites |
| Extended Validation (EV) | High | €150-€500+ | Online stores, banks |
| Wildcard SSL | Variable | €80-€400 | Websites with subdomains |
| Multi-Domain (SAN) | Variable | €100-€600 | Multiple domains |
Domain Validation (DV) SSL
A DV certificate is the cheapest type of SSL certificate. The validation only checks whether you are the owner of the domain. This process takes just a few minutes. The cost lies between free (through Let's Encrypt) and about €50 per year with commercial providers.
Organization Validation (OV) SSL
With an OV certificate your organisation is also checked. This gives visitors more confidence because they can see that the certificate was issued to a verified company. The cost typically lies between €50 and €200 per year.
Extended Validation (EV) SSL
The EV certificate offers the highest form of validation. The certificate authority carries out an extensive check of your company. This type used to be recognisable by the green address bar, although modern browsers display it differently. Expect costs of €150 to more than €500 per year.
Free SSL vs. paid: what are the SSL certificate cost differences?
A common question is: why pay for an SSL certificate when there are free options? The differences lie in several aspects:
- Validation level: free certificates only offer DV, paid ones also offer OV and EV
- Warranty: paid certificates come with a financial warranty of sometimes up to €1,750,000
- Support: with paid certificates you get technical support
- Validity: free certificates are valid for 90 days, paid ones up to 1 year
- Trust: EV certificates show your company name, which builds trust
For a personal blog or portfolio, a free SSL certificate is fine. But for an online store or business website where customer data is processed, a paid certificate is often the better choice.
Factors that influence SSL certificate costs
The final price of your SSL certificate depends on several factors:
1. The type of validation
As described above, DV certificates are the cheapest and EV certificates the most expensive. The costs rise with the validation level because more checking is required.
2. The number of domains
A standard SSL certificate secures one domain. If you want to secure multiple domains or subdomains, you need a Wildcard or Multi-Domain certificate. This increases the costs considerably.
3. The term
Some providers give a discount when you pay for several years in advance. Do note: the maximum validity of SSL certificates is nowadays limited to 1 year, after which automatic renewal takes place.
4. The certificate authority
Well-known brands such as DigiCert, Sectigo and GlobalSign charge higher prices than lesser-known providers. Here you partly pay for the brand name and the trust it conveys.
5. Extra features
Some certificates offer extra features such as malware scanning, vulnerability assessment or a site seal. These extras raise the price.
SSL certificate costs per provider compared
To give you a concrete picture, we compare the costs at a few popular providers:
| Provider | DV SSL (per year) | OV SSL (per year) | EV SSL (per year) | Wildcard (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Let's Encrypt | Free | N/A | N/A | Free |
| Sectigo (Comodo) | €15-€40 | €60-€150 | €150-€300 | €80-€250 |
| DigiCert | €40-€80 | €150-€300 | €300-€500 | €200-€400 |
| GlobalSign | €30-€60 | €120-€250 | €250-€450 | €150-€350 |
| GeoTrust | €25-€50 | €80-€180 | €200-€350 | €120-€300 |
Note: these prices are indicative and can vary. Many web hosting providers offer SSL certificates at lower prices because they receive bulk discounts from certificate authorities.
How do you save on SSL certificate costs?
There are several ways to save on your SSL certificate:
- Use Let's Encrypt: free and renewable automatically, perfect for most websites
- Choose a hosting plan with SSL: many hosts offer free SSL with their plans
- Pay for multiple years: some providers give a discount for longer periods
- Compare providers: prices vary widely, so comparing pays off
- Choose the right type: do not buy EV if DV is enough for your situation
When is a paid SSL certificate worth the investment?
A paid SSL certificate is mainly worthwhile in these situations:
- You process payments: online stores need a higher security level
- You process sensitive data: medical, financial or personal data require extra protection
- You want maximum trust: an EV certificate shows your company name in the certificate
- You need a warranty: the financial warranty protects against damage caused by an error in the certificate
- You have multiple domains: a Multi-Domain or Wildcard certificate is then more economical
SSL certificate costs and SEO: what is the connection?
Google has confirmed that HTTPS is a ranking factor. That means an SSL certificate not only secures your website, but can also contribute to a better position in the search results. So the cost of an SSL certificate is also an investment in your SEO.
In addition, browsers such as Chrome show a warning on websites without SSL. This scares visitors away and raises your bounce rate, which indirectly harms your SEO too.
The ROI of SSL
If you weigh the SSL certificate costs against the benefits (better SEO, more trust, lower bounce rate, meeting legal requirements), then an SSL certificate is one of the best investments you can make in your website. Even the free option already delivers considerable benefits.
Frequently asked questions about SSL certificate costs
Is a free SSL certificate as secure as a paid one?
Yes, in terms of encryption there is no difference. A free Let's Encrypt certificate uses the same 256-bit encryption as a paid certificate. The difference lies in the validation level, warranty and support.
How long is an SSL certificate valid?
Free certificates (Let's Encrypt) are valid for 90 days and are renewed automatically. Paid certificates are valid for a maximum of 1 year.
Can I move my SSL certificate to another host?
Yes, paid certificates can usually be exported and reinstalled with another web hosting provider. Free certificates from the host are usually tied to that specific hosting.
SSL certificate costs vary from free to hundreds of euros per year. For most websites a free DV certificate through Let's Encrypt is more than enough. Businesses that process payments or want to convey maximum trust do well to invest in an OV or EV certificate.
The most important thing is that you have an SSL certificate at all. The costs are negligible compared to the benefits: better security, more trust from visitors, and a positive effect on your position in search engines.
SSL certificate costs: types of SSL certificates compared
The SSL certificate costs vary strongly depending on the type of certificate. It is important to choose the right type for your specific situation.
Domain Validation (DV) certificates
DV certificates are the most basic and cheapest option. They only validate that you are the owner of the domain, not who you are as an organisation. Issuance takes just a few minutes. Let's Encrypt offers free DV certificates that are automatically renewed every 90 days. Most hosting providers, including Theory7, offer free Let's Encrypt certificates with every hosting plan. For blogs, portfolio websites and small business websites, a DV certificate is more than enough.
Organization Validation (OV) certificates
OV certificates verify not only the domain but also the identity of the organisation. The Certificate Authority checks your business registration and company details. This process takes one to three working days. OV certificates cost between fifty and two hundred euros per year. They are suitable for business websites that want to convey extra trust, without going through the full Extended Validation process.
Extended Validation (EV) certificates
EV certificates offer the highest level of validation. The Certificate Authority carries out an extensive check of the organisation, including the physical address, legal form and operational status. This process takes one to two weeks. EV certificates cost between one hundred and five hundred euros per year. They are recommended for large online stores, financial institutions and government websites where maximum trust is crucial.
SSL certificate costs: hidden expenses and savings
When calculating the total SSL certificate costs you have to take into account more than just the purchase price.
Wildcard vs single-domain certificates
A single-domain certificate secures one domain (for example theory7.net). A Wildcard certificate secures the main domain plus all subdomains. If you use multiple subdomains (shop.theory7.net, blog.theory7.net, mail.theory7.net), a Wildcard certificate is more economical than buying a certificate for each subdomain separately.
| Certificate type | Cost per year | Validation | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DV (Let's Encrypt) | Free | Domain | Blogs, small websites |
| DV (Commercial) | €10-50 | Domain | Business websites |
| OV | €50-200 | Organisation | Business websites |
| EV | €100-500 | Extended | Online stores, financial |
| Wildcard DV | €50-150 | Domain + subdomains | Websites with subdomains |
| Wildcard OV | €150-400 | Organisation + subdomains | Large companies |
Saving on SSL certificate costs
The simplest way to save is using free Let's Encrypt certificates. For most websites these offer exactly the same encryption as paid certificates. Only choose a paid certificate if you need OV or EV validation, or if you want a warranty for security incidents. Some Certificate Authorities offer a discount on multi-year purchases, but weigh this against the risk of being locked into a long-term contract.
Installing and managing an SSL certificate
After purchase you have to install and maintain the SSL certificate correctly. An incorrectly configured certificate can cause error messages and security warnings.
Installation through your hosting provider
With most hosting providers you can install an SSL certificate with a few clicks through the control panel. In DirectAdmin you go to SSL Certificates and upload your certificate files. Let's Encrypt certificates are often installed and renewed automatically. After installation you have to force your website to use HTTPS by setting up a redirect in your .htaccess file or through your CMS settings.
Fixing mixed content
After activating HTTPS you can get mixed content warnings if some resources (images, scripts, stylesheets) are still loaded over HTTP. Fix this by updating all internal URLs to HTTPS. In WordPress you can use the Really Simple SSL plugin that handles this automatically. Also check external resources and update them to HTTPS versions where possible. You can read more about this in our article on the difference between HTTP and HTTPS.
SSL certificate costs: frequently asked questions
We answer the most frequently asked questions about SSL certificate costs here. Is a free SSL certificate as secure as a paid one? Yes, the encryption is identical, the difference lies in the type of validation and the warranty, not in the security. How long is an SSL certificate valid? Let's Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days and are renewed automatically. Paid certificates are valid for one to two years. Do I need a separate certificate per subdomain? Not if you have a Wildcard certificate, this covers all subdomains. What does it cost if my certificate expires? The certificate itself costs nothing extra, but your website shows security warnings that keep visitors away. Can I transfer a certificate to another server? Yes, by exporting the certificate and the private key and importing them on the new server.
Minimising SSL certificate costs
There are several ways to limit the SSL certificate costs without compromising on security. Use Let's Encrypt for most websites, it is free and offers the same encryption strength as paid certificates. Choose a hosting provider that offers free SSL certificates with every plan. If you use multiple subdomains, invest in a Wildcard certificate instead of separate certificates per subdomain. Automate the renewal to prevent forgotten renewals (and the associated panic purchases). Only buy paid certificates when you need OV or EV validation for the highest trust levels during financial transactions or with sensitive data.
SSL certificate costs: summary and advice
The SSL certificate costs do not have to be an obstacle to a secure website. Use a free Let's Encrypt certificate for most websites, the encryption is identical to paid alternatives. Choose an OV certificate (fifty to two hundred euros per year) if you want extra organisation verification for business websites. Reserve EV certificates (one hundred to five hundred euros per year) for online stores and financial services where maximum trust is essential. Use Wildcard certificates if you manage multiple subdomains. Automate the renewal to prevent forgetting and downtime. Most hosting providers, including Theory7, offer free SSL with every plan, check this before you buy a certificate separately.
SSL certificates: the future of web security
The evolution of SSL certificates does not stop. In 2026 TLS 1.3 is becoming the standard with faster handshakes and stronger encryption. Certificate Transparency requires public logging of all issued certificates for better fraud prevention. Automatic certificate issuance through the ACME protocol makes SSL accessible to everyone. Browsers are becoming ever stricter: HTTP pages are prominently marked as insecure. In time, certificates may become valid for shorter periods (30 to 45 days) to strengthen security further. Make sure your website already runs fully on HTTPS today with automatic certificate renewal.
SSL certificate costs: comparison table per type
| Certificate type | Cost per year | Validation | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Let's Encrypt (DV) | Free | Domain validation | Blogs, portfolio, small sites |
| Comodo DV | €10-50 | Domain validation | Business websites |
| OV certificate | €50-200 | Organisation validation | Business websites, online stores |
| EV certificate | €100-500 | Extended Validation | Financial services, large online stores |
| Wildcard DV | €50-150 | Domain validation | Multiple subdomains |
| Wildcard OV | €200-600 | Organisation validation | Large organisations with subdomains |
| Multi-domain (SAN) | €100-400 | Domain or organisation | Multiple domain names on one server |
SSL certificate costs: saving without compromising
You can limit the SSL certificate costs without compromising on security. Choose a hosting provider that offers free Let's Encrypt certificates with every plan, the encryption is identical to paid alternatives. Avoid expensive EV certificates unless you are a financial institution or large e-commerce party. Use a Wildcard certificate instead of separate certificates per subdomain if you manage multiple subdomains. Automate renewal to prevent penalties for expired certificates and downtime. Compare prices from different Certificate Authorities before you buy, because the price differences are considerable.
SSL certificate costs: automatic renewal
A forgotten renewal deadline can lead to an expired SSL certificate with downtime and warnings in the browser as a result. Automate the renewal to prevent this. Let's Encrypt certificates are renewed automatically through certbot or your hosting provider's ACME client. Paid certificates can be set to automatic renewal at your Certificate Authority. Most hosting providers manage the renewal for you, but check this explicitly. Set a reminder for 30 and 14 days before the expiry date as a backup. Monitor your certificates with a tool such as SSL Labs or UptimeRobot that warns you when a certificate is about to expire.
SSL certificate: frequently asked questions about costs
Is a free SSL certificate as secure as a paid one? Yes, the encryption is technically identical: AES-256 with a 2048-bit RSA key. Then why are some certificates expensive? The price reflects the validation procedure, warranty amount and customer service, not the encryption strength. Do I need to buy a separate certificate per subdomain? No, a Wildcard certificate covers all subdomains. Can I move a certificate to another server? Yes, by exporting the certificate and the private key and installing them on the new server.
The SSL certificate costs are no longer an excuse in 2026 to leave your website unsecured. With free Let's Encrypt certificates at most hosting providers, including Theory7, a secure HTTPS connection is available to everyone. Invest in the right certificate type for your situation and automate the renewal for worry-free security.
Sources and references
- SSL Labs - SSL Server Test by Qualys (ssllabs.com)
- ACM - Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (acm.nl)
- Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (kvk.nl)
