Website
Quick choice
Editor's Choice
We test and review software products using an independent, multipoint methodology. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission. Read about our editorial process.
Securing a website with an SSL certificate is a must in 2025—not just for encrypting user data, but also for improving SEO, gaining user trust, and enabling secure transactions. Whether you're running an online store, a company website, or a personal blog, choosing the right SSL provider can make a significant difference in performance, trust, and ease of management.
In this guide, we review the best SSL certificate providers to consider this year, including A2 Hosting, HostPapa, ZeroSSL, Namecheap, SSLs.com, Name.com, GlowHost, ScalaHosting, and Network Solutions. We’ll walk through what makes each of them stand out, who they’re best for, and what types of SSL certificates they offer.
Before choosing a provider, consider these key factors:
Certificate types offered: Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV)
Wildcard and multi-domain support
Ease of installation: One-click activation, cPanel integration, or automatic SSL tools
Pricing and renewal costs
Issuance speed: How fast you receive your certificate after validation
Customer support: 24/7 availability and SSL-specific help
Brand trust: Some certificates are backed by well-known authorities (like Sectigo, DigiCert, or GlobalSign)
A2 Hosting offers free SSL certificates with all hosting plans via Let's Encrypt. For users looking for advanced options, they also sell premium SSLs, including Wildcard and EV certificates. Installation is seamless within their cPanel dashboard, and renewals can be automated.
Best for: Website owners looking for fast hosting + free SSL with upgrade paths.
HostPapa includes a free SSL with its basic hosting plans and offers premium options for more advanced needs. Their premium SSLs come with higher warranty levels and trust indicators like a site seal. Integration is simple through their dashboard.
Best for: Small businesses and site owners who want security and support in one place.
ZeroSSL stands out by offering completely free 90-day SSL certificates (similar to Let’s Encrypt), but with a more user-friendly interface. It also offers paid DV, OV, and Wildcard certificates with flexible pricing. Developers appreciate the detailed API documentation and fast support.
Best for: Developers, small businesses, and startups looking for free or low-cost SSL.
Namecheap is one of the most popular domain registrars and also a major SSL vendor. They offer some of the lowest prices on DV and OV SSLs, with frequent discounts. Their dashboard makes it easy to install, manage, and renew certificates—even across multiple domains.
Best for: Budget-conscious users managing several websites.
A sister company to Namecheap, SSLs.com offers a dedicated SSL marketplace with a simple shopping experience and some of the lowest prices online. You’ll find major brands like Sectigo, and options for Wildcard and Multi-Domain SSLs.
Best for: Resellers and users who prioritize pricing and options.
Name.com offers standard SSL certificates with easy integration into their hosting and domain services. While they don't have the widest variety of certificate types, their interface is beginner-friendly, and setup is fast.
Best for: Beginners who want to keep domain, hosting, and SSL in one place.
GlowHost offers a wide range of SSL certificates, including EV, OV, Wildcard, and Multi-Domain SSLs. They also offer installation support and certificate consultation for users who need guidance. Their certificates come from major brands like GeoTrust and RapidSSL.
Best for: Businesses looking for hands-on support and premium SSL brands.
ScalaHosting provides free SSL via Let's Encrypt with all of its hosting plans, and users can also purchase commercial SSLs. Their managed VPS plans include automated SSL renewals and advanced security tools, making SSL integration simple.
Best for: VPS users and managed hosting customers who want hands-off SSL security.
Network Solutions has been in the domain and hosting industry for decades and offers premium SSL certificates backed by high warranty levels. Their EV SSLs include dynamic site seals and strong authentication features—ideal for enterprises and ecommerce platforms.
Best for: Large businesses that need high-assurance SSL and strong brand trust.
Beyond security, SSL certificates play a crucial role in modern SEO and digital trust. Google considers HTTPS a ranking factor, meaning unsecured sites may rank lower in search results. SSL is also key to earning user trust—especially for ecommerce and SaaS platforms.
Visitors are more likely to engage and convert on a site marked "secure." Without SSL, browsers display warnings that scare users away. This makes even a basic DV certificate a necessity.
Free SSL certificates (like Let’s Encrypt and ZeroSSL) are a great starting point for small websites. However, they usually come with basic encryption and minimal validation.
Paid SSLs - especially OV and EV types - offer:
Stronger trust indicators (like the green address bar or company name)
Higher warranty levels
Brand validation and more support options
For ecommerce, payment processing, and B2B websites, a premium SSL provides both peace of mind and professional credibility.
Whether you're looking for a free SSL for your blog or an enterprise-grade EV certificate, there’s a provider to match your needs and budget.
Choose A2 Hosting or ScalaHosting if you want free SSL bundled with hosting.
Go with ZeroSSL or Namecheap for budget-friendly, flexible options.
Pick Network Solutions or GlowHost if you need high-trust, high-assurance certificates.
Use SSLs.com if you're reselling or managing multiple sites.
Take time to consider your technical needs, preferred level of support, and whether you need scalability across domains or wildcard coverage. With the right SSL provider, you’ll secure your site, build trust, and stay ahead of today’s online security expectations.
Yes, it is possible to use free SSL certificates for your website. Many providers offer free SSL certificate options, which can be ideal for websites with a limited budget or low traffic volume.
These free certificates usually provide a basic level of protection that includes encrypting data between the user and the server. However, it's important to keep in mind that free certificates may have limited features or expiration dates, and for some websites, especially those that collect sensitive information, it may be more appropriate to consider paid options for advanced features and higher levels of protection. You should carefully compare the features and limitations of each free certificate before making a decision.
Using SSL can affect the speed of your website, but this impact is usually minimal. The encryption and decryption of data that occurs when using SSL can lead to a slight increase in page load times.
However, modern technology and server optimization can reduce this impact to a minimum. Many SSL providers try to minimize this effect by offering fast and efficient servers as well as advanced encryption algorithms.
Thus, while there may be slight delays, they are usually not a big deal for most websites and do not outweigh the benefits of using SSL to ensure user security and trust.
Choosing a trusted SSL provider is critical to ensuring the security and trustworthiness of your website. A trusted provider ensures that your SSL certificate meets security and data protection standards.
This is important because the SSL certificate is responsible for encrypting sensitive information such as personal data and user payment details.
A trustworthy provider will also provide reliable technical support that will be on hand to address any problems or issues related to your SSL certificate. In addition, the reputation of the provider can affect the trust users have in your website, so it's important to choose a company with a good reputation and positive reviews. Considering these factors, choosing a reliable SSL provider will be a key element in ensuring the security and success of your website.
