Which one to buy.
DOMAIN VALIDATED
Verifies you control the domain. Issued quickly, usually within minutes.
Encrypts identically to any other type.
The free AutoSSL certificates are of this type.
ORGANISATION VALIDATED
Verifies your business exists, in addition to domain control.
Takes longer and requires documentation.
Shows your verified business name in the certificate details.
EXTENDED VALIDATION
The most thorough verification. Used mainly by financial institutions.
Visual indicators in browsers have been reduced, so the practical benefit is smaller than it once was.
WILDCARD
Covers a domain and all its subdomains at one level.
Useful where you have many subdomains. AutoSSL covers subdomains individually and works well for a modest number.
MULTI-DOMAIN
Covers several distinct domains on one certificate.
WHICH TO CHOOSE
For most sites, the free AutoSSL certificate.
For a business wanting its verified name in the certificate, organisation validated.
For many subdomains, a wildcard.
IF UNSURE
Ask us. We will tell you honestly whether you need to pay.
