A common question is how much you should pay for an SSL. It’s a tricky question because SSL certificates can come at various prices. Which, ironically, also makes buying an SSL a little confusing. Should you go low, like the SSL certificate cost at Namecheap, or somewhere far more costly? This article should shed some light on the matter and help you decide whether affordable or expensive is the way you want to go.
Differentiating SSLs
First things first, what is the actual difference between expensive SSL certificates and their cheaper counterparts? The answer may surprise you — not much. All modern SSLs being sold right now are essentially the same product. They all use the TLS protocol to create an encrypted connection to and from your site so that no bad actors can eavesdrop and steal user data. Furthermore, they also offer the same 256-bit encryption strength. This means that the encryption key is 256 bits long, virtually impossible to crack by even the world’s most powerful supercomputer. So whether you go ultra-cheap or mega-high in price, you’ll get the same product.
Why the price difference, then? That’s a hard question, but like anything else, if the store wants to charge more, they will.
How to pick where to buy your SSL
So if looking at the price can’t be counted on to indicate a better quality product, what can? Well, like any other modern human who likes to shop online, you’ve likely surveyed reviews plenty of times before deciding to spend your money. The same goes here. Before you buy from an SSL store, make sure you have a good idea of their reputation among users first.
Another important factor is the level of support they provide. Do they have instructional content to help you activate and install your SSL? Do they have a responsive customer service team that will get back to you fast if you need extra help? SSL certificates, as we already mentioned, can be confusing whether you’re tech-savvy or not, so it’s important that they offer guidance along the way.
Lastly, research their partner Certificate Authority or CA. Find out whether they are considered trustworthy. If not, your SSL may not work in popular browsers. For example, Namecheap is partnered with Sectigo CA, one of the leading CAs in the business, so you know that you’ll have no issue with an SSL issued by them.
The takeaway
A little bit of consideration should go into where you buy an SSL and the type you get, but don’t make your decision based on price alone. A higher or lower price does not indicate better or worse quality. So read reviews, research their quality of service and their partner CA, and this should help you make the best decision for your site’s security needs.