When we talk about site security, most site owners think about protecting the server and the website. However, there is one more way a hacker can access sensitive information – while it is being transmitted between the server and the user’s terminal. To protect the server, site owners look at secure hosting plans in India. For site protection, they use security tools like SiteLock. However, to protect the data being shared between the user’s device and the server, the most effective tool is an SSL Certificate. While the Comodo SSL Certificate is one of the most popular SSL certificates, there are many more options to choose from. There are free and paid versions of SSL certificates too. Today, we will talk about SSL certificates and help you choose between free and paid SSL Certificates. Read the detailed difference between Free and Paid SSL here.
Free & Paid SSL Certificates
When it comes to an SSL certificate in India, there are free and paid options available. Interestingly, a free certificate offers the same level of encryption as a paid certificate. However, a paid SSL certificate offers a range of benefits to site owners. Here are some differences between the two:
Free vs Paid SSL Certificates
| Feature | Free | Paid |
| Types of validation | When you opt for a free SSL certificate, you only get a Domain validation. It means that the certificate only verifies that the organization is the rightful owner of the site’s domain. | When you buy Comodo SSL SSL certificates or any other paid SSL certificate, you can choose between three types of validation: 1. Domain Validation 2. Organizational Visualization 3. Extended Validation |
| Validity of the Certificate | Usually, free certificates gave a validity of around 30-90 days. | When you buy an SSL security certificate, the validity is around 1-2 Years. |
| User trust | Free SSL certificates offer no visible sign of assurance to site visitors since they only validate the domain. Hence, users might not be able to trust these sites easily. | With paid SSL certificates, you have the option of choosing between domain, organizational, and extended validation. These certificates offer a visual sign on your site that indicates that communication between the site’s server and the user’s device is encrypted. The address bar carries the name of your organization, information about the certificate, etc. |
| Warranties | Free SSL certificates have no warranties. Therefore, you will have to manage any errors that you face with these certificates. | A paid SSL certificate for website offers warranties that take care of any technical glitch you face in encrypting the communication between the desired device and your site. |
| Support | Since the certificate is free, the issuing authorities cannot offer support to the site owners. | With paid SSL hosting, the certificate authority provides a robust support team via phone, email, and chat. |
Summing Up
If online users don’t trust your site, then you can lose reputation and crucial SEO points. Therefore, apart from securing the server and the website, ensure that you install an SSL Certificate to protect sensitive data while being exchanged. Good Luck!
