ZeroSSL vs Sectigo
Choose ZeroSSL if you want free, automatically renewable domain-validated certificates; choose Sectigo if you need organization-validated certificates or a paid platform for discovering and managing certificates across providers. Both sell SSL/TLS solutions, but their entry points differ: ZeroSSL offers a free plan and free ACME issuance, while Sectigo sells individual certificates and offers Certificate Manager Pro subscriptions.
Last updated October 31, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | ZeroSSL | Sectigo |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate validation | DV; OV and EV through HID enterprise offering | DV, OV and EV certificates |
| Free access | Free plan; free 90-day ACME certificates | 30-day Certificate Manager Pro trial |
| Published paid entry price | Basic: $14.99/month, billed yearly | Certificate Manager Pro Basic: $25/month |
| Entry-plan capacity | Free plan: 3 dashboard-issued 90-day certificates; free ACME issuance | Certificate Manager Pro Basic: 3 FQDNs |
| Certificate management | Management console; HID enterprise lifecycle management | Certificate Manager Pro discovery and inventory; enterprise multi-CA management |
| Automation | ACME issuance and renewal | ACME; automated renewals on Certificate Manager Pro Plus and Advanced |
| Developer access | REST API and ACME | ACME; enterprise REST API |
| Domain coverage | Single-domain, multi-domain and wildcard certificates | Single-domain, multi-domain and wildcard certificates |
| Validation methods | Email, server upload and DNS CNAME | DNS CNAME or TXT, approved email addresses and file upload |
| Support | Free-plan self-service; paid-plan support tiers | 24/7 support with purchased SSL certificates |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose ZeroSSL if
- Individuals who need a free DV certificate
- Administrators who want free 90-day ACME issuance
- Teams that prefer published certificate-count subscription plans
- Developers who want ZeroSSL REST API access
Choose Sectigo if
- Buyers who need OV or EV certificates directly
- Teams that need discovery of existing public certificates
- Small organizations that want domain-based certificate management plans
- Enterprises managing certificates from multiple CAs
The verdict
The deciding factor is what you need to manage. Pick ZeroSSL for free 90-day certificates and straightforward ACME automation, or for a published subscription with unlimited 90-day certificates. Pick Sectigo if you need to buy OV or EV certificates directly, or want Certificate Manager Pro to discover existing public certificates and manage renewals across providers. ZeroSSL also offers OV, EV and enterprise lifecycle management through its HID Global enterprise offering, so those needs do not rule it out; they require a separate enterprise inquiry.
ZeroSSL vs Sectigo: common questions
- Are ZeroSSL and Sectigo both available to buy?
- Yes. ZeroSSL offers an active free plan and paid subscriptions; Sectigo sells SSL/TLS certificates and Certificate Manager Pro subscriptions.
- Which offers free SSL certificates?
- ZeroSSL offers a free plan with three 90-day certificates and free 90-day ACME issuance. Sectigo offers five free 90-day DV certificates during its 30-day Certificate Manager Pro trial.
- Can I get an OV or EV certificate from either vendor?
- Sectigo sells OV and EV certificates directly. ZeroSSL lists OV and EV certificates in its separate HID Global enterprise offering, not its standard self-service plans.
- Do both support ACME automation?
- Yes. ZeroSSL offers free 90-day ACME issuance and renewal. Sectigo offers ACME automation through Certificate Manager Pro Plus and Advanced and its enterprise platform.
- How do the paid plans compare?
- ZeroSSL Basic is listed at $14.99 per month billed yearly and includes unlimited 90-day certificates. Sectigo Certificate Manager Pro Basic is listed at $25 per month and includes three fully qualified domain names; Sectigo also sells individual certificates.
- Which can discover certificates I already have?
- Sectigo Certificate Manager Pro publishes discovery and inventory features for existing public certificates, including certificates from other providers. ZeroSSL publishes a management console for its certificates and a separate HID enterprise lifecycle-management offering.
- Can both cover wildcard and multiple domains?
- Yes. ZeroSSL and Sectigo both publish wildcard and multi-domain SSL/TLS certificate options. Eligibility and capacity depend on the certificate or plan selected.
- Which offers a REST API?
- ZeroSSL publishes a REST API for certificate management. Sectigo publishes REST API access for its enterprise Certificate Manager offering; Certificate Manager Pro describes ACME-based automation.