ZeroSSL vs SSL.com
Choose ZeroSSL if you want free, automated 90-day domain-validated certificates, including wildcard and multi-domain options; choose SSL.com if you need organization- or extended-validation certificates, paid certificate warranties, or a free certificate for one domain with a site seal. Both vendors sell SSL/TLS certificates and support ACME automation, but their free offerings cover different needs.
Last updated October 31, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | ZeroSSL | SSL.com |
|---|---|---|
| Validation levels | DV; HID enterprise partnership offers OV and EV | DV, OV and EV |
| Free certificates | Three 90-day dashboard certificates; free ACME issuance | Renewable 90-day single-domain DV certificate |
| Free ACME coverage | 90-day single-domain, multi-domain and wildcard certificates | DV certificates; free single-domain option |
| Paid starting price | Basic: $14.99/month, billed yearly | Basic DV: $49/year for a one-year order |
| Paid-plan limits | Basic: unlimited 90-day certificates and five annual certificate credits | Basic DV: one domain per certificate |
| Wildcard certificates | Free through ACME; annual wildcards on higher plans | Wildcard product available for purchase |
| ACME automation | Free 90-day issuance and renewal on all plans | DV issuance and renewal; certificates priced separately |
| REST API | Certificate-management API on all plans | Certificate purchasing and management API |
| Validation methods | Email, DNS CNAME or HTTP file upload | Email, DNS CNAME or HTTP file upload |
| Compatibility | ACME clients including acme.sh, win-acme and Caddy | ACME clients including Certbot, acme.sh and win-acme |
| Support | Free self-service; support tiers on paid plans | Knowledgebase and support tickets |
| Certificate warranty | Not published | None on free DV; $10,000 on paid Basic DV |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose ZeroSSL if
- Teams issuing free 90-day certificates through ACME
- Sites needing free ACME wildcard or multi-domain certificates
- Developers using a certificate-management dashboard and REST API
Choose SSL.com if
- Organizations needing OV or EV certificates
- Buyers requiring a paid certificate warranty
- Single-domain sites wanting a free certificate with a site seal
- Teams managing certificates through Certbot or other ACME clients
The verdict
The deciding factor is certificate requirements. ZeroSSL is the better fit for teams automating large numbers of domain-validated certificates without paying for ACME issuance. SSL.com is the better fit when verified organization identity or a paid certificate warranty matters. For a single free certificate, compare the workflows: both offer 90-day domain-validated certificates, while SSL.com includes a site seal and ZeroSSL also offers free wildcard and multi-domain certificates through ACME.
ZeroSSL vs SSL.com: common questions
- Are ZeroSSL and SSL.com both available to buy?
- Yes. ZeroSSL offers free and paid certificate plans, while SSL.com offers a free DV certificate and paid DV, OV and EV certificate products.
- Which has the more flexible free certificate option?
- ZeroSSL publishes free 90-day ACME issuance for single-domain, multi-domain and wildcard certificates. SSL.com offers a renewable free 90-day DV certificate covering one domain, with a site seal.
- Can I get an OV or EV certificate from either vendor?
- SSL.com sells OV and EV certificates directly. ZeroSSL's standard certificates are DV; its website describes OV and EV options through an enterprise partnership with HID.
- Do both vendors support automatic renewal?
- Yes. ZeroSSL offers free 90-day certificate issuance and renewal through ACME. SSL.com supports ACME issuance and renewal for DV certificates; its OV and EV ACME endpoints are not yet available.
- What does a paid certificate cost?
- ZeroSSL lists Basic at $14.99 per month billed yearly, with certificate allowances included. SSL.com lists a one-year Basic DV certificate order at $49. The vendors use different pricing models.
- Can I get a free wildcard certificate?
- ZeroSSL says its 90-day wildcard certificates issued through ACME are free. SSL.com sells a wildcard certificate product; its free DV certificate does not include wildcard coverage.
- Can developers use an API with either vendor?
- Yes. ZeroSSL offers a certificate-management REST API on its plans. SSL.com publishes a REST API for purchasing and managing certificates.
- Does either free certificate include a warranty?
- SSL.com states that its free DV certificate has no financial warranty and lists a $10,000 warranty for paid Basic DV. ZeroSSL does not publish a certificate warranty in its plan details.