- Abi Djanogly
- 22 hours ago
- 6 min read
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SSL certificate costs can vary widely, from free options suitable for basic websites to premium certificates that cost hundreds of dollars per year for large enterprises.
When you create a website and buy a domain name, understanding these pricing differences is essential to securing your site without overspending, especially since the right SSL depends on your business size, traffic level and security needs.
Today, most website builders and hosting providers include a basic SSL certificate as part of their domain registration or hosting package, which means you may not need to pay extra at all.
However, eCommerce stores and organizations that handle sensitive customer data often require paid SSL certificates that offer higher warranty coverage, extended validation and visible trust indicators to reassure visitors and protect transactions.
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TL;DR: how much does an SSL certificate cost?
Short on time? Here’s what you’ll find in this article:
An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates a website's identity and enables an encrypted connection. Costs depend on the validation level i.e. Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV) or Extended Validation (EV), and the number of domains covered.
SSL type | Validation level | Typical cost (per year) | Best for |
Free SSL | Domain Validation (DV) | $0 | Blogs, portfolios, small sites |
Paid DV SSL | Domain Validation (DV) | $10 - $100 | Small businesses needing support |
Organization validation (OV) | Organization Validation | $50 - $200 | Registered businesses, non-profits |
Extended validation (EV) | Extended Validation | $150 - $1000+ | Large ecommerce, banking, enterprise |
Wildcard SSL | Varies | $50 - $500+ | Sites with multiple subdomains |
What is an SSL certificate?
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital file that binds a cryptographic key to an organization’s details. When installed on a web server, it activates the padlock and the https protocol (over port 443) and allows secure connections from a web server to a browser.
Think of it as a digital passport for your website. It proves you are who you say you are and creates a secure tunnel for data to travel through. Without it, any information exchanged between a user and your site, e.g. passwords, credit card numbers or emails, is sent as plain text, making it vulnerable to interception.
You can get an SSL certificate for your site by purchasing one from a trusted certificate authority (CA) or by using a website builder or hosting provider that includes SSL automatically with domain registration and site publishing.
“Certain domain registrars offer packages with added security (like WHOIS privacy protection), premium DNS services, SSL certificates or website-building tools. While these extras can increase the annual cost, they offer value in terms of convenience, security and performance. For businesses handling sensitive data or relying heavily on online transactions, these features are crucial." - Kumar Abhinav, senior link building analyst at Mavlers
Explore further:
How much does an SSL certificate cost?
The price tag on security isn't one-size-fits-all. Let's break down what you actually get for your money across different tiers.
Domain Validation (DV) certificates
Cost: Free to ~$100/year
This is the most basic level. The Certificate Authority simply checks that you own the domain name. It’s fast (often issued in minutes) and sufficient for blogs, personal sites or informational pages that don't collect payments. Many hosts and builders offer these for free via Let’s Encrypt. Paid versions usually just add better customer support or warranties.
Organization Validation (OV) certificates
Cost: $50 - $200/year
Here, the CA verifies your business actually exists. They check government registries to confirm your organization is legitimate. It takes a few days to issue. The certificate details will display your organization's name, adding a layer of credibility suitable for public-facing business websites.
Extended Validation (EV) certificates
Cost: $150 - $1,000+/year
This is the gold standard. The vetting process is rigorous: the CA verifies the legal, physical and operational existence of the entity. You’ll see these on banking sites and major retailers. While browsers no longer display the green bar with the company name, the certificate details still provide the highest level of assurance.
Wildcard and Multi-Domain certificates
Cost: $50 - $500+/year
If you have subdomains (like shop.yoursite.com and blog.yoursite.com), buying individual certificates can get pricey. A Wildcard SSL covers a main domain and unlimited subdomains. A Multi-Domain (SAN) SSL covers completely different domain names under one certificate.
Learn more: what is a subdomain?
Why you need an SSL certificate
Security isn't the only reason to get certified. While encryption is the primary function, the ripple effects of having that padlock icon go much further for your business growth.
Better search rankings
Search engines like Google prioritize secure websites. Since 2014, HTTPS has been a ranking signal. If your site isn't secure, you're likely losing visibility to competitors who are. Browsers like Chrome may even flag your site as "Not Secure," which scares visitors away before they even read your content.
Discover more about website security.
Built-in customer trust
When visitors see the padlock icon next to your URL, they know their connection is private. This visual cue is essential for keeping bounce rates low and engagement high. People are becoming more privacy-conscious; if they don't feel safe, they won't stay.
Learn more: domain vs URL.
Compliance with regulations
If you accept payments or handle personal data, you likely have legal obligations to protect that information. Standards like PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) require SSL certificates for any site processing credit card transactions.
Read more: best SSL certificate providers.
How to get an SSL certificate with Wix
Wix simplifies domain registration for your business by handling security at the platform level. Instead of sourcing third-party certificate authorities or configuring servers manually, everything is managed for you in one place.
Wix ensures secure domain registration with SSL certification automatically. Every site published on Wix includes a free SSL certificate enabled by default, so HTTPS is activated the moment your site goes live. With Wix offering quick domain registration, your domain and SSL are provisioned together—removing setup friction and ensuring your site is protected from day one.
Follow these steps to get an SSL certificate with Wix:
01. Create your site
Sign up and build your website using Wix’s editor or AI website generator. SSL support is conveniently included by default, so there’s no need to select or configure a certificate during setup.
02. Connect your domain
Whether you buy a new domain through Wix or connect one you already own, Wix automatically links the domain to your site. Once connected, the SSL certificate is issued for that domain without manual DNS changes.
Check out Wix's domain name search tool and domain name generator.
03. Get published
As soon as your site goes live, Wix automatically provisions and installs the SSL certificate. HTTPS is enabled across all pages to encrypt data between your site and visitors.
04. Stay secure
Wix handles certificate renewals automatically, ensuring uninterrupted encryption and compliance. You never need to track expiration dates or reissue certificates manually.
Wix combines fast domain registration with built-in security management, allowing you to focus on your business instead of maintaining SSL configurations and infrastructure.
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SSL Cost FAQ
Is a free SSL certificate good enough?
For most standard websites, blogs and portfolios, yes. The main difference lies in the validation process (usually just DV) and the lack of a financial warranty. If you are a large enterprise or handle high-value transactions, a paid OV or EV certificate offers higher trust and protection guarantees.
Why are some SSL certificates so expensive?
The cost generally correlates with the level of identity verification. An EV certificate requires a human to manually verify extensive business records, which costs the Certificate Authority time and money. Additionally, expensive certificates often come with higher warranty amounts (insurance against the encryption failing) and premium customer support.
Do I need to buy an SSL certificate if I use a website builder?
Usually, no. Platforms like Wix include SSL certificates as part of their hosting infrastructure. They handle the procurement, installation and renewal for you at no extra cost. Always check your plan details, but modern website builders generally treat SSL as a standard, included feature.
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