In this article, I will be discussing the top free SSL certificate providers that are trusted by most web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and more. While there are many SSL certificate providers available on the market, these certificates offer assurance to customers that they are safe and secure while conducting sensitive transactions on websites. Although each provider on the list has its own unique features, they all offer free SSL certificates that are trusted and reliable.
Choosing the appropriate SSL certificate, which is also free, depends on the purpose you want to use it for.
What Are the Advantages of Using a Free SSL Certificate?
- Secured Data Exchange: SSL is a protocol that provides security to data exchange over the internet network, typically used on web pages. With SSL, all data processed through the site is encrypted and difficult for unauthorized users to read. The SSL uses public and private keys to encrypt data, making the processed data more secure.
- Increased Visitor Trust: Using SSL creates a green padlock with an HTTPS URL, which enhances trust in the website as compared to sites without such security. SSL and HTTPS also give visitors a sense that all data exchange is encrypted.
- Improved SEO Quality: Search engine optimization (SEO) is an essential part of website ranking. Google announced that HTTPS is a ranking factor, increasing the possibility of appearing on the search engine’s main page. This consideration ensures users can use the internet securely.
- No Excess Fees: Using free SSL does not require excessive website management fees. Paid SSL can cost at least 100,000, while other SSL versions can cost hundreds of thousands of rupiahs per year.
Looking to obtain a free SSL Certificate?
One way is to utilize the numerous provisioning services available on the internet. Some web hosting providers may also offer a free SSL service, but this depends on the individual provider. To assist you, here is a list of free SSL service providers that can be used for your website.
List of Top Free SSL Certificate Providers
1. CloudFlare Universal SSL
CloudFlare is not just a CDN provider, but it also offers an easy solution for website owners to add SSL to their sites. The service itself is not an SSL certificate provider, but by using it, you can enjoy free SSL services.
To use CloudFlare, you can simply sign up for the service and add your website address. Then, change your domain nameservers to CloudFlare’s nameservers. Once the setup is complete, be sure to redirect visitors from the HTTP version to HTTPS and update any URLs that still point to the old address.
By following these steps, you can take advantage of CloudFlare’s free SSL services.
2. Let’s Encrypt
Let’s Encrypt is a Certificate Authority (CA) that provides free SSL certificates to internet users worldwide. Its aim is to enhance internet security. Let’s Encrypt recently released its new version, eliminating the beta. This free SSL certificate is valid for 3 months and comes with an auto-renew feature. Let’s Encrypt has a few limitations, as some older browsers do not support it, but most new browsers are compatible.
Obtaining Let’s Encrypt is easy; one can use a hosting service provider that offers free SSL. Most hosting providers have included Let’s Encrypt in their services. If one uses VPS, they can install Certbot, a third-party application developed by EFF and one of the official Let’s Encrypt clients that can help install Let’s Encrypt.
3. Comodo SSL
Comodo is a reputable CA service provider with a large user base worldwide. Although Comodo SSL service is typically paid, users can take advantage of a 90-day free trial. This trial version is almost identical to the paid service, with no loss of features or security. The advantage of using the free 90-day service is that users can test SSL security certificates on new websites using 1028-bit signatures and 256-bit encryption. Further details about Comodo’s free SSL service can be found on their free SSL page.
4. Get HTTPS for free
Get HTTPS for Free is another SSL provider alternative to Let’s Encrypt. It is known for its ease of use and many automatic features. However, it has been reportedly abandoned for unclear reasons, despite being a favorite for many people. For more information, visit the Get HTTPS for Free website.
5. SSL For Free
SSL for Free is a free SSL service provider that uses a Certificate Authority (CA) from Let’s Encrypt. It offers all the features of a free SSL certificate, which are valid indefinitely. To get started, you simply need to enter your domain name and validate it using DNS records.
ACME is used by SSL for Free, which means there are no costs associated with using the service. Additionally, you can use this SSL certificate for both your main domain and subdomains. This makes SSL for Free an alternative choice to Get HTTPS for Free when using Let’s Encrypt.
For more information about SSL for Free, you can visit their website.
6. cPanel SSL
If your website is managed using cPanel, it is likely that you can obtain a free SSL service. cPanel often provides free SSL services through partnerships with other providers, which means you won’t need to purchase a separate certificate.
The type of certification authority (CA) used depends on the version of cPanel being used. Examples include Comodo, auto SSL, or the free SSL service from Let’s Encrypt.
If you use a web hosting and domain provider, you can check with the provider to see if they offer free SSL certificate services through cPanel, and what type of SSL is provided.
7. ZeroSSL
ZeroSSL is a free SSL Certificate provider that offers SSL tools for website owners. The certificates provided by ZeroSSL are trusted by all major browsers. While it has been mentioned on the internet and in some blogs, it is recommended that you thoroughly research the service and consider testing it before using it for your website.
8. OpenSSL
OpenSSL is an open-source project that offers Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols and Transport Layer Security (TLS). It is also a versatile cryptography library.
Conclusion
Just because you have a limited budget, it doesn’t mean that you can’t secure your website. There are many free SSL certificate providers available that can help protect your website from unwanted attacks. SSL not only increases visitor confidence but is also considered to improve website quality and search engine rankings.
Apart from SSL, there are many other security service recommendations that you can use to protect your website, such as implementing strong passwords, keeping your software up-to-date, using a firewall, and performing regular backups. Additionally, you can also use web security services like Cloudflare, Sucuri, and Wordfence to provide extra layers of protection.
If you have any other security-related questions or recommendations, feel free to share them with us through the comment section. And don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest information and updates from us.
