DigiCert SSL Alternatives (2025 Guide)

DigiCert is widely regarded as a global leader in the SSL/TLS certificate industry. Powering encryption for high-profile clients—including major banks, tech giants, and government agencies—DigiCert is known for its premium security solutions, enterprise-grade infrastructure, and compliance with the most stringent web trust standards.

However, DigiCert isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.

While it’s an excellent choice for large enterprises with complex security needs, many users—especially small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs), eCommerce sites, and freelance developers—find DigiCert’s offerings too expensive, overly complex, or slow in terms of issuance. Others may be looking for faster validation, multi-domain flexibility, or more affordable wildcard options.

If you’re evaluating alternatives to DigiCert, you’re likely asking:

• “Can I get the same level of trust and encryption at a lower cost?”

• “Is there a more agile provider with quicker certificate issuance?”

• “Are there CAs with better value for startups and SMBs?”

✅ This blog post answers those questions and more.

What You’ll Learn:

• A side-by-side comparison of DigiCert vs top alternatives (like SSL.com)

• A breakdown of pricing, features, and certificate types

• Use case recommendations for developers, businesses, and enterprises

• Insights into SSL issuance times, customer support, and ease of use

Whether you’re launching a new site, replacing an existing DigiCert certificate, or simply looking to cut costs without compromising security—this guide will help you make an informed, strategic choice.

Why Seek Alternatives to DigiCert?

DigiCert is widely regarded as a premium Certificate Authority (CA) in the SSL/TLS industry. It powers some of the largest enterprise websites and government infrastructures. However, not every organization finds DigiCert to be the ideal fit for their budget, use case, or deployment preferences. In many cases, businesses—especially SMBs and developers—seek more flexible, cost-effective, or regionally supported alternatives.

Here are some of the most common reasons to explore DigiCert alternatives:

1. Higher Pricing for Standard Certificates

DigiCert’s pricing structure tends to be on the higher end of the market, particularly for Domain Validation (DV) and Organization Validation (OV) certificates. For small websites, e-commerce startups, or non-enterprise platforms, these costs may exceed budget expectations—especially when equivalent security can be achieved at a lower price point from other CAs.

2. Enterprise-Centric Approach

DigiCert is optimized for enterprise-grade solutions, offering advanced certificate lifecycle management, automation APIs, and integrations geared toward large-scale deployments. However, for smaller organizations or individual developers, the platform and processes may feel unnecessarily complex or overly feature-heavy.

3. Issuance Speed and Ease of Use

Although DigiCert offers rapid issuance for Extended Validation (EV) certificates, it isn’t always the fastest for DV or OV certificates when compared to providers like SSL.com or Sectigo. Users looking for near-instant SSL issuance often prefer CAs with fully automated systems and streamlined verification steps.

4. Reduced Consumer Choice After Acquisitions

Over the past few years, DigiCert has absorbed several major brands including Symantec, GeoTrust, Thawte, and RapidSSL. While this consolidation has improved infrastructure reliability, it has also limited brand diversity. Customers who once preferred those individual brands may find fewer tailored options or price tiers under the DigiCert umbrella.

5. Demand for Affordable or Regionally Supported Options

In markets outside North America—such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa—many users prefer CAs that offer regionally adapted support, local pricing, and multilingual service. DigiCert’s focus on high-assurance, global corporate clients may not address these regional needs as well as other providers do.

Best DigiCert Alternative: SSL.com

Why SSL.com Tops the List

SSL.com has emerged as one of the most trusted and affordable alternatives to DigiCert—offering a full suite of SSL/TLS and digital identity solutions that meet the needs of individuals, small businesses, large enterprises, and government agencies alike.

Here are the key reasons SSL.com ranks as the top alternative:

1. Competitive Pricing
SSL.com provides some of the most budget-friendly options in the industry, with Domain Validation (DV) certificates starting under $10 per year. This makes it a practical choice for startups, developers, and anyone looking to secure a site without overspending.

2. Rapid Issuance
DV certificates can be issued in just minutes thanks to SSL.com’s fully automated verification process. Organization and Extended Validation certificates are also processed quickly with dedicated support staff to streamline documentation.

3. Comprehensive Product Range
SSL.com offers all major certificate types, including DV, OV, EV, wildcard, SAN (multi-domain), and code signing certificates. Whether you’re launching a personal website, running a SaaS platform, or distributing signed software, SSL.com has a certificate for you.

4. Modern Security Standards
All SSL.com certificates support the latest encryption protocols such as TLS 1.3, SHA-2, and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography), ensuring robust protection and compliance with today’s security benchmarks.

5. Reliable Support and Intuitive Platform
Users consistently rate SSL.com’s support team as responsive and helpful. The certificate management interface is clean and user-friendly, allowing even non-technical users to install and renew certificates with ease.

6. Broad Trust and Adoption
SSL.com certificates are trusted by major browsers and operating systems globally. They’re used by a wide spectrum of clients—including Fortune 500 companies, government entities, and SMBs across industries.

7. Additional Certificate Offerings
Beyond website security, SSL.com provides digital certificates for email signing and encryption (S/MIME), document signing (PDF), and code signing—covering the full spectrum of digital trust needs.

Example SSL.com Products

• Basic SSL (DV): Ideal for personal websites or blogs—get HTTPS up and running in minutes.

• Premium EV Certificate: Provides maximum trust and brand visibility with the green address bar and extended warranty.

• Multi-domain (SAN) SSL: Perfect for agencies, platforms, and enterprises managing multiple domains under one certificate.

• Code Signing Certificates: Supports standard and EV code signing for Windows, macOS, Java, and more—ensuring software integrity and reputation.

Other Popular DigiCert Alternatives (Compared)

If SSL.com isn’t the right fit for your needs, several other reputable Certificate Authorities (CAs) offer valid alternatives to DigiCert. Here’s how they compare based on pricing, features, and ideal use cases:

1. Sectigo (formerly Comodo)

Sectigo is one of the largest commercial Certificate Authorities in the world, with a strong reputation for affordability and variety.

• Offers a wide selection of SSL products including DV, OV, EV, wildcard, SAN, and multi-year plans.

• Pricing is competitive, especially through authorized resellers.

• Popular with hosting providers, resellers, and businesses seeking scalable solutions.

• Comes with strong warranty coverage and compatibility across all major browsers and devices.

Best for: SMBs, developers, and large-scale SSL deployments looking for value and flexibility.

2. GlobalSign

GlobalSign is known for its focus on enterprise-grade security and managed PKI solutions.

• Offers robust SSL/TLS, IoT identity management, and cloud-based certificate automation.

• Highly scalable, making it ideal for large organizations, SaaS providers, and multinational businesses.

• Slightly higher cost than some competitors, but known for uptime, support, and reliability.

Best for: Enterprises and organizations prioritizing PKI infrastructure and high-assurance digital identity solutions.

3. GoDaddy SSL

As a domain registrar and hosting provider, GoDaddy also offers SSL certificates bundled with its web services.

• Offers DV, OV, and EV certificates with basic setup assistance.

• Convenience factor is high if you already use GoDaddy for domains or hosting.

• Certificate options are limited and pricing is generally higher compared to other providers.

• May lack advanced features and automation required by growing businesses.

Best for: Small business owners and beginners who want everything in one place, despite a higher price tag.

4. Let’s Encrypt (Free SSL)

Let’s Encrypt provides free DV certificates via an automated issuance process and is backed by major tech organizations.

• Offers only Domain Validation (DV) certificates—sufficient for personal sites, blogs, and internal projects.

• Easy to automate using ACME protocol and supported by many hosting platforms.

• No Extended Validation or Organization Validation options.

• No direct customer support; best for users comfortable managing servers.

Best for: Developers, personal websites, and cost-sensitive projects that don’t require warranty, support, or high-assurance features.

Comparison Table: SSL.com vs DigiCert vs Sectigo vs GlobalSign vs Let’s Encrypt