Comparing Comodo Positive SSL and Let's Encrypt SSL: Which One Is Right for You?

Introduction

Securing your website with an SSL certificate is essential in today's digital landscape. It not only protects your data and your visitors but also boosts your website's credibility. Comodo Positive SSL and Let's Encrypt SSL are two popular options for securing your site. 

In this blog, we'll delve into the differences between these two SSL certificate providers to help you make an informed decision for your website's security.

Comodo Positive SSL and Let's Encrypt SSL are two different types of basic SSL/TLS certificates that serve the same fundamental purpose, which is to secure the communication between a web server and a user's browser. Both the SSL certificates are cheapest and provide the entry level encryption for securing data. However, they differ in several key aspects:

Issuer and Trustworthiness

• Comodo Positive SSL: Comodo, now Sectigo, is a well-established cybersecurity company known for providing a range of SSL certificates. Their Positive SSL certificates are widely recognized and trusted by major browsers.
• Let's Encrypt SSL: Let's Encrypt is a non-profit Certificate Authority (CA) that provides free SSL certificates. While it has gained trust over the years, some users may have concerns about its non-profit status compared to commercial CAs like Comodo.

Certificate Cost

• Comodo Positive SSL: Comodo Positive SSL certificates are commercial certificates and usually come with an annual cost. The price may vary depending on factors like the number of domains, subdomains, and the level of validation required.
• Let's Encrypt SSL: Let's Encrypt certificates are entirely free, making them an attractive option for those with budget constraints. However, keep in mind that these certificates need to be renewed every 90 days.

Validation Level

• Comodo Positive SSL: Comodo offers various SSL certificates with different validation levels, including domain validation (DV), organization validation (OV), and extended validation (EV). Positive SSL is a DV certificate, which verifies domain ownership but not the organization behind it.
• Let's Encrypt SSL: Let's Encrypt certificates are also DV certificates. They primarily validate domain ownership and do not include additional organization verification.

Wildcard Certificates

• Comodo Positive SSL: Comodo offers wildcard certificates, which can secure the main domain and all its subdomains with a single certificate. This is especially useful for large websites with multiple subdomains.
• Let's Encrypt SSL: Let's Encrypt offers wildcard certificates as of March 2018. This is a significant improvement, as it allows users to secure subdomains with a single certificate.

Validity Period

• Comodo Positive SSL: The validity period for Comodo Positive SSL certificates is typically one year. Some other Comodo certificates may offer longer validity periods.
• Let's Encrypt SSL: Let's Encrypt certificates have a shorter validity period of 90 days. This shorter period requires more frequent renewal, which can be automated through software.

Installation and Renewal Process

• Comodo Positive SSL: The installation and renewal process may vary depending on your hosting provider. Typically, you need to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) and follow your provider's instructions to install and renew the certificate.
• Let's Encrypt SSL: Let's Encrypt certificates are designed to be user-friendly, with many hosting providers offering automated installation and renewal options. Certbot is a popular tool for managing Let's Encrypt certificates.

Support and Customer Service

• Comodo Positive SSL: Being a commercial CA, Comodo typically offers customer support, including live chat, phone support, and email support. This can be valuable for resolving issues quickly.
• Let's Encrypt SSL: Let's Encrypt is a community-driven project, and while there are forums and community support, it lacks the dedicated customer support that commercial CAs like Comodo provide.

Trusted Root Certificates

• Comodo Positive SSL: Comodo is a well-established CA with widely recognized root certificates. This means that browsers and devices are more likely to trust Comodo-issued certificates.
• Let's Encrypt SSL: Let's Encrypt has gained widespread trust and is recognized by most modern browsers and devices, but it may not be as universally trusted as long-established commercial CAs.

Conclusion

Choosing between Comodo Positive SSL and Let's Encrypt SSL depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you require a trusted, hassle-free SSL certificate with a more extended validity period and dedicated customer support, Comodo Positive SSL might be the right choice. On the other hand, if you have budget constraints and value the idea of free SSL certificates, Let's Encrypt SSL is a great option, especially for smaller websites.

Ultimately, the choice between these two SSL providers should align with your website's size, purpose, and your willingness to manage the renewal process or invest in automation tools. Whichever option you select, the crucial aspect is to ensure your website is secure, as SSL certificates play a fundamental role in safeguarding your online presence.

Views