If you need to make your website HTTPS compliant, you’re lucky because I’ll take you through everything you need to know. I’ll look at the best SSL certificate providers, followed by the best WordPress SSL plugins. Whether you are a large organization or want to make it more secure, there is a solution for you here.
Best SSL Certificate Providers
Without an SSL certificate, your website might put off some of your visitors. You will also have a problem selling anything on your website, as you need an SSL certificate if you will be receiving money through your website.
Thankfully, I have found four SSL certificate providers that will turn your site from HTTP to HTTPS.
Let’s Encrypt
🏆 Best for those on a tight budget.
You might think that getting an SSL certificate for your website would be an expensive and complicated process. Thankfully, you would be wrong. With Let’s Encrypt, you can get an SSL certificate completely free, and with most web hosts, you can install the certificate on your domain in just a few clicks.
Key features:
- Transparency – all certificates are recorded publicly and can be inspected by anyone.
- It is an open standard that anyone can adopt.
- Created by the community for the community.
Pros:
- Many web hosts offer free Let’s Encrypt certificates.
- Can activate an SSL certificate on a domain in just a few clicks.
Cons:
- Certificates expire after 90 days.
Comodo SSL
🏆 Best for knowledgable web developers with specific SSL requirements.
Comodo SSL is a company specializing in SSL certificates, so it’s no surprise to see they offer various SSL certificate types. However, the sheer range of choices available is staggering and will be overwhelming to anyone who doesn’t have in-depth knowledge of SSL.
These certificates will cost you, too. For example, you can pay $7.95 per year for a PositiveSSL (DV) certificate, up to $2,351.22 for EnterpriseSSL Pro with EV Multi-Domain, and many other certificates. So this is not the provider to go to if you just want to quickly and cheaply make your hobby blog a bit more secure.
Key features:
- A wide range of different SSL certificate types are available, for example:
- single domain and multi-domain SSL certificates;
- wildcard SSL certificates;
- domain Validated (DV) SSL certificates;
- organization Validated (OV) SSL certificates;
- extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates;
- code Signing certificates.
Pricing: $7.95 per year up to $2,351.22 per year, depending on the certificate.
Pros:
- Dedicated provider of SSL certificates.
- Many different specific certificates.
- Can secure up to 250 websites with their multi-domain certificates.
Cons:
- Too much choice for those without in-depth knowledge of SSL.
- Not free.
- Installation service costs extra.
DigiCert
🏆 Best for large companies that need the highest security.
DigiCert is the top SSL certificate provider, trusted by commercial flights for secure communication during takeoff and landing. In addition, most of the world’s big banks use DigiCert, as do many Fortune 500 companies.
They must strongly believe in themselves, as they offer a warranty worth between $1.25 to $2 million, depending on which version you buy. But you will pay for it, as their Secure Site Pro will cost you up to $1,728.00 per year.
Key features:
- Highest authentication and brand protection.
- Secure all domains and subdomains in one certificate.
- Symmetric 256-bit encryption.
- Unlimited server licensing.
- Supports 2048-bit public key encryption.
Pricing:
- DigiCert Basic: $268 to $448 per year.
- DigiCert Secure Site: $448 to $1,118 per year.
- Secure Site Pro: $1,118.00 to $1,728.00 per year.
Pros:
- $1.25 to $2 million warranty.
- Trusted by commercial flights for secure communication during takeoff and landing.
- Used by 97% of the world’s largest banks and 89% of Fortune 500 companies.
Cons:
- Extremely expensive.
Entrust
🏆 Best for medium-sized businesses serious about web security.
Although Entrust’s SSL certificates are not free, they are not as expensive as DigiCert, and the range of certificates on offer is not as overwhelming as Comodo SSL. If your company is serious about web security but wants a self-contained SSL system with extra tools, Entrust could be precisely what you’re after.
The only possible downside is that they don’t offer DV certifications. But then again, DV certificates are perhaps not the most secure anyway, so they are probably best avoided.
Key features:
- Unlimited reissues.
- Unlimited server licenses.
- Robust reporting.
- Supports RSA and ECC.
- Extended identity validation.
- Secure unlimited subdomains.
Pricing:
- Standard OV: $199.
- Advantage OV: $239.
- Multi-Domain OV: $319.
- Multi-Domain EV: $429.
- Wildcard OV: $699.
Pros:
- Robust reporting software can help you fix security gaps and minimize downtime.
- Multi-person, multi-level expiration notifications.
- An all-in-one, self-contained SSL system with additional tools.
Cons:
- It doesn’t offer DV certificates.
- No free certificates are available.
Best WordPress SSL Plugins
Once you have an SSL certificate on your website’s domain, you may still have some issues with your website. Thankfully, there are various WordPress plugins available that can fix these issues.
Really Simple SSL
🏆 Best for fixing insecure content if you already have an SSL certificate.
Really Simple SSL does exactly what the name suggests. It is a simple way to ensure your website is fully SSL compliant. The free version does everything you need to fix insecure content on your site. However, paying for the Pro version will get you premium email support and a notification whenever your SSL certificate is about to expire.
Key features:
- Enable HSTS and submit your website to the HSTS preload list.
- Fix mixed content.
- Find the source of any mixed content that could not be automatically fixed.
- Easily implement security headers.
Pricing:
Free or Pro for $29 to $169, depending on the number of sites.
Pros:
- Quick and easy installation.
- The free version does everything you need.
- The Pro version comes with premium email support and notifies you whenever your SSL certificate is about to expire.
Cons:
- May not automatically remove old content.
WP Encryption
🏆 Best for those seeking an all-in-one SSL solution via WordPress.
Unlike some SSL WordPress plugins, the WP Encryption plugin enables you to generate and install the SSL certificate directly within the plugin. This means it is an all-in-one SSL solution for your WordPress site. However, the free version doesn’t have all the features of the Pro version, so it might not end up being a free SSL solution for you.
Key features:
- One-click site-wide HTTPS redirection.
- Install a free SSL certificate provided by Let’s Encrypt on your site.
- Check your SSL score.
- Fix insecure and mixed content.
- HSTS Strict transport security Headers.
- Email notification when SSL certificate is about to expire.
Pricing:
Free or Pro for $34.80 to $238.80 per year, depending on the number of sites.
Pros:
- All-in-one SSL solution.
- The Pro version has additional features such as automatic domain verification, automatic SSL installation, automatic SSL renewal, wildcard SSL support, multisite support, and mixed content scanner.
Cons:
- The free version doesn’t contain all features of the Pro version.
WP Force SSL & HTTPS SSL Redirect
🏆 Best for fixing insecure content if you already have an SSL certificate.
With the Pro version of this plugin, you can generate and download a Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate. Unfortunately, you cannot install the certificate using the plugin, so it’s not quite an all-in-one SSL solution if you don’t already have an SSL certificate on your domain.
The content scanner checks for mixed content, fixes it, and then regularly monitors your site to ensure it stays SSL compliant. Unfortunately, the free version doesn’t have a monitoring feature.
Key features:
- Content scanner checks for mixed content.
- SSL monitoring to keep an eye on your site’s SSL status.
- Centralized dashboard to keep track of all your licenses and sites.
Pricing:
Free, or $59 to $119, depending on the number of sites.
Pros:
- Can generate a Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate from within the plugin.
- Fixes mixed content on your site.
- Monitors your site to make sure it remains SSL compliant.
Cons:
- Doesn’t include SSL certificate installation.
- The free version doesn’t include monitoring or a content scanner.
SSL Zen
🏆 Best for those seeking an all-in-one SSL solution via WordPress.
SSL Zen is another all-in-one plugin that enables you to generate and install a Let’s Encrypt certificate on your website. With one click, you can find and fix any problem pages on your site, and if you get stuck, there is live chat support.
Unfortunately, as with other plugins, the free version is missing some of the valuable features of the Pro version, such as automatic installation and renewal of the SSL certificate and live chat support.
Key features:
- Generate and install a free Let’s Encrypt certificate.
- One-click conversion to HTTPS.
- Sends an email reminder 30 days before the expiry of the SSL certificate.
Pricing:
Free, or $29 to $49 for the Pro version.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Content scanner finds and fixes mixed content on your site.
- The Pro version comes with auto installation, auto-renewal, and live chat support.
Cons:
- The free version doesn’t install and auto-renew the SSL certificate and doesn’t include support.
Easy HTTPS Redirection (SSL)
🏆 Best for fixing insecure content if you already have an SSL certificate.
This simple free plugin is ideal for website owners who already have an SSL certificate on their domain but need to make sure all content on their site is HTTPS. It won’t generate or install the SSL certificate, so it’s not an all-in-one solution like some plugins are.
Key features:
- Auto redirect for the whole domain – every URL will automatically be redirected to its HTTPS version.
- Force load static files (images, etc.) using HTTPS.
Pros:
- Freemium.
- Easy to use.
Cons:
- Won’t generate or install the SSL certificate, so it’s not an all-in-one SSL solution.
Auto-Install Free SSL
🏆 Best for those seeking an SSL solution for WordPress.
Auto-Install Free SSL is another plugin that functions as an all-in-one solution for your SSL certificate requirements. You can generate an SSL certificate from within the plugin, and the Premium version also comes with automatic installation and renewal.
Key features:
- Generate and renew the free SSL certificate.
- It comes with a video tutorial.
- One-click force SSL.
- Automatic renewal reminder by email.
- Automatic installation and renewal in the Premium version.
Pricing:
Free or Premium version is $32.39 to $214.79, depending on the number of sites.
Pros:
- Can generate and renew free SSL certificate from within the plugin.
- Video tutorial is available that explains how to install the certificate.
- An automatic renewal reminder prevents you from having problems due to an expired certificate.
- The Premium version comes with automatic installation, renewal, and multisite support.
Cons:
- Premium version is required for automatic installation and renewal of the certificate.
FAQ
You should use HTTPS as it is more secure because any data transmitted using HTTPS is encrypted. This is particularly important with websites containing sensitive data, such as online banks, emails, or health care.
HTTP is not secure because the data sent via HTTP is not encrypted, so if a hacker were to intercept the data during transfer, they would be able to see that data in its original form.
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and an SSL certificate is a file that protects information sent between a website and the user, for example, credit card details and passwords. If a website has a valid SSL certificate, data will be encrypted before it is sent.
Having an SSL certificate means that your website will send data using the encrypted HTTPS protocol. In addition, your website will display a padlock in the address bar, which lets users know that their information is safe.
Thankfully, many web hosting companies now provide free SSL certificates for any sites hosted. However, once you have the SSL certificate, you will still need to install an SSL plugin like the one mentioned to fix any remaining insecure content on your website.
Summing Up
So, there you go. That’s my review of the best WordPress SSL plugins and best SSL certificate providers. Which you opt for really depends on the type of website you have.
For example, if you are a bank, you will probably want to go with DigiCert. Or, if you are a developer who wants lots of options, Comodo SSL might be more suitable.
However, suppose you are just running a smaller, regular website but want that added layer of security that HTTPS provides. In that case, you could probably get by with a Let’s Encrypt free SSL certificate.
Then, you can fix any remaining insecure content on your site with a free WordPress SSL plugin such as Really Simple SSL.
