There’s a lot of chit chat among the people and experts alike regarding the Wildcard Vs Let’s encrypt. Many people believe Let’s encrypt SSL is better as it offers free services and thus lower running costs. However, others think Wildcard SSL better than Let’s encrypt SSL due to security features. However, we will here explain what is Wildcard SSL and why it a better choice for your online website and business.
Wildcard SSL VS Let’s Encrypt SSL
Main Difference
Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate covers the encryption for a single domain. However, a single-domain SSL certificate covers all three validation levels, including the EV and others.
A Wildcard certificate is a kind of digital certificate that is useful for a domain and all of the associated subdomains. The code or a serial number of the wildcard certificate contains an asterisk along with a period at the start of the domain name. As this kind of certificate is useful for domains and subdomains alike, therefore, Secure Sockets Layer or SSL certificates normally use a wildcard to expand the SSL encryption to any number of subdomains. On the other hand, certificates like the Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate is only good for a single domain.
For example, the Let’s encrypt is useful only for www.mydomain.com. However, the wildcard is not only useful for *.mydomain.com but also mail.mydomain.com, vpn.mydomain.com, etc.
Expanding the single certificate like the wildcard to subdomains instead of buying dedicated certificates reduces the cost significantly. Similarly, managing a single certificate is easy for the management. But, it has a drawback as well; in case you remove the certificate from one domain/subdomain, the SSL certificate removes it from all other subdomains as well. Similarly, if the security of one domain is compromised, the security of all associated domains also at stake.
Purchasing separate certificates may cost a bit more and require more administration. But, it also ensures that each subdomain is individually protected.
Free VS Paid SSL Certificate
We consider the best things in life that are free. This may be true for other things, but not for sensitive security matters like the SSL certificates. Coming to the point, the Wildcard SSL is available only in the paid version. However, Let’s Encrypt offers free SSL certificates. For the layman, the free should be best, but there are various strings attached with the free version that makes it less suitable for online websites and businesses.
Remember there is no free lunch in the practical world. This means, if you are getting something free, you have to pay the price in some other ways. In this case, it is security and privacy at stake when you rely on free SSL. The matters will become clear in the next portion of this topic.
Wildcard SSL vs Let’s Encrypt SSL: Who Are the Players?
When it comes to free SSL, Let’s encrypt the top CA which offers this type of SSL. According to them, their free SSL is free, automatic, and a kind of open and fair certificate for the benefit of the common people. They aim to promote online privacy and security of the websites.
At first look, this mission looks very noble; isn’t it? However, with little research, other aspects that do not guarantee safety and quality of service emerge. It is right that Let’s Encrypt also provides Wildcard which is again free of cost. There are many pain versions of wildcard SSL that are very low cost but also offer greater security and privacy. These paid wildcard SSLs are offered by the trusted CAs. These CAs include the likes of RapidSSL and Comodo CAs. These brands are in this field for years and have won the trust of customers.
The Reasons Wildcard SSL better than Let’s Encrypt SSL
There is no doubt that free i.e. the Let’s Encrypt is appealing but as we described earlier you’re going to pay in some other ways. Let’s have a look at why you should choose paid Wildcard and not the Let’s Encrypt SSL.
Support — Let’s Encrypt doesn’t offer any kind of suitable customer support and service. For this reason, you can’t get any support in case of issues with installation and management. However other CAs that offer Wildcard, also offer support to resolve the issues.
Liability Protection —Free SSL like the Let’s Encrypt comes with no liability protection. The purpose of this liability protection is to secure you financially when your data breach happens in case of CA failure. In the case of Wildcard, you will get liability protection depending on the amount of your warranty.
Cybercrime — Next problem with Let’s Encrypt free SSL is the intensity of cybercrime. Cybercriminals use dirty tricks to get private data through phishing. The free SSLs are an easy target for them as they offer no to minimum security. With wildcard SSL, you can get the ultimate security that protects you from most of these cyber-attacks.
Besides this, there are various other reasons to choose Comodo PositiveSSL Wildcard Certificate over Let’s Encrypt SSL. Some of the more reasons are as follows:
- Free Certificates come with Basic Authentication only. The Wildcard SSL comes with proper authentication.
- Only the trusted and well-known brands like the Comodo CA and RapidSSL offer wildcard SSLs.
- Wildcard SSL has a higher label of trust among the customers with OV and EV.
- 24/7 support with the help of email, phone, or web chat in case of wildcard SSL only.
- Wildcard SSL comes with a money back guarantee, but Let’s Encrypt free SSL doesn’t.
- Paid Wildcard comes with Mechanisms to avoid issuance to phishing websites.
Seeing these benefits, it is very much clear that Wildcard SSL offers plenty of benefits compared with the Let’s Encrypt SSLs.
The Final Words
As saying goes, there are no free lunches in business. The same is true for SSL certificates that protect your websites. There is an ongoing debate regarding the Wildcard SSL vs Let’s Encrypt. Some argue free Let’s encrypt is better is it reduces the cost of business. However, saving a little amount can pose serious threats to privacy and online security. There are various reasons to choose the Wildcard over free Let’s Encrypt SSL. Some of these reasons include higher support, liability protection, protection from cybercrimes, and security in more than one domain at a time. All these reasons make Wildcard SSL better than Let’s Encrypt SSL.