Types of SSL Certificates: Explained for Beginners

messi62

If you care about your website's security, SEO, and trust, you need the right SSL certificate. Not all SSL certificates are created equal, and choosing the wrong one can leave you vulnerable.

In this guide, we'll look at the types of SSL certificates that can protect your site and increase trust in your brand. Choose wisely, and your site will be more secure and reliable than ever.

Table of contents

Types of SSL certificates by validation level
Types of SSL certificates depending on the number of domains and subdomains
Other specialized types of SSL certificates
How to Choose the Right SSL Certificate for Your Website
Types of SSL certificates by validation level
SSL certificates can be categorized based on how they are verified. The verification level determines the extent to which the certificate authority (CA) verifies your information, which in turn affects the level of trust in your site.

1. Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificates
Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificates are the most basic type of SSL. The certificate authority only verifies that the applicant owns the domain, without requiring any additional information about the business. This makes them the cheapest and fastest type of SSL you can purchase.

Pros : Fast issuance (within a few minutes), low cost, easy to obtain.
Cons : Limited trust; visitors will not see business information on the certificate.
Best suited for : Personal blogs, small websites, and other non-commercial sites.
For small businesses or personal projects, DV SSL mobile app development service certificates offer a simple and affordable way to secure your site with HTTPS and a recognizable lock icon.

Useful links :

Learn more about Domain Validation Certificates
Get Domain Validation Certificates from SSL Dragon
2. Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates
Organization Validation (OV) SSL certificates go one step further than DV certificates. The CA verifies that the organization actually exists by checking business information such as registration and address. This process provides a higher level of trust than DV SSL.




Pros : Moderate level of trust, displays business information on the certificate.
Cons : Longer issuance time (usually 1-3 days), higher cost compared to DV SSL.
Best suited for : Medium-sized businesses, eCommerce sites and commercial sites.
By using OV SSL, companies can reassure their customers that the site is operated by a legitimate organization, which can increase user trust and reduce bounce rates.

Useful links :

Learn more about Organization Validation Certificates
Get Organization Validation Certificates from SSL Dragon
3. Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates
Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates provide the highest level of verification. The certificate authority performs a thorough check of the legal, physical, and work status of the applicant. Sites using EV SSL certificates display the company name in the address bar, next to a padlock, creating a sense of security.

Pros : Highest level of trust, company name visible in browser bar, best for high value transactions.
Cons : Expensive, long confirmation process (up to a week).
Best suited for : E-commerce, banking, financial services and any sites that handle sensitive information.
Using an EV SSL certificate signals to users that your site takes security seriously, making it ideal for industries where trust and data protection are critical.