Domain Validated (DV) Certificates
An easy and affordable way to protect your site
Domain Validated (DV) certificates are a fast and simple way to secure your website with industry-standard 128- or 256-bit encryption. The process of obtaining one of these SSL certificates couldn't be easier and is usually handled with just a standard email. A file-based authentication method can also be used and is recommended if you have direct access to the server that hosts your domain name.
Single Domain Certificates
A single domain certificate will secure just one unique domain name, like www.yourdomain.com. If you need to secure additional subdomains, you either need to purchase multiple certificates or a Wildcard certificate (see Wildcard Domain Certificates section below).
| Certificate Name | Brand | Seal | Warranty | Issuance | Price* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comodo PositiveSSL |  |
 |
$10,000 | Minutes | $8 |  |
| Comodo Essential SSL | |
 |
$10,000 | Minutes | $17 | |
| GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium |  |
 |
$500,000 | Minutes | $55 | |
| RapidSSL |  |
 |
$10,000 | Minutes | $10 | |
| Thawte SSL123 |  |
 |
$500,000 | Minutes | $29 | |
Comparison of Domain Validated (DV) Single Certificates
From the comparison above, you find that the biggest difference between a low cost and premium DV certificate is the warranty amount. Warranty is an insurance for an end user against loss of money when submitting a payment on an SSL-secured site.
Wildcard Domain Certificates
If your company has multiple subdomains (*.domain.com), a great option is to purchase a Wildcard Certificate. A single certificate allows you to secure an unlimited number of subdomains - easier to maintain than a certificate for every subdomain and often less expensive.
| Certificate Name | Brand | Seal | Warranty | Issuance | Price* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comodo PositiveSSL Wildcard | |
|
$10,000 | Minutes | $70 | |
| Comodo EssentialSSL Wildcard | |
|
$10,000 | Minutes | $75 | |
| RapidSSL Wildcard |
|
|
$10,000 | Minutes | $100 | |
| Thawte SSL123 Wildcard |
|
|
$500,000 | Minutes | $170 | |
Comparison of Domain Validated (DV) Wildcard Certificates
In order to receive a DV certificate from one of our trusted Certification Authorities (CAs), all you have to do is prove that you own the domain that you wish to protect. Since no extensive validation process is required, DV certificates are the most affordable type of SSL that there are.
One thing that's important to remember is that DV certificates offer the same level of protection as other, more expensive SSL products. DV certificates are really a nuts-and-bolts SSL offering, focused solely on encryption. What makes OV and EV certificates the more premium solutions, is that they bolster a website's trust, along with offering first-rate encryption technology.
