DigiCert vs ZeroSSL
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
DigiCert is a commercial certificate authority that issues TLS/SSL, code signing, and private PKI certificates for enterprises. With a strong focus on security and trust, DigiCert provides a range of certificate solutions to help organizations protect their online presence and data. From securing websites and web applications to protecting software and IoT devices, DigiCert's certificates are designed to meet the evolving security needs of modern enterprises.
ZeroSSL is a certificate authority that issues X.509 certificates using the ACME protocol, offering both free domain-validated certificates and paid options with extended validation and wildcard support. It provides a web dashboard for manual issuance and an API for automated workflows. The service integrates with popular automation tools, supports RSA and ECC keys, and offers enterprise-grade features such as dedicated support and SLA-backed issuance for large-scale deployments.
- Trusted and reputable certificate authority
- Wide range of certificate solutions for different use cases
- Automated certificate management and deployment
- Real-time certificate monitoring and alerts
- Free tier provides fully functional DV certificates.
- Supports ACME standard, compatible with existing tooling.
- Wildcard and extended-validation options available.
- Simple web dashboard for manual issuance.
- Paid subscription model may not be suitable for small businesses or individuals
- Limited free trial or evaluation period
- Certificate issuance process can be complex and time-consuming
- Limited rate limits on the free tier.
- Paid plans require subscription and may be pricey for small sites.
- No built-in CDN or hosting services.
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View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataZeroSSL is the cost‑effective choice for developers and small sites with free DV certificates, while DigiCert offers enterprise‑grade trust, SLA and global datacenter coverage for larger organizations.
Key differences
- •Pricing model – ZeroSSL offers a free tier; DigiCert requires a paid subscription.
- •SLA and uptime – DigiCert guarantees 99.99% uptime; ZeroSSL provides no SLA information.
- •Geographic coverage – DigiCert lists US, EU, APAC datacenters; ZeroSSL’s regions are not specified.
- •Developer tooling – ZeroSSL supports ACME, API access and a self‑service dashboard; DigiCert focuses on automated management but lacks ACME detail.
- •Certificate types – DigiCert includes EV, private PKI, and multi‑domain options; ZeroSSL offers DV, wildcard and optional EV in paid plans.
Pricing & value
ZeroSSL provides a free tier for DV certificates; DigiCert has no free option and requires subscription.
Uptime & reliability
DigiCert specifies a 99.99% uptime SLA; ZeroSSL does not disclose an SLA.
Performance
No performance metrics are provided for either product.
Developer experience
ZeroSSL supports ACME, API integration and a web dashboard; DigiCert’s dev‑focused tooling is not detailed.
Regions & compliance
DigiCert lists datacenter regions (US, EU, APAC); ZeroSSL gives no regional information.
Support
DigiCert targets enterprises with paid subscription support; ZeroSSL’s enterprise support is optional and not detailed.
Lock‑in
Both use standard TLS/SSL certificates; no specific lock‑in details are provided.
Choose DigiCert if…
Enterprises needing SLA guarantees, global coverage, and advanced certificate types (EV, private PKI).
Choose ZeroSSL if…
Developers or small businesses wanting free DV certificates and easy ACME integration.
Common questions
Can I get a free SSL certificate with DigiCert?
No, DigiCert does not offer a free tier.
Does ZeroSSL provide an uptime SLA?
ZeroSSL does not specify an uptime SLA in the provided information.
Which service supports ACME for automated issuance?
ZeroSSL supports the ACME standard; DigiCert’s ACME support is not mentioned.