Let's Encrypt vs Sectigo
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Let's Encrypt is a free, automated certificate authority that issues domain-validated TLS certificates. It provides a simple and secure way to obtain SSL/TLS certificates, which are essential for encrypting online communications and protecting sensitive data.
Sectigo is a commercial Certificate Authority that issues TLS/SSL certificates, code signing certificates, and provides a full certificate lifecycle management platform. It supports DV, OV, EV, wildcard, and multi‑domain certificates trusted by all major browsers and operating systems. The platform offers automated provisioning via ACME and REST APIs, a centralized dashboard for monitoring and revocation, and compliance reporting tools for enterprises, MSPs, and developers who need robust PKI solutions.
- Free SSL/TLS certificates
- Automated issuance process
- Easy to integrate with popular web servers and platforms
- Meets industry standards for security and encryption
- Broad range of certificate types
- High assurance validation levels
- Global trust roots recognized by browsers
- Robust API for automation
- Limited to domain-validated certificates
- No support for organization-validated or extended-validation certificates
- No phone or email support available
- Higher cost compared to free CAs
- Complex pricing requires contact
- Support response times vary by plan
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View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataSectigo offers paid, enterprise‑grade certificates (including OV/EV and code signing) with robust management APIs, while Let’s Encrypt provides free, automated DV certificates only.
Key differences
- •Validation levels: Sectigo supports DV, OV, EV and code signing; Let’s Encrypt only DV.
- •Cost model: Sectigo requires a subscription fee; Let’s Encrypt is free.
- •Certificate types: Sectigo offers wildcard, SAN (up to 100 names), and code‑signing certificates; Let’s Encrypt offers wildcard and SAN but no code signing.
- •Support: Sectigo provides tiered support (response times vary); Let’s Encrypt offers no phone/email support.
- •Enterprise features: Sectigo includes a centralized dashboard and API for lifecycle management; Let’s Encrypt relies on community tools.
Pricing & value
Let’s Encrypt is free; Sectigo requires a paid subscription.
Uptime & reliability
Both operate globally with no specific uptime data provided.
Performance
No performance metrics are given for either product.
Developer experience
Sectigo offers a robust API and ACME integration plus a dashboard; Let’s Encrypt relies on community ACME tools.
Regions & compliance
Sectigo lists global datacenter regions and enterprise trust roots; Let’s Encrypt provides no region/compliance details.
Support
Sectigo provides tiered support (though response times vary); Let’s Encrypt has no phone/email support.
Lock‑in
Let’s Encrypt uses standard ACME protocol, making migration easy; Sectigo’s proprietary management may increase lock‑in.
Choose Let's Encrypt if…
Small sites or apps that only need free DV certificates and automation.
Choose Sectigo if…
Enterprises needing OV/EV, code signing, or dedicated support.
Common questions
Can I get an EV certificate from Let’s Encrypt?
No, Let’s Encrypt only issues domain‑validated certificates.
Is there any cost to use Sectigo?
Yes, Sectigo is a paid subscription service; pricing details are not disclosed.
What support options are available?
Sectigo offers tiered support (response times vary); Let’s Encrypt provides no phone or email support.