Zerossl.com Reviews

Based on looking at the website, ZeroSSL.com presents itself as a robust and accessible platform for obtaining SSL certificates, with a particular emphasis on offering free 90-day certificates.

It aims to simplify the process of securing websites by providing quick validation methods and automation features, positioning itself as a strong contender in the SSL certificate market.

The platform highlights its ease of use, reliability, and widespread trust, appealing to a broad audience from individual developers to large enterprises seeking efficient and cost-effective security solutions for their online presence.

Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.

IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.

ZeroSSL.com: A Deep Dive into Its Offerings and Usability

Understanding SSL Certificates and Their Importance

An SSL Secure Sockets Layer certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts information sent to the server using SSL technology.

This encryption prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data, such as login credentials, personal information, and financial details, as it travels across the internet.

Without an SSL certificate, data is transmitted in plain text, making it vulnerable to interception by malicious entities.

ZeroSSL’s Core Value Proposition: Free 90-Day Certificates

ZeroSSL’s primary allure is its provision of free 90-day SSL certificates. This offering is particularly attractive to individuals and small businesses operating on tight budgets. Unlike traditional certificate authorities that typically charge annual fees, ZeroSSL’s free tier allows users to secure their websites without incurring direct costs. The 90-day validity period, while shorter than commercial certificates, is standard for free SSL providers like Let’s Encrypt, and ZeroSSL ensures seamless renewal processes to maintain continuous security.

This free model significantly lowers the barrier to entry for website owners who might otherwise defer or neglect SSL implementation due to cost concerns. It empowers developers and small businesses to quickly deploy secure connections, fostering a more secure internet ecosystem. The website claims “Tens of Thousands of customers create and manage their SSL certificates using ZeroSSL daily,” testifying to the widespread adoption of their free service. This high volume of users reinforces the notion that their free offering is not just a gimmick but a valuable and widely utilized solution.

Beyond Free: Paid Tiers and Advanced Features

While the free 90-day certificates are a major draw, ZeroSSL also offers paid plans that provide extended validity and enhanced features. These include:

• 1-Year Certificates: For those who prefer a longer validation period, reducing the frequency of renewal efforts.
• Wildcard Certificates: This is a crucial feature for websites with multiple subdomains. A single wildcard SSL certificate can secure your main domain and all its subdomains e.g., example.com, blog.example.com, shop.example.com, simplifying management and often proving more cost-effective than securing each subdomain individually. For businesses with complex web architectures, this is a significant advantage.
• Enhanced Support: Paid tiers typically come with priority support, which can be invaluable for businesses that require quick resolutions to technical issues.
• API Access and ACME Integrations: While available to a degree in the free tier, paid plans often provide more robust API access and better integration capabilities for large-scale automation.
• SSL Monitoring and Installation Checks: These tools help users ensure their SSL certificates are correctly installed and remain active, preventing costly downtime due to expired or misconfigured certificates.

The strategic tiered approach allows ZeroSSL to cater to a diverse clientele, from individual bloggers seeking basic security to large enterprises demanding comprehensive SSL management solutions.

This flexibility ensures that users can scale their security needs as their online presence grows.

Ease of Use and Validation Methods

One of the standout features highlighted on ZeroSSL.com is its emphasis on “Quick Validation” and a streamlined user experience. The process of obtaining and renewing SSL certificates can often be daunting for those without technical expertise. ZeroSSL addresses this by offering several user-friendly validation methods:

• One-step Email Validation: This is often the simplest method, requiring users to verify ownership of their domain by clicking a link sent to a pre-defined email address associated with the domain. It’s quick and requires minimal technical intervention.
• Server Uploads HTTP File Upload: Users can validate their domain by uploading a specific file provided by ZeroSSL to a designated directory on their web server. This method is straightforward for users with FTP or cPanel access.
• CNAME Verification: This method involves adding a specific CNAME record to the domain’s DNS settings. While it might sound more technical, many hosting providers offer intuitive interfaces for managing DNS records, making this a viable option for many.

The availability of multiple validation methods ensures that users can choose the one that best suits their technical comfort level and hosting environment. This flexibility is a significant positive, as it reduces friction in the certificate issuance process, contributing to ZeroSSL’s claim of securing sites “in under 5 minutes.” Dsasolar.co.uk Reviews

Automation through ACME Integrations and REST API

For developers, system administrators, and businesses managing numerous websites, manual SSL certificate management can be a time-consuming and error-prone process. ZeroSSL tackles this challenge head-on by offering ACME Automated Certificate Management Environment integrations and a fully-fledged REST API.

• ACME Integrations: ZeroSSL partners with major ACME providers, allowing users to “manage and renew existing certificates without ever lifting a finger.” ACME is a protocol designed for automating the interactions between certificate authorities and web servers, enabling automatic certificate issuance, renewal, and revocation. This feature is particularly beneficial for continuous integration/continuous deployment CI/CD pipelines and server automation.
• SSL REST API: The availability of a comprehensive REST API empowers developers to integrate ZeroSSL’s services directly into their applications, scripts, and infrastructure. The API supports various operations, including certificate issuance, CSR validation, and renewal management. This level of programmatic control means that large organizations can implement entirely automated SSL workflows, saving significant time and resources. “Save time and money by automating SSL certificate management using the ZeroSSL REST API,” the website states, highlighting the efficiency gains this offers. This is crucial for maintaining security at scale, especially given the 90-day renewal cycle of free certificates.

The emphasis on automation demonstrates ZeroSSL’s commitment to supporting developers and organizations with complex needs, positioning it as a scalable solution for modern web infrastructure.

Reliability and Trust: “Trusted Certificate Authority”

ZeroSSL positions itself as a “Trusted Certificate Authority,” emphasizing its reliability and the trust it has garnered from millions of customers. The website prominently displays badges of trust, including a Trustpilot rating though the specific rating isn’t displayed, implying it’s positive and claims like “5+ Million Monthly Certificates” and “2+ Million Clients Trust ZeroSSL.”

The trust factor is paramount when it comes to SSL certificates. Users need assurance that the certificates issued are legitimate and widely recognized by all major web browsers. ZeroSSL claims “99.9% Browser Coverage,” which is a critical metric. It means that certificates issued by ZeroSSL are trusted by virtually all web browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc., preventing annoying security warnings for website visitors.

The website also mentions being “Trusted by Leading Companies” and supporting “Developers, startups and Fortune 500 companies alike.” While specific names aren’t provided on the homepage, these claims suggest a broad appeal across different industry verticals and company sizes. For a certificate authority, a strong reputation for reliability and widespread browser compatibility is non-negotiable, and ZeroSSL appears to address these concerns head-on.

Comparison with Alternatives: ZeroSSL vs. Let’s Encrypt and Old-School CAs

ZeroSSL directly invites comparison with its competitors, stating, “Explore ZeroSSL Discover all features and learn why ZeroSSL is a better alternative to both Let’s Encrypt and old-school SSL companies.” This bold claim warrants closer examination:

ZeroSSL vs. Let’s Encrypt

Let’s Encrypt is another popular non-profit certificate authority that provides free SSL certificates.

Both ZeroSSL and Let’s Encrypt offer 90-day certificates and rely heavily on ACME for automation.

However, ZeroSSL attempts to differentiate itself in several ways:

• User Interface: Many users find ZeroSSL’s web interface more intuitive and user-friendly, especially for those who prefer a GUI-based approach over command-line tools which are often the primary way to interact with Let’s Encrypt via Certbot. This can be a significant advantage for less technically savvy users.
• Validation Methods: While both offer various methods, ZeroSSL often highlights its “one-step email validation” as particularly convenient.
• Commercial Offerings: ZeroSSL has a clear business model with paid tiers offering 1-year certificates and wildcard options, something Let’s Encrypt does not directly provide though community-driven solutions exist. This makes ZeroSSL a more comprehensive solution for businesses looking for both free and paid options from a single provider.
• Direct API Access: ZeroSSL’s dedicated REST API might offer more flexibility for custom integrations compared to relying solely on ACME clients.

For some users, the choice boils down to convenience and the availability of direct support and extended features that a commercial entity like ZeroSSL can offer. Speedydecal.com Reviews

ZeroSSL vs. “Old-School SSL Companies”

“Old-school SSL companies” typically refer to traditional certificate authorities that primarily offer paid SSL certificates, often at higher price points and with more complex manual processes.

ZeroSSL positions itself as a superior alternative by offering:

• Cost-Effectiveness: The free 90-day certificates are a direct challenge to the often expensive annual subscriptions of traditional CAs.
• Speed and Simplicity: ZeroSSL aims to issue certificates in minutes with simplified validation methods, a stark contrast to potentially lengthier and more complex manual validation processes of some older providers.
• Automation: The robust API and ACME integrations mean that certificate management can be largely automated, reducing the administrative overhead often associated with traditional SSL.
• Modern Approach: ZeroSSL represents a shift towards a more developer-friendly, automated, and cost-efficient model of SSL provision, aligning with the agile demands of modern web development.

In essence, ZeroSSL is leveraging its modern infrastructure and business model to disrupt the traditional SSL market, offering a compelling blend of affordability, ease of use, and advanced automation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ZeroSSL.com a legitimate and trusted certificate authority?

Yes, based on checking the website, ZeroSSL.com presents itself as a legitimate and trusted certificate authority, stating it is “Trusted by Millions of Customers” and issues “5+ Million Monthly Certificates,” with “99.9% Browser Coverage.”

How much do SSL certificates from ZeroSSL.com cost?

ZeroSSL.com offers free 90-day SSL certificates.

They also provide paid plans for 1-year certificates and wildcard certificates, though specific pricing details are not explicitly listed on the homepage and would require further exploration of their pricing page.

What types of SSL certificates does ZeroSSL.com offer?

ZeroSSL.com offers 90-day certificates free, 1-year certificates paid, and Wildcard Certificates paid, which can secure multiple subdomains under a single certificate.

How quickly can I get an SSL certificate from ZeroSSL.com?

ZeroSSL.com claims you can get full protection for any domain or website in “under 5 minutes” due to their quick validation processes.

What validation methods does ZeroSSL.com support?

ZeroSSL.com supports one-step email validation, server uploads HTTP file upload, and CNAME verification for domain ownership validation.

Does ZeroSSL.com offer automation for SSL certificate management?

Yes, ZeroSSL.com strongly emphasizes automation through its ACME Automated Certificate Management Environment integrations and a fully-fledged REST API for issuing, renewing, and managing certificates. Hashhedge.com Reviews

Is ZeroSSL.com compatible with all web browsers?

ZeroSSL.com states it provides “99.9% Browser Coverage,” meaning its certificates are trusted by virtually all major web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

How does ZeroSSL.com compare to Let’s Encrypt?

ZeroSSL.com positions itself as an alternative to Let’s Encrypt, offering a potentially more user-friendly web interface, additional paid features like 1-year and wildcard certificates, and direct API access alongside ACME integrations.

Can I secure multiple subdomains with a single ZeroSSL.com certificate?

Yes, ZeroSSL.com offers Wildcard Certificates in its paid plans, which allow you to secure a main domain and all its subdomains with a single certificate.

What is the validity period for free SSL certificates from ZeroSSL.com?

Free SSL certificates from ZeroSSL.com are valid for 90 days.

How do I renew an SSL certificate with ZeroSSL.com?

ZeroSSL.com supports automated renewal through ACME integrations and its REST API, allowing for seamless certificate updates without manual intervention.

Does ZeroSSL.com offer support for its users?

While not explicitly detailed on the homepage for all tiers, typically, paid plans include enhanced support.

The platform aims to be user-friendly, suggesting minimal need for extensive support for basic usage.

Is ZeroSSL.com suitable for developers?

Yes, the website states “Built with developers in mind,” offering a REST API supporting all major programming languages and ACME integrations for automated SSL management.

Can ZeroSSL.com be used for e-commerce websites?

Yes, ZeroSSL.com provides standard SSL encryption, which is essential for securing e-commerce websites, protecting customer data, and building trust.

Are there any limitations to the free ZeroSSL.com certificate?

The primary limitation of the free ZeroSSL.com certificate is its 90-day validity period, requiring more frequent renewals compared to annual certificates. Ergobaby.co.uk Reviews

What is the role of the ZeroSSL REST API?

The ZeroSSL REST API allows developers to automate SSL certificate management, including issuance, CSR validation, and renewal, directly within their applications and systems.

Does ZeroSSL.com offer SSL monitoring?

Yes, ZeroSSL.com lists “SSL Monitoring” as one of its features, which helps users keep track of their certificate status and prevent expirations.

How does ZeroSSL.com handle Certificate Signing Requests CSRs?

ZeroSSL.com’s platform and API support CSR validation during the certificate issuance process, ensuring that requests are correctly formatted and secure.

Is ZeroSSL.com a good alternative to traditional paid SSL providers?

ZeroSSL.com positions itself as a “better alternative to both Let’s Encrypt and old-school SSL companies” by offering a blend of free options, ease of use, and advanced automation, potentially saving users time and money compared to traditional providers.

Does ZeroSSL.com provide installation checks?

Yes, “Installation Checks” are listed as one of the SSL security tools provided by ZeroSSL.com, which can help users verify if their SSL certificate is correctly installed and functioning.