What Is the Difference Between SSL Certificate Types?

All SSL certificates encrypt the connection between your site and your visitors, but they differ in how much the certificate authority verifies your identity. Here's a breakdown of the main types available at dotCanada.

Domain Validated (DV)

DV certificates are the most common and quickest to issue. The CA only verifies that you control the domain - no business verification is required. Let's Encrypt certificates are DV certificates. They're perfect for blogs, portfolios, and informational sites.

Organization Validated (OV)

OV certificates require the CA to verify your organization's identity, including its legal name and location. This provides a higher level of trust and is a good fit for business websites and membership sites where users need to know they're dealing with a real company.

Extended Validation (EV)

EV certificates go through the most rigorous vetting process. They were traditionally associated with the green address bar in older browsers, and they're still considered the gold standard for e-commerce and financial websites. Visitors can view your verified organization name in the certificate details.

Wildcard Certificates

A wildcard certificate (e.g., *.yourdomain.com) covers your root domain and an unlimited number of subdomains with a single certificate. It's ideal if you run multiple subdomains like shop.yourdomain.com, blog.yourdomain.com, and app.yourdomain.com.

Which Should You Choose?

• Personal sites / blogs: Free Let's Encrypt (DV) is perfect.
• Business / e-commerce: OV or EV for maximum visitor trust.
• Multiple subdomains: Wildcard certificate.

Not sure which is right for you? Contact our support team and we'll recommend the best fit.