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Let's Encrypt SSL vs. Traditional CA-issued Certificates

This article discusses the differences between certificates provided by Let's Encrypt SSL and those provided by traditional CA (certificate authority) providers.

Please note that A2 Hosting, in order to provide consistent and reliable user experience, is switching from Let’s Encrypt to Sectigo for all newly provisioned accounts. Existing accounts will also make the change to Sectigo certificates sometime in the near future. The certificates are equal in terms of trust level, validity, and how they are used. You should see no impact on your site, and the only difference is that the padlock in your browser will now say “cPanel Cert Issued by Sectigo” instead of “Let’s Encrypt."

What Is Let's Encrypt SSL?

The Let's Encrypt initiative makes creating and installing SSL certificates a simple task. They are also free, so you may ask yourself, “why would I ever pay for an SSL certificate from another provider?”

Although Let's Encrypt SSL certificates provide basic SSL encryption, they lack many of the benefits of certificates issued by established CA (certificate authority) SSL providers, including:

  • Extended validity: Let's Encrypt SSL certificates are only valid for 90 days and must be renewed frequently. By contrast, most traditional SSL certificates are valid for at least one year, with the option of longer validity periods (for example, three years).
  • Warranty: Let's Encrypt certificates do not include a warranty, whereas traditional SSL certificates usually do.
  • Support: Let's Encrypt SSL does not have staff available to assist with creating or installing SSL certificates. This can be an issue for professionals and business owners who must quickly get a site configured and working. For example, GlobalSign has a network of trained personnel who provide support through online ticketing, chat, and telephone.
  • Customer vetting: Let's Encrypt SSL uses basic domain-based vetting (the ACME protocol) to issue SSL certificates. Traditional CA providers use additional vetting procedures to help verify that customers actually are who they claim to be.

  • SSL certificate options: Let's Encrypt SSL only offers domain-validated certificates (DV). If you need the extra security of an extended validation certificate (EV) for your site, you must purchase one from a traditional CA provider. Additionally, Let's Encrypt SSL does not offer wildcard or multi-domain certificates.

    To view SSL certificate options at A2 Hosting, please visit https://www.a2hosting.com/ssl-certificates.
  • Introduction to SSL

    What is SSL, and why would I use it? If you have never worked with SSL certificates before, we recommend you start here.