EV SSL vs Standard SSL Certificates: Which Is Best for My Site?

How to choose between standard SSL certificates vs EV SSL certificates

You’ve got a website, and you want the best SSL certificate for it. Great! But now you’ve got to choose from all the different certificate options on the market. Which is better: standard SSL or EV SSL? Let’s dive into the details EV SSL vs SSL (standard) certificates!

What is a Standard SSL Certificate?

There’s not a precise definition for “standard SSL” but most people mean a single domain, domain validated (DV) SSL certificate. A great example is the RapidSSL Certificate — one of the most popular certificates on the web. So that’s the definition we’ll use in this article.

What is an EV SSL Certificate?

EV stands for extended validation. This means that the certificate authority has completed an extended validation process, where they check and verify your company details, phone number, etc. It’s a higher bar, and higher assurance than a standard SSL certificate.

EV vs Standard SSL: Visual Display

While both standard and EV SSL certificates activate the padlock on most browsers, EV SSL certificates also activated enhanced displays that will show users your verified company details. For example, here’s how it displays in Firefox:

This is a great way to show your users that you’ve gone the extra mile in protecting their privacy and security online!

EV vs Standard SSL: Issuance Speed

It typically takes one to five days to complete EV validation and get your EV SSL certificate issued. A standard (DV) SSL certificate, on the other hand, can be issued in just a few minutes.

EV vs Standard SSL: Trust

EV SSL certificates enhance user trust by providing verified company details for your website. In the age of rampant phishing, scammers, and fake companies online, EV SSL gives that added layer of trust so your customers can be confident in who they’re dealing with.

Your customers won’t have to wonder if the website they’re looking at is for the company they think it is — they can check the verified company details shown in their browser!

EV vs Standard SSL: Price

If you’re looking for the lowest priced SSL certificate, you’ll find that prices for standard SSL certificates are a bit cheaper. EV SSL certificates are a bit higher in price, but they’re still affordable — even for a small business.

EV vs Standard SSL: Our Recommendations

• If you’re in a hurry or want the lowest possible price, go for a standard SSL such as RapidSSL.
• If you want to maximize trust and show your customers that you’re serious about security, choose an EV such as GeoTrust True BusinessID with EV.
• If your website is in ecommerce, finance, healthcare, or another sensitive industry, choose EV such as GeoTrust True BusinessID with EV.