ComodoSSL vs OpenSSL: What are the differences?

## Introduction:
ComodoSSL and OpenSSL are two popular security solutions used for securing websites and communications. While both serve the same purpose, there are key differences between the two that set them apart.

1. **Licensing**: One significant difference between ComodoSSL and OpenSSL is their licensing. ComodoSSL is a commercial product with specific pricing plans, whereas OpenSSL is an open-source project that is available for free. This distinction can impact the overall cost and support options available for users.

2. **Certificate Authority**: ComodoSSL is provided by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) known as Comodo, which offers a range of SSL/TLS certificates for various purposes. On the other hand, OpenSSL is a software library that enables SSL/TLS encryption but does not issue certificates itself. Users must obtain certificates from a CA separately when using OpenSSL.

3. **Popularity**: OpenSSL is widely adopted and used across various platforms and applications due to its open-source nature and versatility. In contrast, while ComodoSSL is popular among some users and enterprises, it may not have the same level of widespread usage as OpenSSL.

4. **Support and Updates**: ComodoSSL typically comes with commercial support and regular updates from the vendor, offering users assistance in implementing and troubleshooting SSL/TLS security. OpenSSL, being open-source, relies on community support for updates and may not have the same level of dedicated support as a commercial product.

5. **Features and Integration**: ComodoSSL may offer additional features and services beyond basic SSL/TLS encryption, such as vulnerability scanning, PCI compliance tools, and site seals. In comparison, OpenSSL primarily focuses on providing encryption libraries and tools for developers to integrate into their applications.

6. **Validation Levels**: ComodoSSL provides different levels of validation options, such as Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV) certificates, allowing users to choose the level of verification needed for their websites. OpenSSL does not handle validation directly but can be used with any type of certificate obtained from a CA.

In Summary, ComodoSSL and OpenSSL differ in terms of licensing, certificate authority, popularity, support, features, and validation levels, shaping the user experience and capabilities of each solution.