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GoDaddy

545
492
+ 1
11
Let's Encrypt

1.7K
967
+ 1
98
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GoDaddy vs Let's Encrypt: What are the differences?

Introduction

This Markdown code provides a comparison between GoDaddy and Let's Encrypt, highlighting their key differences.

  1. 1. Certificate Authorities (CA) and Validations: GoDaddy is a commercial Certificate Authority that offers a wide range of SSL certificate options. They conduct extensive validations to ensure the authenticity of the website owners. On the other hand, Let's Encrypt is a non-profit Certificate Authority that provides free SSL/TLS certificates. Let's Encrypt uses automated validation methods to verify the domain ownership, making it easier and faster for users to obtain certificates.

  2. 2. Pricing and Cost: GoDaddy offers SSL certificates at a cost, with different pricing plans depending on the level of validation and features required. The cost varies based on the certificate type and duration. In contrast, Let's Encrypt offers SSL certificates completely free of charge. This makes Let's Encrypt a more budget-friendly option for individuals and organizations with limited financial resources.

  3. 3. Wildcard Certificates: GoDaddy offers wildcard certificates, which can secure multiple subdomains with a single certificate. This is especially useful for websites with a large number of subdomains. Let's Encrypt, however, does not provide wildcard certificates. Users need to obtain separate certificates for each subdomain they want to secure, which can be more time-consuming and complex.

  4. 4. Certificate Expiration: GoDaddy SSL certificates have a longer validity period, usually ranging from 1 to 2 years, depending on the certificate type chosen. In contrast, Let's Encrypt certificates have a shorter validity period of 90 days. Users need to renew Let's Encrypt certificates more frequently to ensure the continued security of their websites.

  5. 5. Integration and Automation: GoDaddy provides seamless integration and automation with its own hosting and website management platform, making it easier for users to manage their SSL certificates within the GoDaddy ecosystem. Let's Encrypt emphasizes automation and provides support for various software clients and plugins, allowing users to easily obtain, renew, and manage certificates on different hosting platforms or servers.

  6. 6. Trust Level: GoDaddy is a well-established and widely recognized Certificate Authority, offering certificates that are trusted by all major web browsers. Let's Encrypt, although it has gained popularity, may not be immediately trusted by some older web browsers. However, Let's Encrypt certificates can still be trusted after the user manually installs the Let's Encrypt Root Certificate.

In Summary, GoDaddy is a commercial CA with extensive validations and a variety of SSL certificate options but comes at a cost. Let's Encrypt is a non-profit CA that provides free certificates with automated validation, limited wildcard support, shorter validity period, and broad platform integration but may require additional trust installation.

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Pros of GoDaddy
Pros of Let's Encrypt
  • 8
    Flexible payment methods for domains
  • 3
    .io support
  • 48
    Open Source SSL
  • 32
    Simple setup
  • 9
    Free
  • 9
    Microservices
  • 0
    Easy ssl certificates

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Cons of GoDaddy
Cons of Let's Encrypt
  • 2
    Constantly trying to upsell you
  • 1
    Not a great UI
    Be the first to leave a con

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    What is GoDaddy?

    Go Daddy makes registering Domain Names fast, simple, and affordable. It is a trusted domain registrar that empowers people with creative ideas to succeed online.

    What is Let's Encrypt?

    It is a free, automated, and open certificate authority brought to you by the non-profit Internet Security Research Group (ISRG).

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    What companies use GoDaddy?
    What companies use Let's Encrypt?
    See which teams inside your own company are using GoDaddy or Let's Encrypt.
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    What tools integrate with GoDaddy?
    What tools integrate with Let's Encrypt?

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    What are some alternatives to GoDaddy and Let's Encrypt?
    Wix
    Creating your stunning website for free is easier than ever. No tech skills needed. Just pick a template, change anything you want, add your images, videos, text and more to get online instantly.
    Squarespace
    Whether you need simple pages, sophisticated galleries, a professional blog, or want to sell online, it all comes standard with your Squarespace website. Squarespace starts you with beautiful designs right out of the box — each handcrafted by our award-winning design team to make your content stand out.
    Namecheap
    We provide a set of DNS servers spread across the US and Europe to deliver highly reliable DNS services to everyone. By choosing Namecheap.com as your domain registrar, you are choosing a highly reputable and reliable partner. Namecheap.com is rated 4.6 out of 5 - Based on 1,395 reviews via Google Checkout
    WordPress
    The core software is built by hundreds of community volunteers, and when you’re ready for more there are thousands of plugins and themes available to transform your site into almost anything you can imagine. Over 60 million people have chosen WordPress to power the place on the web they call “home” — we’d love you to join the family.
    Shopify
    Shopify powers tens of thousands of online retailers including General Electric, Amnesty International, CrossFit, Tesla Motors, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Foo Fighters, GitHub, and more. Our platform allows users to easily and quickly create their own online store without all the technical work involved in developing their own website, or the huge expense of having someone else build it. Shopify lets merchants manage all aspects of their shops: uploading products, changing the design, accepting credit card orders, and viewing their incoming orders and completed transactions.
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