The Top 9 Cheap SAN Certificates You Should Know in 2021

For the companies who own multiple domain names, SAN (subject alternative name) certificates or multi-domain SSL certificates are a way to secure those websites. Our team at SectigoStore.com has put together a list of the top 9 cheap SAN certificates for 2021

When you own more than one domain, you must find a way to secure all of them to enable HTTPS on your site. And what if you also have IP addresses you want to cover? Sure, you can buy individual SSL certificates… or you can purchase a single cheap SAN certificate that can secure all of your subject alternative name domains.

It often becomes a tedious task to buy separate certificates and manage them. You can buy wildcard certificates for all your subdomains under one domain, but that also entails buying multiple certificates for multiple main domains. This becomes unnecessarily complex and costly. For this purpose, SAN certificates are introduced.

Let’s explore our list of nine cheap SAN certificates you can use to secure your subject alternative name domains.

Top 9 Cheap SAN Certificates in 2021

Many SAN certificate providers offer great prices for your security. SAN certificates are available in all three categories of validation: (domain validation (DV), organization validation (OV), and extended validation (EV).

Without further ado, let’s check out the first item on our list of cheap SAN certificates.

1. Sectigo Multi-Domain/UCC SSL Certificate

Sectigo Multi-Domain/UCC SSL Certificate is our preferred certificate due to its many distinctive features. It is a certificate specially designed for MS Exchange and MS Communications servers. Nevertheless, it can be deployed on other kinds of servers as well. This DV certificate can cover up to a total of 250 domains.

Some of the features of this certificate are:

• Rapid certificate issuance (within minutes).
• Strong encryption (256-bit AES encryption and 2048-bit RSA keys).
• Reliable Sectigo Secure site seal.
• Fully automated domain control validation.
• Worry-free $500,000 warranty.

You can buy a SAN certificate for five years that secures all your domains at a discount of 54% for prices starting at just $127.20 per year.

Vendor Price: $1,396 for 5 years
SectigoStore.com Price: $636 for 5 years
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2. Sectigo OV Multi-Domain SSL Certificate

This is an organizational validation SAN certificate that gives you in-depth validation for all your domains. You can secure up to 2,000 domains and IP addresses with a single Sectigo OV Multi-Domain SSL Certificate!

The issuing certificate authority (CA) will conduct a light validation process on your business prior to issuing all organization validated (OV) SSL certificates. This means that your certificate will be issued within one to three days.

Sectigo has strong backend support for installing your certificate and site seal in the form of written instructions and support tickets. The other features of the Sectigo OV Multi-Domain SSL Certificate are as follows:

• Strong 256-bit encryption that meets NIST and CA/B Forum Standards.
• High-powered 2048-bit RSA signature key.
• Great $1 million warranty.

You can buy this SAN certificate at a massive discount of up to 61% from SectigoStore.com. You can secure all your domains and IP addresses starting at just $140 a year.

Vendor Price: $1,396 for 5 years
SectigoStore.com Price: $636 for 5 years
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3. Sectigo EV Multi-Domain Certificate

If you want enterprise-level validation for your business, the Sectigo EV multi-domain certificate is the best choice for you. This EV certificate secures up to 250 domains and IP addresses to free you from the responsibilities of buying and managing multiple certificates.

When you buy this certificate, it enables you to assert your verified organizational identity in a way that assures site visitors that your company is legitimate and all the data transmitted between your website and the customer’s browser is secure. EV certificates require up to five days for issuance due to their in-depth validation processes.

EV certificate offers the highest level of validation for your site. The salient features of this product are as follows:

• Strong 256-bit AES encryption that meets NIST and CA/B Forum standards and baseline requirements.
• Dependable 2048-bit RSA signature key.
• Available with elliptic curve cryptography (ECC).
• Worry-free $1.75 million warranty.
• Sectigo Secure site seal.

Buy this SAN certificate from SectigoStore.com to enjoy up to a 36% discount. You can secure all your domains and IP addresses (maximum of 250) starting at just $279.20 a year.

Vendor Price: $2,196 for 5 years
SectigoStore.com Price: $1,396 for 5 years
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4. PositiveSSL Multi-Domain Wildcard (DV)

Do you want to secure all your domains and unlimited subdomains under one certificate? Then this is a perfect cheap SAN certificate for you. It covers up to 2,000 domains and unlimited subdomains. Simply use an asterisk (*) for all accompanying subdomains you wish to cover during the CSR generation process.

The distinctive features of this certificate are:

• Wide coverage of up to 2,000 fully qualified domain names (FQDNs).
• Speedy validation and certificate issuance.
• Reliable 256-bit encryption and 2048-bit signature key strength.
• Ample $50,000 warranty for your peace of mind.
• Dynamic PositiveSSL site seal.

This certificate is your way to ditch your “Not Secure” status on browsers and encrypt your data transmissions for just $159.20 per year! SectigoStore.com offers this certificate at half the price of other vendors.

Vendor Price: $1,596 for 5 years
SectigoStore.com Price: $796 for 5 years
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5. PositiveSSL EV Multi-Domain

PositiveSSL EV Multi-Domain certificate is the most affordable EV certificate to secure all your domains. It can secure up to 250 separate domains and IPs under one single certificate. Being an extended validated certificate can add a padlock on the address bar to ensure your customers that your site is secure. Because this certificate requires an extensive validation process, the issuance process can take up to five days.

The following additional features will enhance your PositiveSSL EV Multi-domain certificate:

• Strong 256-bit encryption with a trustworthy 2048-bit RSA signature key.
• Generous $1 million warranty.
• Dynamic PositiveSSL site seal.

You can buy this cheap SAN certificate at a discount of up to 34% from SectigoStore.com. You can secure all your domains and IP addresses (250 maximum) at prices starting at just $144.86 a year.

Vendor Price: $1,100 for 5 years
SectigoStore.com Price: $724.28 for 5 years
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6. PositiveSSL Multi-Domain (DV)

PositiveSSL Multi-Domain certificate is a DV certificate to secure your multiple domains. It is one of the cheapest SAN certificates available. It can cover up to 2,000 different domain names along with their subdomains under one certificate. This certificate offers you the following features:

• Fast certificate issuance (within minutes).
• Strong 256-bit encryption and a 2048-bit RSA signature key.
• Ample $50,000 warranty of in case anything goes wrong.
• Dynamic PositiveSSL secure site seal.

When you buy a five-year plan for this PositiveSSL multi-domain certificate directly from SectigoStore.com, you’ll enjoy an 82% discount. This means you can enjoy this certificate at a low cost of just $25.60 per year!

Vendor Price: $700 for 5 years
SectigoStore.com Price: $128 for 5 years
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7. Sectigo OV UCC SSL Certificate

The Sectigo OV UCC SSL Certificates are designed to secure MS Exchange and Communication servers in particular. However, they also secure other servers just as easily with the same efficiency. Each Sectigo UC certificate secures up to 250 domains and IP addresses under a single certificate. As an organizational validation certificate, it requires light business vetting, meaning that issuance can take one to three days.

The features of this certificate are as follows:

• Strong 256-bit encryption with a 2048-bit RSA signature key.
• Generous $1 million warranty.
• Sectigo Secure site seal.

SectigoStore.com offers a 39% discount when you buy a Sectigo OV UCC SSL certificate 5-year plan.  This means you can own this certificate for as little as $140 per year.

Vendor Price: $1,140 for 5 years
SectigoStore.com Price: $700 for 5 years
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8. Sectigo OV UCC Wildcard SSL Certificate

Although the Sectigo OV UCC Wildcard SSL Certificate is specifically designed for Microsoft Exchange and Communication servers, they secure other servers just as well. To reduce the administrative expenses and energy, you can secure 250 domains and IP addresses plus unlimited subdomains under these domains using this single UC certificate. It takes a few days to validate your business and issue your certificate.

The main features that accompany this certificate are as follows:

• Powerful 256-bit encryption and a 2048-bit RSA signature key.
• Trustworthy Sectigo Secure site seal.
• Generous $1 million warranty.

When you buy a Sectigo OV UCC Wildcard SSL certificate from SectigoStore.com, you can enjoy up to a 46% discount on your purchase. This means you can get this certificate for as little as $639.20 per year!

Vendor Price: $5,928 for 5 years
SectigoStore.com Price: $3,196 for 5 years
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9. Sectigo OV Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL Certificate

This multi-domain wildcard certificate can secure all your domains and subdomains under one certificate. This is one of the most versatile certificates available as it covers up to 2,000 domains and IPs and all of their registered subdomains.

The Sectigo OV Multi-Domain Wildcard is an organizational validation certificate, meaning that the CA will need to first vet your business before issuing a certificate to you. Due to this process, certificates will usually take one to three days to issue.

The other salient features of this certificate are:

• Strong 256-bit encryption with a 2048-bit RSA signature key.
• Covers “WWW” and non-“WWW” domains.
• Reliable Sectigo Secure site seal.
• Abundant $1 million warranty.

Buy a five-year plan for your Sectigo OV Multi-domain Wildcard SSL certificate from SectigoStore.com to enjoy up to a 59% discount. You can get your certificate for as little as $639.20 per year.

Vendor Price: $7,842 for 5 years
SectigoStore.com Price: $3,196 for 5 years
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About SAN Certificates 

What Are SAN SSL Certificates?

A subject alternative name certificate, or what’s also known as a multi-domain SSL certificate,is a digital file that enables you to secure many or all of your domains and specified subdomains under a single certificate. For example, you can secure all of the following using a single SAN certificate:

• mywebsite.com,
• www.mywebsite.com
• mywebsite.net, and
• mywebsite.org.

How many domains or subdomains does a SAN certificate cover? That answer depends on the individual certificate. But the takeaway here is that your company has to buy and manage only one single certificate instead of an array of individual SSL certificates. The SAN certificates are also cost-effective for the company.

The following screenshot shows the subject alternative name field of the certificate we use to secure alternate hostnames SAN certificates for SectigoStore.com:

The above figure shows the different host names (sites, common names and IP addresses) we added to the subject alternative name field for SectigoStore.com’s SSL certificate.

What Is Covered Under a SAN Certificate?

SAN certificate covers multiple domains under a single certificate. The following figure is the representation of some of the domains covered in a single certificate of an example website domain.com:

A figure showing examples of domain names covered under a single SAN certificate

What Are the Advantages of SAN Certificates?

SAN certificates cover multiple domains under a single certificate. There are many benefits of SAN certificates as opposed to managing multiple individual SSL certificates. Here are a few of the advantages:

• Buying a single SAN certificate is often cheaper than buying a bunch of separate SSL certificates for all your domains.
• Managing a single SAN certificate is easier than multiple SSL certificates.
• Re-issuing your certificate through SectigoStore.com is simple and easy.
• Adding additional subdomains can occur anytime during the life of the certificate.
• Using a SAN SSL certificate ensures your site is compatible with virtually all major mobile web browsers, computers and mobile devices.
• Securing your site with strong encryption is easy with a certificate that affords up to 256-bit encryption and a 2048-bit RSA signature key.

What’s the Difference Between Wildcard and SAN Certificates?

A wildcard SSL certificate covers one primary domain and an unlimited number of single-level subdomains in a single certificate. On the other hand, SAN certificates cover a specific number of SAN domains and specified subdomains — up to the max number your certificate allows. This is the main difference between a wildcard certificate and a SAN certificate.

The second difference between both types of certificates is the validation they provide. SANs are available in three validation levels: DV, OV, and EV. Wildcards, on the other hand, are available with DV and OV only. That’s because the industry prohibits the issuance of extended validation for wildcard and (multi-domain wildcard) certificates.

Conclusively, if you just have only one domain and a handful of subdomains to secure, a wildcard certificate should suffice. Alternatively, you should opt for a SAN or even a multi-domain wildcard SSL certificate if you have to secure multiple domains and their subdomains. It all depends on your organization’s requirements.

SAN SSL Certificates	Wildcard SSL Certificates
1. What does a SAN Certificate cover? One primary domain An unlimited number of single-level subdomains	1. What does a Wildcard certificate cover? One primary domain An unlimited number of single-level subdomains
2. What level of validation is provided? Doamin validation (DV) Organizational validation (OV) Extended Validation (EV)	2. What level of validation is provided? Doamin validation (DV) Organizational validation (OV)

Is a SAN Certificate Maintenance Free?

Not exactly. Every SSL/TLS certificate has a validity period of one year (397-398 days more specifically depending on the CA). To ensure continuity and prevent any certificate expiration-related service outages, you must re-issue that certificate.

If you have many domains to secure, SAN certificates are your answer. You can buy SAN certificates in one-year increments or purchase them in multi-year bundle plans to save money. You just have to re-issue them before they expire or else you’ll have to go through the validation process again.

So, let’s buy SAN SSL certificates but let’s not forget that it is not 100% maintenance-free. It does require annual re-issuance due to browser requirements.

Final Words on the 9 Best Cheap SAN Certificates in 2021

Our list of the nine best cheap SAN certificates in 2021 can be your go-to guide when you plan to buy a SAN certificate. You can select a SAN certificate that fulfills your site’s security requirements and is within your budget.

No matter whether you prefer PositiveSSL, EssentialSSl or Sectigo SSL certificates, they’re all very trustworthy and reliable. As a primary vendor for Sectigo Store certificates, we can provide you best discounts on all the certificates on our website sectigostore.com.