If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then you\u2019ve\ncome to the right place. In this article, we\u2019ll answer your question \u201cwhat is a\nSAN SSL certificate?\u201d We\u2019ll also explore what SAN certificates do, what their\nbenefits are, and which SAN SSL certificates offer you the greatest advantages\nat the best prices<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is a SAN SSL Certificate and Why Do You Need One?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the context of an SSL certificate, the subject alternative name (SAN) is a type of SSL certificate that is capable of securing multiple domains under a single certificate. A client can append a certificate with multiple subject names or domain names (up to 250) during the certificate\u2019s validity period. Hence, they are called SAN certificates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A single SAN SSL certificate has the capacity to secure all\nbelow domain names under the single certificate roof:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- www.domain1.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- domain1.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- blog.domain1.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- products.domain1.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- order.domain1.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- dev.blog.domain1.co.uk<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- test.blog.domain1.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- domain2.org<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- dev.blog.domain2.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- test.blog.domain2.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- blog.domain2.ca<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- products.domain2.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- order.domain2.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- www.domain3.in<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- www.domain4.net<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- www.domain5.tech<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Wildcards, on the other hand, can only secure a single\ndomain and an unlimited number of subdomains on a single level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what else do SAN certificates offer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your Choice of Validation Level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
SAN certificates are available in all three validation\ntypes. Domain validation (DV) is designed specifically for freelancers,\nstartups, bloggers, and small businesses that don\u2019t collect or handle customers\u2019\npersonal information. Organization validation (OV) and extended validation (EV)\nare high-end certificates designed for companies that are legally registered\nand have physical addresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Multi-Level Subdomain Coverage <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Any level of subdomains can be added as additional SANs\nunder the SAN certificate. For example, if you own mysite.com, blog.mysite.com,\nposts.blog.mysite.com, suscription.blog.mysite.com,\ntraveling.post.blog.mysite.com, etc., you can secure all of these subdomains\nunder the same SAN SSL certificate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coverage of Domains with Different TLDs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a very common practice for businesses to buy domain\nnames with multiple TLDs to protect their brand name and get the benefit of Google\u2019s\nlocalized search results. But getting separate SSL certificates for each domain\nsporting a different TLD used to be very expensive and time consuming. That\u2019s\nwhy virtually all of the major certificate authorities (CAs) offer SAN\ncertificates that can include all<\/em> of the domain names with different\nTLDs under the same SSL certificate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simplified Certificate Management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s be honest here. SSL certificate management is not like\na certain Ray Romano TV character \u2014 not everyone loves it. It includes certificate\nsigning request (CSR) generation, validation, and installation processes \u2014 all\nof which are tedious and time consuming when you have to do it for every domain\nindividually. If you make a single mistake, all the browsers will go crazy and\nshow different types of SSL related error pages when someone tries to visit\nyour website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plus, you must keep track of the expiry date and renew the\ncertificate before it expires. Otherwise, the browsers will show a pesky\nsecurity warning page with the “SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_CERTIFICATE\u201d message\nthat can drive away your prospective or current customers. The renewal process\nis the same as buying a new SSL certificate!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following screenshot of a frustrated customer\u2019s post was taken from a leading SSL provider\u2019s certificate renewal page: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"SAN](\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/image.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage how frustrating it would be for that person to have to\ngenerate a CSR, pass the validation process, and install the SSL certificate 13\ntimes! Unfortunately, autorenewal is still not available for security reasons. But\ndo you see our point? Unless you own multiple websites and have loads of extra money\navailable to waste, then buying a single-domain SSL certificate for each site individually\nis not a wise decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where a SAN SSL certificate can rescue you! When all\nof your websites are secured under a single SSL certificate, you just need to\ngo through the entire certificate management process for one time \u2014 for all the\nwebsites \u2014 no matter whether it\u2019s for five, 15, or 100 websites! Peace! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Best Industry Savings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another huge advantage of buying one SAN SSL certificate is\nthat it would save you money. Buying one SAN SSL certificate would cost you\nless than buying a separate single domain certificate for every domain. Plus,\nyou will save a significant amount of time and labor in the certificate\nmanagement process, as stated in the above point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s check out the price for some of the best SAN\ncertificates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n <\/strong>\n <\/th> \n PositiveSSL Multi-Domain<\/strong>\n <\/th> \n Sectigo OV UCC SSL Certificate<\/strong>\n <\/th> \n Positive SSL EV Multi-Domain<\/strong>\n <\/th><\/tr> \n Lowest\n Available Price<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n $25.60\/year<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n $149\/year<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n $144.86\/year<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr> \n Warranty<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n $50,000\n <\/td> \n $1,000,000\n <\/td> \n $1,000,000\n <\/td><\/tr> \n Validation\n Level<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n Domain Validation\n <\/td> \n Organization Validation\n <\/td> \n Extended Validation\n <\/td><\/tr> \n Issuance\n Time<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n Within Minutes\n <\/td> \n 1-3 Days\n <\/td> \n 1-5 Days\n <\/td><\/tr> \n What\n the Certificate Includes (Domain Coverage)<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n 1 main domain FQDN+ 2 different SANs+ with the\n option of purchasing additional coverage for up to a total of 2,000\n additional SANs.\n <\/td> \n 1 main domain FQDN + 4 different SANs with the\n option of purchasing additional coverage for up to a total of 250 domains. \n <\/td> \n 1 main domain FQDN + 2 different SANs+ up to 250\n additional SANs at an extra price\n <\/td><\/tr> \n Browser\n Security Indicators<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n Not enables a padlock icon to appear in the web address bar.\n <\/td> \n It enables a padlock icon to appear in the web address bar and your\n organization\u2019s name to be listed in the certificate information. \n <\/td> \n It enables a padlock icon to appear in the web address bar and your organization\u2019s\n name to display more prominently in the browser. \n <\/td><\/tr> \n Eligibility\n <\/strong>\n <\/td> \n Any website That doesn\u2019t collect or handle users\u2019\n personal information. Most suitable for freelancers, bloggers startups, small\n businesses, etc.\n <\/td> \n Only legally registered business organizations with\n a physical address.\n <\/td> \n Only legally registered business organizations with\n a physical address + a minimum of 3 years in operation. \n <\/td><\/tr> \n Are\n Subdomains Included?<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n Subdomains can be added if they are specified as SANs.\n <\/td> \n Subdomains can be added if they are specified as SANs.\n <\/td> \n Subdomains can be added if they are specified as SANs.\n <\/td><\/tr> \n Cost\n to Include Additional Domains and Subdomains <\/strong>\n <\/td> \n $8.66\/year per additional domain\n <\/td> \n $34\/year per additional domain\n <\/td> \n $69.13\/year per additional domain\n <\/td><\/tr> \n Encryption\n Strength<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n 256 bit\n <\/td> \n 256 bit\n <\/td> \n 256 bit\n <\/td><\/tr> \n Type\n of site seal<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n Dynamic\n <\/td> \n Dynamic\n <\/td> \n Dynamic\n <\/td><\/tr> \n Support<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n 24\/7 Live\n <\/td> \n 24\/7 Live\n <\/td> \n 24\/7 Live\n <\/td><\/tr> \n \n <\/td> \n Buy\n Now<\/a>\n <\/td> \n Buy\n Now<\/a>\n <\/td> \n Buy\n Now<\/a>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"