# Best Enterprise SSL & TLS Certificate Tools

  *By [Brandon Summers-Miller](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/brandon-summers-miller)*

   Products classified in the overall SSL & TLS Certificate Tools category are similar in many regards and help companies of all sizes solve their business problems. However, enterprise business features, pricing, setup, and installation differ from businesses of other sizes, which is why we match buyers to the right Enterprise Business SSL & TLS Certificate Tools to fit their needs. Compare product ratings based on reviews from enterprise users or connect with one of G2's buying advisors to find the right solutions within the Enterprise Business SSL & TLS Certificate Tools category.

In addition to qualifying for inclusion in the SSL & TLS Certificate Tools category, to qualify for inclusion in the Enterprise Business SSL & TLS Certificate Tools category, a product must have at least 10 reviews left by a reviewer from an enterprise business.





## Category Overview

**Total Products under this Category:** 44


## Trust & Credibility Stats

**Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:**

- 30 Analysts and Data Experts
- 1,400+ Authentic Reviews
- 44+ Products
- Unbiased Rankings

G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category.



---

**Sponsored**

### SecureW2 JoinNow

SecureW2 is a cloud-native authentication solution designed to enhance security by eliminating credential compromise through its innovative JoinNow Platform. This platform combines Dynamic Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Cloud RADIUS to facilitate real-time trust validation and continuous authentication for users accessing networks and applications. Each access request initiates an identity-based risk assessment, which determines the issuance of certificates and the corresponding access privileges. Once access is granted, the system continuously validates the compliance of devices, ensuring that only verified entities maintain their authorization. The JoinNow Platform caters to a diverse range of users, including K-12 and higher education institutions, mid-market businesses, and global enterprises. By providing scalable and resilient authentication solutions, SecureW2 addresses the unique security needs of various sectors without placing an additional burden on IT teams. The platform's ability to seamlessly integrate with existing identity providers, such as Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), Okta, and Google Workspace, allows organizations to implement adaptive, passwordless authentication without the need for complex upgrades or disruptions. SecureW2 effectively tackles several prevalent security challenges. Credential compromise remains a significant concern, as traditional passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) can be vulnerable. By utilizing certificate-based authentication, SecureW2 eliminates these risks entirely. Additionally, the platform addresses high operational overhead associated with managing legacy security systems by automating certificate issuance, revocation, and lifecycle management. This automation not only saves IT resources but also enhances visibility and control, providing real-time insights into authentication processes. Key features of SecureW2 include its agentless architecture, which eliminates software bloat while ensuring secure and frictionless authentication. The extensive policy engine allows organizations to create customized policies that are automatically enforced both before and after authentication. Continuous authentication adapts in real time, validating access dynamically based on evolving security conditions. Furthermore, the platform’s interoperability ensures compatibility with any identity provider, mobile device management (MDM) system, and security stack, making it a versatile choice for organizations looking to enhance their security posture. In summary, SecureW2 redefines authentication for modern businesses by ensuring that every access request is trust-validated. Its scalable, lightweight design enables rapid deployment and effortless scaling, allowing organizations to maintain robust security without the complexities and costs typically associated with traditional authentication solutions.



[Visit website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=ppc&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=1790&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_id%5D=1790&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bplacement_reason%5D=page_category&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=1790&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=146605&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=1790&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Fssl-tls-certificate-tools%3Fpage%3D2&secure%5Btoken%5D=8be77da258523aa0d738874b47cc5964b489a77653da32038b547007e3a75836&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.securew2.com%2Fjoinnow-platform%3Futm_source%3Dg2%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3Dcategory-listing&secure%5Burl_type%5D=custom_url&secure%5Bvisitor_segment%5D=180)

---

## Top-Rated Products (Ranked by G2 Score)
### 1. [Sectigo Certificate Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/sectigo-certificate-manager/reviews)
  Sectigo Certificate Manager (SCM) is a robust, cloud-native platform that streamlines certificate lifecycle management (CLM) with advanced automation and centralized oversight. By eliminating the inefficiencies and vulnerabilities of manual certificate handling, SCM minimizes human error and mitigates the risk of costly system outages. With a focus on crypto agility, it seamlessly integrates with both public and private certificate authorities, delivering a simplified and secure user experience for organizations of all sizes. Supporting over 50 integrations with leading technology providers, SCM ensures broad interoperability and future-proofs businesses against evolving industry requirements such as post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and shorter TLS certificate lifespans. Whether enhancing operational efficiency or bolstering security, SCM is an all-in-one CLM solution tailored to the demands of modern enterprises.


  **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 183

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 9.0/10)
- **Warranty:** 8.4/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Domain Validated SSL:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 9.0/10)
- **Server License:** 8.1/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Sectigo](https://www.g2.com/sellers/sectigo)
- **Company Website:** https://sectigo.com/
- **Year Founded:** 1998
- **HQ Location:** Scottsdale, Arizona
- **Twitter:** @SectigoHQ (2,893 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/sectigo/ (629 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Financial Services, Information Technology and Services
  - **Company Size:** 52% Enterprise, 28% Mid-Market


### 2. [Cloudflare Application Security and Performance](https://www.g2.com/products/cloudflare-application-security-and-performance/reviews)
  Cloudflare is the connectivity cloud for the "everywhere world," on a mission to help build a better Internet. We provide a unified platform of networking, security, and developer services delivered from a single, intelligent global network that spans hundreds of cities in over 125 countries. This empowers organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to the world's largest enterprises, to make their employees, applications, and networks faster and more secure everywhere, while significantly reducing complexity and cost. Our comprehensive platform includes: - Advanced Security: Protect your online presence with industry-leading DDoS protection, a robust Web Application Firewall (WAF), Bot mitigation, and API security. Implement Zero Trust security to secure remote access, data, and applications for your entire workforce. - Superior Performance: Accelerate website and application loading times globally with our Content Delivery Network (CDN), intelligent DNS, and smart routing capabilities. Optimize images and deliver dynamic content with unparalleled speed. - Powerful Developer Tools: Empower your developers to build and deploy full-stack applications at the edge using Cloudflare Workers (serverless functions), R2 Storage (object storage without egress fees), and D1 (serverless SQL database). Cloudflare helps connect and protect millions of customers globally, offering the control, visibility, and reliability businesses need to work, develop, and accelerate their operations in today's hyperconnected landscape. Our global network continuously learns and adapts, ensuring your digital assets are always protected and performing at their best.


  **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 576

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 9.0/10)
- **Warranty:** 7.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Domain Validated SSL:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 9.0/10)
- **Server License:** 7.9/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Cloudflare, Inc.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/cloudflare-inc)
- **Company Website:** https://www.cloudflare.com
- **Year Founded:** 2009
- **HQ Location:** San Francisco, California
- **Twitter:** @Cloudflare (276,983 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/407222/ (6,898 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Who Uses This:** Web Developer, Software Engineer
  - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Computer Software
  - **Company Size:** 62% Small-Business, 26% Mid-Market


#### Pros & Cons

**Pros:**

- Security (54 reviews)
- Ease of Use (50 reviews)
- Features (45 reviews)
- Performance (36 reviews)
- Reliability (36 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Complex User Interface (24 reviews)
- Expensive (24 reviews)
- Complex Setup (19 reviews)
- Complexity (18 reviews)
- Learning Curve (15 reviews)

### 3. [DigiCert CertCentral](https://www.g2.com/products/digicert-certcentral/reviews)
  CertCentral is your comprehensive solution for issuing and administering publicly trusted certificates for web servers, code signing, document signing, and email.


  **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 31

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.5/10 (Category avg: 9.0/10)
- **Warranty:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Domain Validated SSL:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 9.0/10)
- **Server License:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [digicert](https://www.g2.com/sellers/digicert)
- **Year Founded:** 2003
- **HQ Location:** Lehi, UT
- **Twitter:** @digicert (6,666 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/357882/ (1,899 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services
  - **Company Size:** 35% Small-Business, 32% Enterprise


### 4. [AWS Certificate Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-certificate-manager/reviews)
  AWS Certificate Manager is a service that lets you easily provision, manage, and deploy Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security (SSL/TLS) certificates for use with AWS services to secure network communications and establish the identity of websites.


  **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 54

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 9.0/10)
- **Warranty:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Domain Validated SSL:** 8.2/10 (Category avg: 9.0/10)
- **Server License:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Amazon Web Services (AWS)](https://www.g2.com/sellers/amazon-web-services-aws-3e93cc28-2e9b-4961-b258-c6ce0feec7dd)
- **Year Founded:** 2006
- **HQ Location:** Seattle, WA
- **Twitter:** @awscloud (2,223,984 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon-web-services/ (156,424 employees on LinkedIn®)
- **Ownership:** NASDAQ: AMZN

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Computer Software
  - **Company Size:** 48% Mid-Market, 26% Enterprise


### 5. [SecureW2 JoinNow](https://www.g2.com/products/securew2-joinnow/reviews)
  SecureW2 is a cloud-native authentication solution designed to enhance security by eliminating credential compromise through its innovative JoinNow Platform. This platform combines Dynamic Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Cloud RADIUS to facilitate real-time trust validation and continuous authentication for users accessing networks and applications. Each access request initiates an identity-based risk assessment, which determines the issuance of certificates and the corresponding access privileges. Once access is granted, the system continuously validates the compliance of devices, ensuring that only verified entities maintain their authorization. The JoinNow Platform caters to a diverse range of users, including K-12 and higher education institutions, mid-market businesses, and global enterprises. By providing scalable and resilient authentication solutions, SecureW2 addresses the unique security needs of various sectors without placing an additional burden on IT teams. The platform's ability to seamlessly integrate with existing identity providers, such as Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), Okta, and Google Workspace, allows organizations to implement adaptive, passwordless authentication without the need for complex upgrades or disruptions. SecureW2 effectively tackles several prevalent security challenges. Credential compromise remains a significant concern, as traditional passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) can be vulnerable. By utilizing certificate-based authentication, SecureW2 eliminates these risks entirely. Additionally, the platform addresses high operational overhead associated with managing legacy security systems by automating certificate issuance, revocation, and lifecycle management. This automation not only saves IT resources but also enhances visibility and control, providing real-time insights into authentication processes. Key features of SecureW2 include its agentless architecture, which eliminates software bloat while ensuring secure and frictionless authentication. The extensive policy engine allows organizations to create customized policies that are automatically enforced both before and after authentication. Continuous authentication adapts in real time, validating access dynamically based on evolving security conditions. Furthermore, the platform’s interoperability ensures compatibility with any identity provider, mobile device management (MDM) system, and security stack, making it a versatile choice for organizations looking to enhance their security posture. In summary, SecureW2 redefines authentication for modern businesses by ensuring that every access request is trust-validated. Its scalable, lightweight design enables rapid deployment and effortless scaling, allowing organizations to maintain robust security without the complexities and costs typically associated with traditional authentication solutions.


  **Average Rating:** 4.7/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 96

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 9.0/10)
- **Warranty:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Domain Validated SSL:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 9.0/10)
- **Server License:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [SecureW2](https://www.g2.com/sellers/securew2)
- **Company Website:** https://www.securew2.com/
- **Year Founded:** 2014
- **HQ Location:** Seattle, US
- **Twitter:** @SecureW2 (84 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/securew2/ (118 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Primary/Secondary Education, Computer Software
  - **Company Size:** 55% Mid-Market, 41% Enterprise


#### Pros & Cons

**Pros:**

- Customer Support (20 reviews)
- Setup Ease (19 reviews)
- Ease of Use (18 reviews)
- Security (17 reviews)
- Authentication (14 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Performance Issues (12 reviews)
- Expensive (6 reviews)
- Poor Customer Support (5 reviews)
- Poor Documentation (5 reviews)
- Difficult Learning Curve (4 reviews)

### 6. [IONOS 1&1 Domains and hosting](https://www.g2.com/products/ionos-1-1-domains-and-hosting/reviews)
  IONOS 1&1 offers a comprehensive suite of domain registration and web hosting services tailored to meet the needs of individuals, small businesses, and enterprises. With over 30 years of experience, IONOS provides reliable and innovative solutions, including domain registration, web hosting, email services, and cloud infrastructure, all hosted in their own regional data centers in the US and Europe. Their offerings are designed to help users establish and maintain a robust online presence with ease and efficiency. Key Features and Functionality: - Domain Registration: Secure your unique online address with a wide selection of domain extensions, ensuring your brand stands out. - Web Hosting: Choose from various hosting plans that include features like redundant storage, multiple databases, and unmetered bandwidth to accommodate websites of all sizes. - Email Services: Create professional email addresses matching your domain, enhancing your brand's credibility and communication. - Security Measures: Benefit from Wildcard SSL certificates included in hosting plans, ensuring encrypted and secure data transfers for your website visitors. - User-Friendly Management: Utilize intuitive control panels and management tools to easily oversee your domains, hosting, and email services. Primary Value and Solutions Provided: IONOS 1&1 simplifies the process of establishing and managing an online presence by offering integrated services that cater to various digital needs. By combining domain registration, hosting, and email services under one provider, users experience streamlined operations, enhanced security, and dedicated customer support. This holistic approach allows businesses and individuals to focus on growth and engagement without the complexities of managing multiple service providers.


  **Average Rating:** 3.5/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 149

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 9.0/10)
- **Warranty:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Domain Validated SSL:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 9.0/10)
- **Server License:** 7.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [IONOS by 1&1](https://www.g2.com/sellers/ionos-by-1-1)
- **Year Founded:** 1988
- **HQ Location:** Montabaur, Rheinland-Pfalz
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/10298/ (2,719 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Who Uses This:** Software Engineer, Director
  - **Top Industries:** Marketing and Advertising, Information Technology and Services
  - **Company Size:** 72% Small-Business, 16% Mid-Market


#### Pros & Cons

**Pros:**

- Affordable Pricing (4 reviews)
- Web Hosting (4 reviews)
- Affordable (3 reviews)
- Cost Effectiveness (3 reviews)
- User-Friendly (3 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Incompetence/Untrustworthiness (3 reviews)
- Complex Usability (2 reviews)
- Poor Communication (2 reviews)
- Poor Customer Support (2 reviews)
- Poor User Experience (2 reviews)



## Parent Category

[Confidentiality Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/confidentiality)



## Related Categories

- [Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/certificate-lifecycle-management-clm)



---

## Buyer Guide

### What You Should Know About SSL and TLS Certificate Software

### What is SSL and TLS Certificate Software?

Secure sockets layer (SSL) and transport layer security (TLS) are standard methods of initiating encrypted connections between servers and clients. SSL and TLS connections are established based on SSL and TLS digital certificates. These digital certificates authenticate a website’s identity and then utilize public key infrastructure (PKI) to create links between web servers and clients. These encryption keys secure website visitor information, building digital trust by preventing cyber criminals from reading data they may attempt to steal as it's transferred from the server to the client.

Unlike general encryption software, which allows users to encrypt and transmit data between two parties, SSL and TLS technologies establish connections between servers and clients by creating a TLS/SSL certificate with a unique digital signature. These certificates authenticate the domain requesting the data. If the server accepts the certificate, the data is encrypted using this client’s public key, transferred to the client, and decrypted using the client’s private key. This process is called an SSL or TLS “handshake.”

There are several different types of SSL and TLS certificates which all allow for a website to utilize HTTPS encryption. Different types of certificates are suited for different purposes and require varying degrees of validation processes, which yields correspondingly secure encryption capabilities. The most secure and rigorously obtained SSL and TLS certificates are often used by large, global organizations that handle incredibly sensitive information, including healthcare organizations, financial institutions, and insurance companies.

**What Do SSL and TLS Stand For?**

SSL and TLS software, respectively, stand for secure sockets layer and transport layer security software. SSL is the predecessor to TLS, though the two terms are closely related and sometimes used interchangeably.

#### What Types of SSL and TLS Certificates Exist?

**Single-domain SSL certificates:** These authenticate precisely one domain and will not authenticate any other, including subdomains associated with the one domain it has been issued to authenticate. 

**Wildcard SSL certificates:** These authenticate a domain and all of its subdomains. 

**Multi-domain SSL certificates:** These authenticate multiple domains and their subdomains on the same certificate.

In addition to the different types of certificates, there are three distinct levels of certificate validation, as mentioned below:

**Domain validation (DV) certificates:** These are the least stringent to acquire and simply prove an organization controls a particular domain and are not recommended for commercial use. 

**Organization validation (OV) certificates:** The issuing CA authenticates these against a government-hosted business registry database to authenticate an organization. 

**Extended validation (EV) certificates:** The most expensive and most-vetted SSL and TLS certificate level to obtain. Leading businesses and organizations often use EV certificates to ensure digital trust in their domains.

### What are the Common Features of SSL and TLS Certificate Software?

The following are some core features within SSL and TLS certificate products that can help users in multiple ways:

**Provide SSL and TLS certificates:** A core feature of SSL and TLS certificate software is their ability for domains to present servers with certificates that authenticate their identities. SSL and TLS certificates rely on public-key cryptography, which means one or both parties knows precisely whom they are interacting with. Once the sensitive data has been transferred from the server to the client, the client’s private key is used for decryption.

Implementing SSL and TLS certificates allows data requested from servers to be encrypted using HTTPS. Website visitors can ensure the page is encrypted by checking the padlock icon in the web domain bar.

**Delegate certificates across an entire domain:** For organizations that use multiple servers, detecting when private keys have been compromised can be challenging. To mitigate this, SSL and TLS certificate software can delegate certificates across an entire domain. This means private keys are stored in a secure, more easily monitored location.

Securing the certificate’s key in this manner also means there’s no need for certificate revocation if the delegated certificate used in the handshake is stolen. This is because delegated digital certificates are short lived, typically expiring after a few hours or days. This capability also means organizations do not need to expose their private keys to servers. Instead, they merely supply the delegated certificate, which the server uses to authenticate the client through code signing.

**Utilize trusted certificate authorities:** Certificate authorities are the organizations responsible for issuing SSL and TLS certificates. They are trusted organizations that issue different types of SSL and TLS certificates based on which type the domain has requested for its particular needs. The SSL and TLS certificates that the certificate authorities issue certifies that the named domain or subject on that certificate is the owner of the associated public key. This authentication builds digital trust between servers and clients, as sensitive information and transactions are known to go to the proper parties through a secure encryption and decryption process using HTTPS.

### What are the Benefits of SSL and TLS Certificates Software?

A few crucial benefits of SSL and TLS certificates software are mentioned below:

**Improves website security:** SSL and TLS certificates improve domain security through encryption, which enables secure connections. Transferring data from servers to clients creates vulnerabilities that attackers exploit through malware and denial-of-service attacks. Without the certificate’s private key, however, even if attackers capture data during its transfer, they cannot read it.

Organizations use SSL and TLS certificates to encrypt their proprietary information, including trade secrets and financial details. Other commonly encrypted information through SSL and TLS certificate implementations include employee, customer, and transaction information.

**Enables compliance:** Though not legally required, since 2017, web browsers have strongly urged domains to acquire an SSL or TLS certificate. Through self regulation, browsers now often label websites as having an unsecured connection if they don’t have an SSL or TLS certificate and ask for the user’s consent to continue to the domain. In addition, search engines favor results from websites with SSL and TLS certificates, and domains with secure connections more frequently populate SEO-driven searches.

### Who Uses SSL and TLS Certificates Software?

**Hospitals, medical systems, and healthcare offices:** Healthcare services that record patient information are subject to various regulations regarding patient privacy, including the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). To remain compliant with these regulations, patient information must be kept secure through encryption when healthcare data, including diagnoses, prescription details, and test results, is transferred from servers to clients.

**Financial institutions:** Bank and credit union members depend on security to keep their financial information out of the hands of bad actors, which necessitates the use of encryption during online banking transactions. SSL and TLS certificates bolster this security through encryption.

**Online retailers:** Payment processing information must be kept private for e-commerce shoppers to keep information like credit card numbers private. SSL and TLS-facilitated encryption methods protect this information through encryption and guarantee that the money website visitors spend is being sent to the proper business through the certificate’s primary function of domain authentication. Payment card industry (PCI) standards recommend online retailers remain up-to-date with their digital certificates to keep payment information secure.

**Blogs and content-driven websites:** Since 2017, web browsers have preferred to populate SEO-powered searches with domains secured with HTTPS encryption, which SSL and TLS certificates enable. Website owners whose business models depend on ad sales and, therefore, organic web traffic will be able to generate more revenue with a secure site that appears higher in search engine queries. Also, even though blogs and content-driven websites don’t necessarily collect payments or particularly sensitive data, it is beneficial for site visitors if their activity is kept private.

### Challenges with SSL and TLS Certificates Software

**Certificate expirations:** SSL and TLS certificates don’t last forever, meaning security teams need to be aware of pending expiration dates for their certificates. Some SSL and TLS certificate products have built-in features to track expiration dates, though not all do. In the latter case, [certificate lifecycle management (CLM) software](https://www.g2.com/categories/certificate-lifecycle-management-clm) can help organizations take a centralized approach to monitoring their certificates. By streamlining and automating the lifecycle management process, organizations can secure new SSL and TLS certificates before the expiration of their current certificate.

**Vulnerabilities:** Older SSL and TLS certificates have known vulnerabilities that can compromise the integrity of their encryptions, so it is imperative to use the most up-to-date SSL and TLS certificate software. Weak ciphers can make it easy for attacks to decrypt sensitive data. Additionally, if an attacker acquires the private key that the SSL or TLS encryption uses, they can decrypt past transactions even long after they’ve happened.

### How to Buy SSL and TLS Certificate Software

#### Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for SSL and TLS Certificate Software

When choosing an SSL or TLS certificate software, buyers should consider several factors to ensure their needs are being met to secure private browsing for users on their websites. Buyers should keep the following considerations in mind:

**Type:** Buyers should understand the type of SSL or TLS certificate they need to secure to best safeguard sensitive information against bad actors. Requesting information from potential SSL and TLS certificate software vendors about the types of certificates they can secure and assessing which certificates adequately address the buyer’s needs is a good starting point.

**Level:** The level of the certificate the buyer’s organization needs to validate their identity and control of a domain is critically important. Levels of organization validation that are less stringent to obtain are typically not as complexly encrypted as levels that require manual validation against government-hosted databases. Buyers should ensure the SSL or TLS certificate software they choose can secure the proper level of validation for their needs.

**Certificate management:** Some organizations already implement CLM software to keep certificate management centralized, so managing SSL and TLS certificates can be included in these pre-existing infrastructures. However, companies that do not already employ CLM software will either have to manually track expiration dates or consider getting it to automate the process. Some SSL and TLS certificate software now come with built-in lifecycle management, making it easier for enterprises to manage them and employ certificate renewals.

#### Compare SSL and TLS Certificate Software Products

**Create a long list**

There is a multitude of SSL and TLS certificate software available, making it difficult for buyers to narrow down which among them best suits their needs. It’s best to begin the selection process by determining which products offer the certificates the buyer needs for their industry, their organization’s size, which products best integrate with existing workflows, and the sensitivity of the information they’re protecting with HTTPS encryption.

Built-in features that may best suit the operations of the purchasing organization should also be considered when creating a long list. Does the buyer already have a system for tracking certificate lifecycles? Does the buyer want an SSL or TLS certificate software that can track the expiration dates of its own certificates?

**Create a short list**

To further narrow the pool of potential products, buyers should leverage user reviews from[g2.com](http://g2.com/). User reviews speak to the ease of implementation, potential costs, intuitive interfaces, and overall functionality of the certificate software. Most certificates also come with a warranty, but buyers must be sure to inquire with vendors about the warranty’s details when choosing to secure certificates through them. Beyond reading the reviews, buyers are also empowered to leverage the G2 Grid® to see how competing SSL and TLS certificate software stack up against each other.

**Conduct demos**

Buyers can contact many vendors directly on[g2.com](http://g2.com/) to request demos by selecting the “Get a quote” button. At each demo, buyers must ask the same questions to best evaluate each product. Buyers should ask vendors about the types of certificates they can secure and the average time to secure them.

#### Selection of SSL and TLS Certificate Software

**Choose a selection team**

The team responsible for selecting the SSL or TLS certificate software should include the organization's ultimate decision maker, IT department members, software engineers, and the parties responsible for the certificate and digital key management. Including a representative from the organization’s DevOps team may also be beneficial.

**Negotiation**

Typically, longer-length contracts can improve the chances of securing better pricing when negotiating a contract. Furthermore, the total number of certificates and their types and level of validation may give buyers flexibility when negotiating a rate with vendors.

**Final decision**

The final decision will come down to whether or not the product offers the appropriate certificates the buyer needs for their industry, organization size, and the sensitivity of the data they transfer between servers and clients. A final decision should also be made only once the person responsible for managing the certificate’s lifecycle unless the buyer has chosen an SSL and TLS certificate product with built-in lifecycle management.