Standard SSL vs EV SSL: Which SSL Certificate Should You Get?

For anyone running a website, whether a personal blog or an enterprise platform – SSL is no longer optional. It’s the baseline for data security, browser trust, and user confidence. But as the digital landscape evolves, so do the types of SSL certificates available. That’s where many site owners get stuck: Which SSL do you really need?.

SSL certificates come with different validation levels, and two of them that are widely used and often compared are: Standard SSL vs EV SSL. But just as SSL is important, choosing the right type of certificate is equally critical.

Both of them encrypt data, but the way that they verify the website’s identity differs significantly. The choice between a standard DV SSL certificate and an extended validation SSL certificate depends on multiple factors. This guide explains the differences between EV certificates and standard options and will assist you in deciding the right one for your site.

What is a Standard SSL Certificate?

A standard SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the website’s domain ownership and provides a secure, encrypted connection between a server and browser. Issued by a trusted Certificate Authority, these certificates help protect data from interception and tampering during transmission. Standard SSL is the most basic type of SSL/TLS certificate and is commonly known as a Domain Validation – DV SSL Certificate.

DV certificates use the latest security standards, including modern algorithms like RSA/ECC and secure SHA-2 hashing. They are best suited for personal blogs, portfolios, and informational pages where sensitive data or payment transactions aren’t involved.

Pros

• Instant Issuance: Deploys certificates in minutes via domain validation with an email-based verification method.
• Cost Efficiency: Offers affordable SSL Solutions starting from just $3.99/year, making it suitable for small businesses.
• Robust Encryption: Provides identical technical security to EV SSL (e.g., TLS 1.3, 256-bit encryption) for data-in-transit protection.

Cons

• No Identity Verification: Zero checks for business legitimacy. Only domain ownership is confirmed.
• Minimal Trust Indicators: Browsers display a tune icon (Chrome) or padlock, but the company name does not appear in the certificate.
• Inadequate for Compliance: Fails to meet strict regulatory needs (e.g., PCI DSS Requirement 12.3) for transactional sites, as they lack verified identity details.

What is an EV SSL Certificate?

Extended Validation, EV SSL Certificate is a type of SSL certificate that verifies the business’s legal, physical, and operational identity and offers the highest tier of SSL/TLS validation. Unlike standard SSL, EV SSL certificate follows strict security guidelines, which are defined by the CA/B Forum’s Baseline Requirements. It includes comprehensive verification checks of official registration documents, domain ownership, and organizational legitimacy.

These certificates are particularly important for high-risk platforms like e-commerce sites processing payments, financial institutions handling sensitive data, and enterprise brands where user confidence directly impacts conversions.

Pros

• Enhanced Trust Indicators: Prominent organization names in certificate details on modern browsers.
• Verified Identity: Company name, location, and legal status are cryptographically embedded in the certificate, visible via browser click-through.
• Regulatory Alignment: Meets strict standards like PCI DSS and GDPR for data-sensitive industries.

Cons

• Higher Cost: 3–10x pricier than DV/OV certificates due to manual vetting.
• Slower Issuance: Takes 5–10 business days for multi-stage authentication.
• Renewal Complexity: Requires re-verification of business details upon expiration.

Key Differences Between Standard SSL vs EV SSL

While both Standard (DV) SSL and Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates enable HTTPS encryption, they differ fundamentally in validation rigor, trust signals, cost, and ideal use cases. Below is a technical comparison:

Feature	Standard SSL (DV)	Extended Validation SSL (EV)
Validation Method	Domain ownership only.	Full business identity checks + domain ownership.
Validation Depth	Automated process via email; confirms domain control.	Manual verification of legal documents, business registration, and physical address.
Issuance Time	A few minutes.	5–10 business days
Trust Indicators	Tune icon (Chrome) or padlock icon (other browsers) in the address bar.	Verified company name in certificate details.
Identity Display	Domain name is shown. No organizational details in certificate.	Legal business name, location, and status embedded in certificate.
Ideal Use Cases	Blogs, personal sites, test environments.	E-commerce, banking, enterprise platforms requiring maximum trust.
	Get DV SSL	Get EV SSL

When Does EV SSL Make More Sense Than Standard SSL?

Not every website needs an EV SSL certificate, but for some it’s absolutely worth it.

If your business relies on building user trust, meeting compliance standards, or handling sensitive transactions, EV SSL sends a strong, visible message: we are who we say we are. Choosing EV SSL when showcasing verified and authenticated identity directly impacts user trust, compliance, and revenue.

Following are some of the industries where extended validation SSL certificate is the smarter choice.

• E-commerce platforms accepting credit cards or sensitive data like Shopify stores, SaaS platforms, etc.
• Regulated Industries like banking (PCI DSS), healthcare (HIPPA), or government services which require auditable identity assurance.
• Public Facing Brands such as enterprises, news portals, or public institutions where data theft risks could damage reputation.
• High-Value Transactions of luxury goods, B2B services, or contracts where customers’ confidence influences conversions

If your site doesn’t need to prove its identity — just protect data in transit — a Domain Validation (DV) SSL is often all you need.

Consider DV SSL in these cases

• Personal websites or blogs where no transactions happen.
• Internal tools, like staging environments or dashboards used by your team.
• Low-risk public pages such as documentation sites, event listings, or informational microsites.

How to Choose the Right SSL for Your Needs

Selecting the right certificate for your site depends on several factors, including a business’ budget, brand reputation requirement, and risk profile. Use this practical checklist before making a decision.

• Need a certificate fast and on a tight budget?
  Go with a DV SSL. It’s quick to issue and won’t break the bank — perfect for small sites, personal projects, or getting encryption up and running in minutes.
• Worried about your brand being impersonated?
  If you’re a public-facing business or your site handles sensitive interactions, EV SSL gives you visible identity verification that builds instant trust with users.
• Running a site that collects data or processes payments?
  Choose EV SSL. The added identity assurance is crucial for customer confidence, especially in e-commerce, finance, or regulated industries.
• Just sharing content or hosting a simple website?
  A DV SSL will do the job. It encrypts traffic and keeps things secure, even if it doesn’t show verified business details.

Recommended Certificate Authorities to Buy EV SSL

Before investing in the EV SSL Certificate, it’s crucial to look for a trusted Certificate Authority who is known for providing strong validation, high browser compatibility, and reliable support. Below we have created a list of top EV SSL products from globally recognized CAs like Sectigo, Comodo, GeoTrust, Thawte, and DigiCert, all available at competitive prices.

PRODUCT NAME	Best Price
PositiveSSL EV Certificate	$50.00/yr.
Comodo EV SSL Certificate	$65.00/yr.
Sectigo EV SSL Certificate	$65.00/yr.
PositiveSSL EV Multi-Domain Certificate	$135.00/yr.
Comodo EV Multi-Domain SSL Certificate	$190.00/yr.
Sectigo EV Multi-Domain SSL Certificate	$190.00/yr.
DigiCert Secure Site EV SSL Certificate	$820.00/yr.

At CheapSSLShop, we offer, globally trusted, affordable SSL certificates at highly discounted prices to help businesses secure their website without overspending.

Conclusion

The right SSL certificate depends on what your website does and how much trust you need to show. If you just need basic security, a DV SSL gets the job done. But if your visitors need to know who’s behind your site and that they can trust you, an EV SSL makes that clear.

But if you are still unsure of which SSL Solution aligns best with your site, you can talk with our experts or browse our full range of SSL certificates to get a tailored solution which fulfils your business requirements.

Related Posts:

• Standard SSL vs. Wildcard SSL Certificates: Which One to Choose for Your Website?
• How Much Does an SSL Certificate Cost?