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ZeroSSL vs Sectigo

How ZeroSSL and Sectigo differ on deployment, pricing, openness and what each is actually built for.

ZeroSSLSectigo
TypePublic CA (freemium)Public CA + CLM
DeploymentSaaS (ACME)SaaS
How it worksIssues DV certificates over ACME like Let’s Encrypt, plus a browser console for teams that would rather click than script. Paid plans from $9.99/month add multi-domain certificates, a management console and support. Owned by HID Global, part of ASSA ABLOY.Formerly Comodo CA. Issues public TLS, code-signing and S/MIME at volume through a large reseller channel. Sectigo Certificate Manager handles discovery, renewal and private PKI alongside the public roots.
Pricing*Free tier; paid from $9.99/moFrom $110/yr (1-yr DV)
Free tierYesNo
Open source——
ComplianceWebTrust, CA/B ForumWebTrust, CA/B Forum
Best forACME with a UI and a support pathCost-sensitive estates that still want a CLM

ZeroSSL

  • Drop-in ACME alternative — useful as a second issuer
  • Web console for non-automated workflows
  • Paid support exists, unlike Let’s Encrypt
  • Free tier is rate-limited and nagged
  • Much younger and smaller than the incumbents

Sectigo

  • Markedly cheaper than DigiCert for equivalent certificates
  • Public and private PKI in one console
  • Wide reseller availability
  • Brand still carries the old Comodo association
  • Support quality varies by channel

Bottom line

Choose ZeroSSL for acme with a ui and a support path. Choose Sectigo for cost-sensitive estates that still want a clm.

* Indicative list pricing (vendor documentation and public pricing pages, August 2026).