Z
ZFree and paid SSL certificates with ACME automation, REST API and site scans
Free, from $14.99/mo
Let's Encrypt vs Sectigo
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
L
Choose Let's Encrypt if…
- you want a free plan to start with
- you need an API to build on
- you're in its core audience: website owners, web developers
S
Choose Sectigo if…
- you want to trial it before paying
- you work on Web
- you're in its core audience: website owners, enterprise it and security teams
Side by side
Feature Let's Encrypt Sectigo
Pricing modelFreeFree trial
Starting priceFree—
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
PlatformsAPIWeb
CompanyInternet Security Research Group (ISRG)Sectigo Limited
Full feature lists
L Let's Encrypt
- Free TLS/SSL certificates for websites
- Automated issuance and renewal via the ACME protocol
- Domain control validation
- List of recommended ACME clients
- Public service status and statistics pages
- Community support forum
- Documentation in many languages
S Sectigo
- DV, OV and EV SSL/TLS certificates
- Code signing and S/MIME email certificates
- VMC/CMC certificates
- Automatic certificate discovery and inventory
- Automated issuance, deployment and renewal
- Public and private CA management in one console
- 50+ integrations with existing tools
- Cryptographic asset discovery for quantum readiness
Their home pages
What each vendor shows first: the pitch, the plans and the sign-up.
Sectigo · sectigo.comWhat you'd pay
The cheapest plan that fits, per month, billed yearly where the plan offers it.
Let's Encrypt
FreeFree
Sectigo
Free trial. Plan details aren't published.
Strengths and limitations
Let's Encrypt
- Certificates are completely free
- Fully automated through ACME clients
- Run by a nonprofit and used by more than 700M websites
- Site is available in many languages
- Certificates are short-lived, so automated renewal is effectively required
- Support is through a community forum
Sectigo
- One provider for both single certificates and enterprise lifecycle management
- More than 50 integrations
- Free trial available
- Covers many certificate types, including code signing and S/MIME
- Enterprise CLM pricing requires contacting sales
More comparisons
Other options to consider
ZZ
Free, from $14.99/mo
Z
Free and paid SSL certificates with ACME automation, REST API and site scans
SSL certificatesFree planAPI
C
CGlobal network for CDN, DDoS protection, Zero Trust and serverless compute
Free, from $5/mo
C
Free, from $5/mo
C
Global network for CDN, DDoS protection, Zero Trust and serverless compute
DDoS protection & WAFFree plan
Facts from each vendor's public pages, prices checked Nov 10, 2026. Editorial policy