Let's Encrypt
Free, automated TLS certificates for any website from a nonprofit CA
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Pricing
Free
API
Yes
Company
Internet Security Research Group (ISRG)
Platforms
What is Let's Encrypt?
Let's Encrypt is a free, automated and open Certificate Authority that issues TLS certificates so websites can enable HTTPS. It is run by the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and says it serves more than 700 million websites.
To get a certificate, you prove you control the domain. Issuance and renewal are handled by ACME clients, and Let's Encrypt keeps a list of recommended ones. Certificate lifetimes are getting shorter, with 64-day certificates planned for February 2027, so automated renewal matters.
It suits site owners, developers, hosting providers and platforms that need HTTPS without paying for certificates. Donations and corporate sponsorships pay for the service. Help comes from documentation and a community forum staffed by volunteers, experts and ISRG staff.
Key features
- 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
Use cases
Who it's for
Enabling HTTPS on a personal site
Get a free certificate after proving domain control, and have an ACME client renew it automatically.
Hosting providers securing customer sites
Platforms can automate certificate issuance for large numbers of customer domains.
Preparing for shorter certificate lifetimes
Automated ACME renewal handles the planned 64-day lifetimes without manual work.
Let's Encrypt pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Nov 10, 2026. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
Free
$0
- Free TLS certificates
- Automated issuance via ACME
Get an email when Let's Encrypt changes its prices
One mail per change, a stop link in each. Nothing else.
How Let's Encrypt compares
- Let's Encrypt has a free plan, like 2 of the 3 alternatives below.
- It offers an API, which only 1 of the others does.
| Tool | Starts at | Free plan | Free trial | API | Open source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLet's Encrypt | Free | — | — | |||
Z ZeroSSL | $14.99/mo | — | — | Let's Encrypt vs ZeroSSL | ||
S Sectigo | — | — | — | — | Let's Encrypt vs Sectigo | |
| CCloudflare | $5/mo | — | — | — | Let's Encrypt vs Cloudflare |
The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- 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
Limitations
- Certificates are short-lived, so automated renewal is effectively required
- Support is through a community forum
Let's Encrypt FAQ
How much does Let's Encrypt cost?
Nothing. It provides free TLS certificates and is funded by donations and sponsors.
How do I get a certificate?
Prove that you control the domain, then use an ACME client to request and renew the certificate automatically.
Who runs Let's Encrypt?
The Internet Security Research Group (ISRG), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
How long are certificates valid?
Let's Encrypt has announced 64-day certificate lifetimes starting in February 2027.
Where can I get help?
Through the documentation and the community forum, where experts, volunteers and ISRG staff answer questions.
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Let's Encrypt
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