The 6 Best Free SSL Hosting Providers in 2022
Daren Low
Editor in Chief
Of the value-added features that come with top web hosting plans, if we were told “you could have only one of these for free,” we would most probably choose “free SSL certificate.”
This choice is purely because of the value an SSL certificate adds to a site and nothing else.
- 1It protects your customers’ data from hackers and eavesdroppers.
- 2Google considers it as a crucial element in its search engine rankings algorithm.
- 3The actual visitors will most probably trust an HTTPS site more than a ‘Not Secure’ HTTP one.
Of course, most quality hosting providers include more than just the SSL certificate. However, we are focusing on “free SSL certificate” in this article, and these are the best ones with it:
6 Best Free SSL Hosting Providers
1. Hostinger
There’s no better value host than Hostinger in our book. Its cheapest plan costs a mere Rs. 59/month and performs INCREDIBLY- top-notch server speed, loading time, and uptime. That plan can handle nearly 10k monthly visitors, which is perfect for beginners and small businesses.
Besides, there are quite a few features for the price. One of which is a free SSL certificate powered by Let’s Encrypt. Hostinger mentions it’s a “₹855 value” product, which shocked us a bit because Let’s Encrypt runs on donations & offers SSL certificates for free. Anyway, that’s none of your concerns — you get a free SSL certificate and the benefits that come with it.
2. Bluehost
Recommended by WordPress itself, Bluehost is a fantastic web host for WordPress and almost all other CMSs. Though its plans are not as cheap as Hostinger’s, the value it brings to the table is top-of-the-line. The cheapest Rs. 199/month plan includes unlimited bandwidth, free ad credits, and a free domain name — i.e., the features almost all beginners need.
And, of course, there’s a free SSL certificate. Bluehost auto-installs Let’s Encrypt’s free SSL certificate on all the websites to secure the connection between the server and clients.
3. SiteGround
If we talk purely from a quality perspective, SiteGround is perhaps the best hosts out there in the sub-$10 category, especially for WordPress. In other words, it’s a bang for the buck but not in a similar way when we say the same for Hostinger. Features like free CDN, free emails, daily backup, SuperCacher, etc., are included in all its packs.
As for SSL certificates, a Let’s Encrypt Standard SSL certificate is preinstalled on your sites. You also get Wildcard SSL certificates that you’ll have to install on your subdomains to keep every end secure.
4. A2 Hosting
Focused on powering your site with the best resources possible, A2 easily makes into any list that discusses value-for-money hosts that prioritize performance. It’s our favorite reseller hosting provider precisely for that. The shared plans aren’t bad either — especially because of its Turbo server packs and anytime money-back guarantee.
It also auto-installs SSL certificates on all your sites as soon as you host with them — pretty cool. If your site grows to a level where you need a premium SSL, just upgrade to one of their premium options- Single Site SSL ($49.99/yr), Wildcard SSL ($89.99/yr), Premium SSL ($179.00/yr), or Advanced SSL ($269.00/yr).
5. HostGator
HostGator is a pretty decent performer with great value-added features. This includes free email accounts, free G Suite access, a data center in India, a one-click installer, and more. It’s not particularly the best at anything but is jake of all trades...
...Jake of all trades, with one trade being a free SSL certificate. Like many others on the list, HostGator offers a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate.
6. Kinsta
We mentioned all these cheap and mid-range options, so let’s finish this piece with one at the other end of the spectrum. Kinsta is the best premium web host for WordPress sites of all sizes. Names like Ubisoft, Freshbooks, Buffer, TripAdvisor, Flippa, and more power their massive sites with Kinsta.
And Kinsta offering the free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate is kind of proof that all others offering it with their packages do so because it genuinely is of the best quality & not because it’s free.
What is SSL Certificate?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that confirms the identity of a website and encrypts data sent to the server.
How does SSL work?
This is the simplest way — at least for us — to explain how SSL works:
And the connection between the client and the server is secured.
How to choose the best SSL Provider?
If you plan to purchase an SSL certificate from an external provider (than your host), make sure the answers to these questions is yes:
Conclusion
SSL certificates are essential these days. Without it, neither the search engine algorithm nor your potential customer/client trust your website. Therefore, many web hosting companies include it as a part of the package. And these are the best amongst those:
Which one do you think is ideal for your site? Let us know if you can’t decide on one yet or read our other reviews.
From
₹119*
monthly
• Best uptime (99.99%)
• Fast, 0.4ms load time as average
• Good & quick customer support