DigiCert Private CA vs Let's Encrypt
DigiCert Private CA
digicert.comLet's Encrypt
letsencrypt.orgSide by side
| Figure | DigiCert Private CA | Let's Encrypt |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Public Key Infrastructure Software | 7.4 (#15) | 8.6 (#3) |
| Automation | The Private CA API can create, import, and recertify root and intermediate CAs, configure CRL and OCSP responders, manage templates, and monitor audit logs. | The ACME protocol verifies control of a domain and is used to issue certificates; clients can automate certificate management and renewal. |
| Integrations | Private CA integrates with existing PKI tools and infrastructure, REST API workflows, and DigiCert Trust Lifecycle Manager. | Hosting providers can obtain and manage certificates for customers through their own ACME clients. |
| Support | DigiCert provides PKI specialists for installation, migration, and other support, with support documents and Monday-Friday 24/7 specialist availability. | Let’s Encrypt does not offer direct subscriber support and points users to its documentation and community support forums. |
Plans
Let's Encrypt
- Let's Encrypt certificatesFree
- Let's Encrypt certificatesFree
- Short-lived certificatesFree
In their own words
DigiCert Private CA
DigiCert Private CA has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Let's Encrypt
Let’s Encrypt is a global Certificate Authority that provides SSL/TLS certificates for HTTPS connections. The ACME protocol verifies control of a domain, and compatible clients can automate issuance, management, and renewal. Its client directory includes Apache HTTP Server, Caddy, nginx, Kubernetes, Docker, and Windows/IIS environments. Certificates are Domain Validation only; Let’s Encrypt says it does not plan to issue Organization Validation or Extended Validation certificates. Wildcard certificates are available through the DNS-01 challenge. Standard certificates last 90 days, with an optional six-day lifetime; these periods cannot be adjusted. Subscribers generate and manage private keys on their own servers. Issued and revoked certificates are publicly recorded, and the service says its certificates are trusted by most browsers and operating systems. Certificates cost nothing. A registered domain can receive up to 50 certificates every seven days under published rate limits. Direct subscriber support is not offered.