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DigiCert Private CA vs Let's Encrypt

DigiCert Private CA

digicert.com

Let's Encrypt

letsencrypt.org

Side by side

FigureDigiCert Private CALet's Encrypt
Price from—Free
Free plan—Yes
Free trial——
Open source—Yes
WebYesYes
Windows—Yes
macOS—Yes
LinuxYesYes
APIYesYes
Self-hostedYesYes
Plans published13
Spec score · Public Key Infrastructure Software7.4 (#15)8.6 (#3)
AutomationThe 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.
IntegrationsPrivate 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.
SupportDigiCert 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

DigiCert Private CA

  • DigiCert Private CAPriced on request

DigiCert Private CA pricing →

Let's Encrypt

  • Let's Encrypt certificatesFree
  • Let's Encrypt certificatesFree
  • Short-lived certificatesFree

Let's Encrypt pricing →

In their own words

DigiCert Private CA

DigiCert Private CA has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.

Visit digicert.com

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.

Visit letsencrypt.org