# Advantages of Let's Encrypt instead of a SSL certificates with a cost **URL:** \ **Category:** Help\ **Created:** [May 3, 2019, 12:00pm UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/advantages-of-lets-encrypt-instead-of-a-ssl-certificates-with-a-cost/92718 "2019-05-03T12:00:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pizzolanteg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/67e7ee/32.png) [@pizzolanteg](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/pizzolanteg)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2019, 12:00pm UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/advantages-of-lets-encrypt-instead-of-a-ssl-certificates-with-a-cost/92718/1 "2019-05-03T12:00:00Z")
Dear all, I would like to know what is the difference between Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate which is free and an SSL certificate (for example to Network Solution) with a cost per year ? [https://www.networksolutions.com/SSL-certificates/index.jsp](https://www.networksolutions.com/SSL-certificates/index.jsp) I am hesitating to start using Let’s encrypt, but as it is free I am a little bit worried, as this certificate will be used for our main ERP in the cloud. Thank you in advance for your help. Regards. Gianni ---
**Author:** ![JuergenAuer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/letsencrypt/user_avatar/community.letsencrypt.org/juergenauer/32/26491_2.png) [@JuergenAuer](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/JuergenAuer)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2019, 1:46pm UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/advantages-of-lets-encrypt-instead-of-a-ssl-certificates-with-a-cost/92718/2 "2019-05-03T13:46:44Z")
Hi @pizzolanteg > [@pizzolanteg](#): > > I would like to know what is the difference between Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate which is free and an SSL certificate (for example to Network Solution) with a cost per year ? one difference: Letsencrypt certificates are only 90 days valid, so you should use a client to automate the renew. Typical after 60 - 85 days. Check > **[ACME Client Implementations - Let's Encrypt](https://letsencrypt.org/docs/client-options/)** > > Last updated: Jul 22, 2023 | See all Documentation Let’s Encrypt uses the ACME protocol to verify that you control a given domain name and to issue you a certificate. To get a Let’s Encrypt certificate, you’ll need to choose a piece... If you buy a certificate, the validation is typical done by sending a mail to `hostmaster@yourdomain` (or one of some other special mail addresses) with a long link. And you have to upload a CSR manual. Then the public key + signature is sent back via mail, so you have to install the certificate manual. The "Guarantee"? I've never understood that. Letsencrypt only offers domain validated certificate, no OV or EV. My personal position: Domain validated certificates are enough. ---
**Author:** ![schoen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/letsencrypt/user_avatar/community.letsencrypt.org/schoen/32/79_2.png) [@schoen](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/schoen)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/advantages-of-lets-encrypt-instead-of-a-ssl-certificates-with-a-cost/92718/3 "2019-05-03T16:30:08Z")
I gave my opinions on this at > [@Trying To Get My Hosting Provider To Install They Issued A CSR But Not Sure What To Do Next](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/trying-to-get-my-hosting-provider-to-install-they-issued-a-csr-but-not-sure-what-to-do-next/60970/3): > > H… ---
**Author:** ![danb35](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/letsencrypt/user_avatar/community.letsencrypt.org/danb35/32/70869_2.png) [@danb35](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/danb35)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2019, 10:42pm UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/advantages-of-lets-encrypt-instead-of-a-ssl-certificates-with-a-cost/92718/4 "2019-05-03T22:42:57Z")
> [@JuergenAuer](#): > > The “Guarantee”? I’ve never understood that. I've been looking, and have yet to see an instance where one of these "guarantees" actually paid anything--probably because the set of circumstances under which they **would** pay is so incredibly narrow. (edit: see also: > **[Do SSL warranties protect you? As much as rocks keep tigers away...](https://scotthelme.co.uk/do-ssl-warranties-protect-you-as-much-as-rocks-keep-tigers-away/)** > > This post is the first of two that I will be publishing over the coming days to > address a few concerns that seem to be rising in the wider community. It was > recently pointed out to me that my certificate authority doesn't provide me with > a warranty... > [@pizzolanteg](#): > > I would like to know what is the difference between Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate which is free and an SSL certificate (for example to Network Solution) with a cost per year ? Other than the validity period already mentioned (which won't be an issue in a properly-setup installation, because the cert would renew automatically), Let's Encrypt doesn't issue EV certs. If you value those, [you probably shouldn't](https://www.troyhunt.com/extended-validation-certificates-are-dead/) ([really](https://scotthelme.co.uk/are-ev-certificates-worth-the-paper-theyre-written-on/)), but if you still do, you'd need to use a different CA. ---
**Author:** ![pizzolanteg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/67e7ee/32.png) [@pizzolanteg](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/pizzolanteg)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2019, 7:56am UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/advantages-of-lets-encrypt-instead-of-a-ssl-certificates-with-a-cost/92718/5 "2019-05-10T07:56:20Z")
Dear all, Thank you for all your information ! Very helpful. Regards. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/letsencrypt/original/3X/c/a/ca6c06ea1ea201324bba7048c6841ce60236468d.png) [@system](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 7:56am UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/advantages-of-lets-encrypt-instead-of-a-ssl-certificates-with-a-cost/92718/6 "2019-06-09T07:56:28Z")
Closed on June 9, 2019, 7:56am UTC This topic was automatically closed 30 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.