How much does an SSL certificate for a website cost?
A basic SSL/TLS certificate for a website costs EUR 0: Let's Encrypt issues it for free and Cloudflare includes Universal SSL at no charge for active domains.
Verifiable answer
A basic SSL/TLS certificate for a website costs EUR 0: Let's Encrypt issues it for free and Cloudflare includes Universal SSL at no charge for active domains.
- How much does an SSL certificate for a website cost?
- €0 / certificate
- €0
- Italy and online services
- 16 September 2026
- Confidence: High
- Domain-validated TLS certificate; Automatic Let's Encrypt certificate renewal; Universal SSL issue and renewal on Cloudflare
- Domain registration or renewal; Website hosting or server; Technical installation and configuration support; Paid Cloudflare plans or advanced certificates
- Domain validation method; Number and depth of subdomains; Direct server management or a CDN; Need to verify an organisation's identity
- 2 sources
Short answer
You do not need to buy a certificate to encrypt a standard website. Costs can arise from extras, a paid Cloudflare plan or a certificate that validates an organisation.
The browser padlock is not decorative: HTTPS protects credentials and other data travelling between a visitor and a website. Certificates used to be a separate annual purchase, but a DV certificate, which confirms control of a domain, is now available without a licence fee. Let's Encrypt offers it through compatible clients, while Cloudflare manages it at the edge of its network once a domain is active on the service. The approaches are not identical: one requires server configuration and automatic renewal, while the other requires traffic to pass through Cloudflare. Both nevertheless support this guide's main figure: standard HTTPS certification costs nothing.
What is included
- Domain-validated TLS certificate
- Automatic Let's Encrypt certificate renewal
- Universal SSL issue and renewal on Cloudflare
What is not included
- Domain registration or renewal
- Website hosting or server
- Technical installation and configuration support
- Paid Cloudflare plans or advanced certificates
How the price breaks down
| Item | Type | Frequency | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| DV TLS certificateA domain-validated certificate can be obtained from Let's Encrypt without a purchase price. | Compulsory | one-off | €0 |
| Universal SSL renewalCloudflare renews the certificate at no charge while the domain remains active on its platform. | Optional | per year | €0 |
What the price depends on
- Domain validation method
- Number and depth of subdomains
- Direct server management or a CDN
- Need to verify an organisation's identity
Hidden costs
- An expired domain prevents certificate renewal
- Incorrect HTTPS setup can trigger warnings despite a valid certificate
- Deeper subdomains may need different Cloudflare coverage
Three realistic scenarios
Let's Encrypt site
€0
The owner controls DNS or the server, proves domain control and configures automatic renewal.
Cloudflare site
€0
The domain is active on Cloudflare and Universal SSL protects the apex domain and first-level subdomains.
Special business requirement
€0
The basic certificate stays free, while organisation validation or outside management must be priced separately.
How to spend less
- Enable automatic renewal before the first certificate expiry.
- Confirm that you control the domain and DNS before starting validation.
- For a simple site, use a free DV certificate instead of a commercial product with the same encryption function.
- When using Cloudflare, check that the domain is active and pages do not load mixed HTTP resources.
Frequently asked questions
Is a free SSL certificate secure?
Yes. Let's Encrypt and Cloudflare issue publicly trusted certificates for ordinary HTTPS encryption. A free certificate proves control of the domain; it does not verify a company's commercial identity.
Do I need to renew an SSL certificate every year?
A certificate must be renewed before it expires, but renewal can be automatic and free. The price remains zero only if the domain, DNS and configuration allow the service to complete verification.
Does an SSL certificate include domain and hosting?
No. The certificate encrypts the connection to a domain, while domain registration, hosting, servers and support are separate services. They are usually what create the real cost of a website.
Sources and methodology
How we worked it out
We checked documentation from two providers. Let's Encrypt, a nonprofit certificate authority, says its TLS certificates are free and requires proof of domain control. Cloudflare says Universal SSL is issued and renewed free of charge for domains added to and activated on its service. The EUR 0 figure covers a DV certificate and renewal, not a domain name, hosting, an OV or EV certificate, technical installation or optional Cloudflare products. Those separate services are not presented as a compulsory certificate cost.
Why this confidence level
Confidence is High for the EUR 0 price because two official providers explicitly state that issue and renewal of their TLS certificates are free. Optional services depend on the selected setup and are not given the same certainty.
Free TLS certificates issued by Let's Encrypt
Let's Encrypt: free automated TLS certificates (opens in a new tab)
Internet Security Research Group · Official tariff · Verified on 16 September 2026
The certificate authority confirms that its TLS certificates are free and that applicants must prove control of the domain.
Authority4/5
Free Universal SSL certificates for active Cloudflare domains
Cloudflare Universal SSL (opens in a new tab)
Cloudflare · Official tariff · Verified on 16 September 2026
The documentation states that issue and renewal are free; standard coverage includes the apex domain and first-level subdomains.
Authority4/5
Revision history
First published on 16 September 2026 after checking the free terms of Let's Encrypt and Cloudflare Universal SSL.
- 16 September 2026
- 16 September 2026
- 16 March 2027
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