The Cheapest SSL Extended Validation (EV) Certificates

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An Extended Validation or EV certificate is a certificate that verifies the legitimacy of both your domain and your company. It's the highest level of certification you can obtain for a website, and it is vitally important for sites such as banks and others dealing with money or securities. When a site has an EV certificate, the URL is displayed with a green address bar and your company name in the browser.

Although you can buy an EV certificate for one year, authorities offer discounts—sometimes significant ones—for multi-year purchases. EV certificates can be expensive, but the certificates listed here are among the most affordable.

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DigiCert Extended Validation SSL Certificate

Certificate: DigiCert Extended Validation SSL Certificate
Issuance: Within a few hours
Green Bar: Yes
Validation: Domain and company
Warranty: $1,000,000
Refund: 30 days

DigiCert promises it can issue an Extended Validation certificate within a few hours—up to 8 times faster than competitors—and is widely considered to be the fastest SSL available. If you need an EV certificate quickly, this is a good choice. This certificate is compatible with all major browsers and mobile devices.

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GoDaddy Extended Validation EV SSL Certificate

Certificate: GoDaddy Extended Validation EV SSL Certificate
Issuance: Within two to four business days
Green Bar: Yes
Validation: Domain and company
Warranty: $1,000,000
Refund: None

If you already have a GoDaddy hosting or DNS account, then adding Extended Validation with the company makes sense. If you want to keep all your things in one place, GoDaddy offers many services including EV certification. GoDaddy certificates offer the strongest encryption on the market, and the company provides unlimited 24/7 security support.

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StartCom StartSSL Extended Validation

Certificate: StartCom StartSSL Extended Validation
Issuance: Within four days
Green Bar: Yes
Validation: Domain and company
Warranty: Information not available
Refund: None

The StartSSL Extended Validation is structured differently from other certificate sellers. A single fee includes unlimited Class 4 EV SSL certificates along with unlimited Class 3 OV SSL certificates, unlimited Class 3 Organization Client certificates and one Class 3 Code Signing certificate.

StartCom operates globally and is the sixth largest certificate authority in the world.

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GeoTrust True BusinessID with EV

Certificate: GeoTrust True BusinessID with EV
Issuance: One to 10 days
Green Bar: Yes
Validation: Domain and company
Warranty: $1,500,000
Refund: 7 days

While NameCheap offers resold options of Comodo products with a higher warranty, GeoTrust has the highest warranty for certificates purchased directly from a certificate authority. If you want the GeoTrust name and business as well as a high warranty, this is a good choice.

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Namecheap Comodo EV SSL

Certificate: Namecheap Comodo EV SSL
Issuance: 10 business days
Green Bar: Yes
Validation: Domain and company
Warranty: $1,750,000
Refund: 15 days

Namecheap is a reseller of SSL certificates. It offers a cheaper price than the one from the originator of the certificates. Some people don't like purchasing through a reseller. However, this is a great way to get an affordable EV certificate.

The Comodo EV SSL is for a single domain. With up to 256-bit encryption, it is good for e-commerce, corporate, NGO and government websites. Browser support is 99.9 percent and the certificate includes mobile support.

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NamecheapComodo EV Multi-Domain SSL

Certificate: Namecheap Comodo EV Multi-Domain SSL
Issuance: 10 business days
Green Bar: Yes
Validation: Domain and company
Warranty: $1,750,000
Refund: 15 days

With this certificate from Namecheap, you can secure up to 100 domains or subdomains on the same certificate. With up to 256-bit encryption, 99.9 percent browser support and mobile support, this certificate is good for e-commerce, corporate, NGL and government websites with multiple domains.