At the end of 2015, the now widely known certification authority Let's Encrypt began operations. Lets Encrypt issues SSL certificates free of charge and aims to make encrypted connections on the Internet the standard. But what are the differences between Let's Encrypt and paid certificates?
Encryption is on everyone's lips today, especially when it comes to web traffic. With SSL certificates to give online users the assurance that their information is handled securely is the goal. Here the companies, whether SMEs or large corporations, must take responsibility themselves. It is not only a matter of complying with legislation, but also of the general feeling of security among customers.
This security with the handling of customer data of online users is important for companies and that not only since the entry of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018. You can find everything on this topic in our blog "EU-DSGVO: 3 main points - simply explained!”
Today, however, we are primarily concerned with the most important questions concerning the use of Let's Encrypt.
By the way, there are currently almost 88 million active Lets Encrypt certificates. These statistics, as well as other interesting facts and figures, can be found on the Lets Encrypt website: https://letsencrypt.org/stats/
There are therefore many good reasons to use the free SSL certificates. But there are also exceptional cases in which companies cannot avoid using paid certificates. The goal that Lets Encrypt has set for itself has not yet been reached, but thanks to the support of new laws with handling data, it is quite realistic.