Websites using Alphassl

Okay, let s break down AlphaSSL, covering its overview, estimated revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

Overview of AlphaSSL

AlphaSSL is a brand of SSL certificates offered by DigiCert, a well-known and reputable Certificate Authority (CA). AlphaSSL primarily focuses on providing affordable and basic SSL/TLS certificates, primarily for securing websites with standard encryption needs. Here s a summary:

• Purpose: To provide a cost-effective SSL/TLS certificate solution for securing websites and enabling HTTPS.
• Target Audience: Small businesses, startups, bloggers, and individuals who need a basic level of website security without the more advanced features or higher costs of premium certificates. It is often used for internal use within companies because it is affordable to cover multiple servers and domains.
• Key Features:
  • Basic Encryption: Provides standard 256-bit encryption.
  • Domain Validation (DV): The most common type of validation, verifying that the applicant owns or controls the domain.
  • Browser Compatibility: Compatible with virtually all modern web browsers.
  • Warranty: Offers a warranty (typically around $10,000) in case of certificate failure or mis-issuance (although the actual claim process can be complex).
  • Quick Issuance: DV certificates can be issued very quickly, often within minutes.
  • Wildcard Certificates: Can secure a domain and all its first-level subdomains (e.g., *.example.com).
• Advantages:
  • Low Cost: AlphaSSL is one of the most affordable SSL certificate options on the market.
  • Fast Issuance: Ideal for quickly securing a website.
  • Easy to Install: Standard SSL certificate installation process.
• Disadvantages:
  • Limited Validation: Domain Validation only verifies domain ownership; it doesn t verify the organization s legitimacy.
  • Lower Trust Signal: DV certificates may not inspire as much trust as Organization Validation (OV) or Extended Validation (EV) certificates because they don t provide organizational information in the certificate details.
  • Basic Features: Lacks advanced features like vulnerability scanning or malware monitoring that may be included with premium certificates.

Revenue

It s very difficult to pinpoint the exact revenue of AlphaSSL as a specific brand because:

• DigiCert Ownership: AlphaSSL is a brand within the larger DigiCert portfolio. DigiCert doesn t publicly break down revenue for each individual brand.
• Indirect Sales: AlphaSSL certificates are often sold through resellers, hosting providers, and other partners. This makes it difficult to track the total sales volume.

However, we can make some general observations:

• Given AlphaSSL s focus on affordability and high volume, it likely generates a significant portion of its revenue from a large number of smaller transactions rather than a few large deals.
• SSL certificate market estimates vary, but the overall market is substantial (billions of dollars annually).

Alternatives to AlphaSSL

Here are some alternative SSL certificate providers and types:

• Let s Encrypt: A free, automated, and open Certificate Authority. Provides DV certificates. Excellent for non-profits, open source projects and anyone who cannot afford an SSL certificate.
• Sectigo (formerly Comodo CA): Another large CA offering a range of certificates, including DV, OV, and EV options.
• DigiCert (Other Brands): DigiCert itself offers other brands of SSL certificates with different validation levels and features. These are often more expensive than AlphaSSL.
• GlobalSign: A well-established CA known for its OV and EV certificates, as well as other digital security solutions.
• Entrust: Offers a comprehensive suite of security solutions, including SSL certificates.
• RapidSSL: Another budget-friendly option, also owned by DigiCert.
• Namecheap: A domain registrar that also sells SSL certificates from various CAs.
• Cloudflare: Cloudflare provides free SSL certificates as part of their CDN service. These are typically shared certificates and might not be suitable for all use cases.
• Individual Hosting Providers: Many hosting providers offer free or discounted SSL certificates as part of their hosting packages.

When choosing an alternative, consider:

• Validation Level (DV, OV, EV): How much identity verification is required?
• Warranty Amount: The financial protection offered in case of certificate failure.
• Features: Do you need wildcard support, multi-domain support (SAN certificates), or other advanced features?
• Price: Compare pricing across different providers.
• Customer Support: Is support readily available and responsive?
• Brand Reputation: Choose a reputable CA that is trusted by browsers.

Pricing

AlphaSSL is generally known for its competitive pricing. However, pricing can vary depending on:

• Reseller: The specific reseller or hosting provider you purchase from.
• Certificate Type: Wildcard certificates are typically more expensive than single-domain certificates.
• Subscription Length: Longer subscriptions (e.g., 2 years or more) often come with discounts.
• Promotions: Resellers frequently offer promotional pricing.

General Price Range (Estimates - Always Check with Resellers):

• Single-Domain DV Certificate: $5 - $20 per year (USD)
• Wildcard DV Certificate: $50 - $100 per year (USD)

Important: These are just estimates. You should always check the current pricing on the reseller s website.

Customer Care Details

Since AlphaSSL is a brand of DigiCert, customer support is typically provided through DigiCert s channels or through the reseller from whom you purchased the certificate.

• DigiCert Support: DigiCert provides support through its website, including:
  • Knowledge Base: Articles and FAQs covering common issues.
  • Support Tickets: You can submit a support ticket through the DigiCert website.
  • Phone Support: DigiCert offers phone support, but it may be limited to certain regions or certificate types. Check the DigiCert website for phone numbers.
• Reseller Support: The reseller you purchased the certificate from may offer their own support channels. This is often the first point of contact for installation and configuration issues.

To get the best support:

• Check the Reseller s Website: Look for FAQs, documentation, and contact information.
• DigiCert s Website: If you can t get help from the reseller, go to the DigiCert website for support options.
• Provide Details: When contacting support, be prepared to provide information about your domain, certificate, server environment, and the specific problem you are experiencing.

In summary, AlphaSSL is a budget-friendly option for basic website security, but it s essential to understand its limitations and compare it to alternatives based on your specific needs. Pricing and support are usually handled by resellers.