Lets Encrypt vs Magic: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Lets Encrypt and Magic side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Lets Encrypt
Free automated SSL/TLS certificates
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Magic requires payment)
Magic
Passwordless authentication SDK
Best for you if:
- • You want passwordless auth
| At a Glance | Lets Encrypt | Magic |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan, paid from $199/mo, billed monthly Auth Plus plan |
Category | Security Developer Tools | Identity & Access Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.8/5 G2 4.8 20 reviews | 4.0/5 G2 4.0 10 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Certificates valid for only 90 days | n/a |
Choose Lets Encrypt or Magic?
Choose Lets Encrypt if
- You want a fully free tool (Magic requires payment)
- You want free SSL certificates
- You want automated renewal
- You work in security, not identity & access
Choose Magic if
- You want passwordless auth
- You want easy integration
- You work in identity & access, not security
In-Depth Analysis
Lets Encrypt
Free automated SSL/TLS certificates
Let's Encrypt offers an exceptionally fair and generous pricing model, as it is entirely free.
Watch out
Certificates valid for only 90 days
Strengths
- Pro: Free SSL certificates
- Pro: Automated renewal
- Pro: Wide support
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Industry standard
Weaknesses
- Con: 90-day certificates
- Con: No wildcard easy
- Con: Setup complexity
- Con: Rate limits
- Con: No warranty
Key features
Magic
Passwordless authentication SDK
Magic's pricing starts generously with a free tier for 1000 MAUs, making it accessible for small projects.
Strengths
- Pro: Passwordless auth
- Pro: Easy integration
- Pro: Good documentation
- Pro: Web3 support
- Pro: Developer friendly
Weaknesses
- Con: Per-user pricing
- Con: Can get expensive
- Con: Vendor lock-in
- Con: Limited customization
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Plans and prices: Lets Encrypt vs Magic
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lets Encrypt |
| letsencrypt.org read Sep 29, 2026 |
| Magic |
| magic.link/pricing read Oct 27, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Lets Encrypt pricing and Magic pricing.
Key Takeaways
Lets Encrypt
- Choose if you want free automated SSL/TLS certificates
Magic
- Choose if you want passwordless authentication SDK
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.8/5 from 20 reviews for Lets Encrypt, 4.0/5 from 10 reviews for Magic; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Magic starts at $199/mo, billed monthly; Lets Encrypt has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Lets Encrypt and Magic compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.8/5 from 20 reviews for Lets Encrypt, 4.0/5 from 10 reviews for Magic; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Magic starts at $199/mo, billed monthly; Lets Encrypt has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Lets Encrypt and Magic used for?
Lets Encrypt: Free automated SSL/TLS certificates. Magic: Passwordless authentication SDK.
What does Lets Encrypt cost vs Magic?
Lets Encrypt is free. Magic's cheapest paid plan is Auth Plus at $199/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 27, 2026.
What's the main difference between Lets Encrypt and Magic?
Lets Encrypt's main strength: free SSL certificates. Magic's main strength: passwordless auth.