Free automated SSL/TLS certificates
Visit WebsiteWhat is Lets Encrypt?
Lets Encrypt is a automation tool. Let's Encrypt provides free TLS certificates automatically. HTTPS for everyone—the nonprofit that made encrypted web the default instead of the exception. The certificates are free. The automation works. The web is more secure because of it. Anyone wanting HTTPS uses Let's Encrypt because certificates shouldn't cost money. Key capabilities: Free SSL/TLS, Automated, ACME protocol, Widely trusted, Non-profit. Lets Encrypt is free to use with no paid tier. Buyers most often compare Lets Encrypt against Auth0, Hanko, Ory.
TL;DR - Lets Encrypt
- Let's Encrypt is a free certificate authority providing SSL/TLS certificates
- It automates the issuance and renewal of HTTPS certificates for any website
- Completely free, run by a non-profit
What Users Say About Lets Encrypt
Let's Encrypt made SSL/TLS certificates free for everyone — 300M+ certificates active in 2026, and it's the default issuer for most automated certificate pipelines. Users cite ACME automation (certbot, caddy, traefik all speak it) as the reason it 'just works'. The 90-day certificate lifetime is polarizing: forces automation (good) but still surprises teams that forget to set up renewal.
Highlights
- 100% free — donate-supported nonprofit operated by ISRG
- ACME protocol is the standard every major cert-management tool speaks
- 90-day certificate lifetime forces good renewal hygiene (automation beats manual)
- Rate limits are generous for most use cases (50 certs/week per registered domain)
- Wildcard certificates supported via DNS-01 challenge
Limitations
- 90-day certificates require automation — manual renewal will bite you
- Rate limits on staging can surprise teams running large test suites
- No EV (Extended Validation) certificates — only DV (Domain Validated)
- Revocation handling via OCSP is slower than commercial CAs
- Certificate transparency logs are public — exposing internal hostname patterns
Best for: Literally every HTTPS-served site in 2026 except those with a specific compliance need for EV certificates. Automation via certbot, Caddy (auto-HTTPS), or a Cloudflare/Vercel-managed certificate is the only sensible setup.
Editorial synthesis from industry coverage, product docs, and early user reports
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free SSL certificates
- Automated renewal
- Wide support
- Open source
- Industry standard
Cons
- 90-day certificates
- No wildcard easy
- Setup complexity
- Rate limits
- No warranty
Ratings Across the Web
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
Pricing Plans
Free
$0
- 100% free SSL certificates
- Automated certificate issuance
- 90-day certificate validity
- No cost for any domain
- Open source
About Lets Encrypt
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Lets Encrypt FAQ
Is Let's Encrypt free?
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Source: letsencrypt.org