Wildcard and Single Site SSL Certificates Compared

Choosing the right SSL Certificate type matters for both security and cost. Two of the most common choices are the Single Site SSL Certificate and the Wildcard SSL Certificate, and they suit very different website structures.

A Single Site SSL Certificate secures one name. A Wildcard SSL Certificate secures one domain and every first-level subdomain beneath it. Both carry the same encryption, so the real decision is about coverage, not strength.

Trustico® offers both, in Trustico® branded and Sectigo® branded lines, with each SSL Certificate issued by the Certificate Authority (CA).

Single Site SSL Certificates

A Single Site SSL Certificate, also called a Single Domain or Standard SSL Certificate, secures one specific domain or subdomain. It suits a single website, a landing page, or one application served under a single name.

Single Site SSL Certificates are available at every validation level, namely Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV). Each level applies the same encryption and differs only in how thoroughly the business behind the name is checked. Explore the Trustico® Single Site SSL Certificate Range 🔗

Wildcard SSL Certificates

A Wildcard SSL Certificate secures one primary domain and every first-level subdomain under it, using an asterisk label such as *.example.com. One SSL Certificate then covers blog.example.com, shop.example.com, and any subdomain added later.

That automatic coverage is the appeal : new subdomains are protected without ordering or installing anything new. A Wildcard SSL Certificate carries the same encryption as a Single Site SSL Certificate, so the difference is reach rather than strength. Learn About Wildcard SSL Certificates 🔗

The Core Difference in Coverage

A Single Site SSL Certificate covers only the exact names written into it, so each new name needs its own SSL Certificate. A Wildcard SSL Certificate matches any first-level subdomain of its domain through the asterisk label, without listing them one by one.

One limit is worth noting : a wildcard covers a single level. An entry of *.example.com covers shop.example.com but not cart.shop.example.com, which would need its own wildcard or its own entry.

Security Tradeoffs

Separate Single Site SSL Certificates keep their keys isolated, so a problem with one does not touch the others. A Wildcard SSL Certificate is a single SSL Certificate with one Private Key, installed on every server that answers for a covered subdomain.

That shared key is the tradeoff. If it is exposed, every subdomain on the Wildcard SSL Certificate is affected, and a reissue with a fresh key is the fix. Keep the Private Key tightly controlled wherever the Wildcard SSL Certificate is installed. Learn About Private Key Security 🔗

Revocation follows the same pattern. A Single Site SSL Certificate can be revoked on its own, while revoking a Wildcard SSL Certificate affects every subdomain it covers at once.

Validation Levels

The validation levels available differ between the two. A Single Site SSL Certificate can be issued at Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), or Extended Validation (EV).

A Wildcard SSL Certificate is offered at Domain Validation (DV) and Organization Validation (OV) only. Extended Validation (EV) is not available on a Wildcard SSL Certificate, a Certificate Authority (CA) rule tied to the shared wildcard coverage, so a Single Site SSL Certificate is the route to Extended Validation (EV). Learn About Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates 🔗

Cost and Management

A Single Site SSL Certificate usually costs less on its own, but the total rises as subdomains multiply, since each needs its own SSL Certificate. A Wildcard SSL Certificate has one cost that covers every current and future subdomain of its domain.

Management scales the same way. Several Single Site SSL Certificates mean several expiry dates and installations to track, while one Wildcard SSL Certificate is a single SSL Certificate to follow. The more subdomains involved, the more the wildcard tends to win on effort.

Choosing Between Them

Pick a Single Site SSL Certificate for one name, a handful of fixed names, or anywhere Extended Validation (EV) is needed. Pick a Wildcard SSL Certificate for one domain with many subdomains, or where new subdomains appear often.

Many organizations use both, with an Extended Validation (EV) Single Site SSL Certificate on the main public site and a Wildcard SSL Certificate across internal or development subdomains. Explore the Trustico® Wildcard SSL Certificate Range 🔗