SSL Certificate FAQ
Everything you need to know about free SSL/TLS certificates
What is an SSL/TLS certificate and why do I need one?
An SSL/TLS certificate is a digital file that encrypts data transmitted between a web browser and a web server. When installed on your server, it enables the HTTPS protocol and causes browsers to display a padlock icon in the address bar. SSL certificates protect sensitive data like login credentials, payment information, and personal details from interception. Beyond security, SSL certificates are essential for SEO rankings, as Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal. Modern browsers also display "Not Secure" warnings for HTTP-only sites.
Is this really free? What's the catch?
Yes, completely free. We use Let's Encrypt, a nonprofit Certificate Authority backed by organizations including Mozilla, EFF, Cisco, and Google. There are no hidden costs, no premium tiers, and no credit card required. Let's Encrypt has issued certificates for over 400 million websites.
How long do SSL certificates last?
Let's Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days. You can generate a new certificate anytime for free. We recommend setting a reminder to renew before expiration. freesslcert.net offers optional email reminders when your certificate is about to expire.
Are wildcard SSL certificates supported?
Yes! Select "Wildcard" as the certificate type and use DNS validation. A wildcard certificate covers your domain and all its subdomains (e.g., *.example.com covers blog.example.com, app.example.com, etc.).
What validation methods are available?
We support two validation methods: HTTP file upload (place a verification file on your web server) and DNS TXT record validation (add a TXT record to your domain's DNS). DNS validation is required for wildcard certificates.
What web servers are supported?
Our certificates work with all major web servers including Nginx, Apache, Node.js, Caddy, IIS, Tomcat, and any server that supports PEM, DER, or PKCS12 certificate formats.
Is my private key secure?
Private keys are generated on our server for the certificate issuance process, then served to you over HTTPS. All certificate data including private keys is automatically purged from our servers within 24 hours.
How do I generate a Let's Encrypt certificate without certbot?
freesslcert.net is a web-based certbot alternative. Enter your domain, verify ownership via DNS or HTTP, and download your certificate - all from your browser. No command line required.
Is this an alternative to SSLForFree.com?
Yes. SSLForFree.com was acquired by ZeroSSL in 2020 and now has limitations. freesslcert.net provides unlimited free SSL certificates with no signup, just like the original SSLForFree.