Best Let’s Encrypt SSL Hosting 2019

If you’re looking for the best Let’s Encrypt SSL hosting, here are our top recommendations. I personally use these web hosting companies that include free Let’s Encrypt SSL with their hosting plans. More and more web hosts are including Let’s Encrypt SSL these days. However, there is a big difference in which web hosting company you choose.

Here’s a closer look at Let’s Encrypt SSL and the best hosting companies to choose from.

Introduction: Why You Need SSL

Today, every website needs SSL. If your website isn’t utilizing the https protocol, you’re taking a hit in both the search engines and web browsers. You definitely want to avoid having your website labeled as unsecure!

In the past, purchasing and implementing your SSL certificate was an expensive and timely process. However, that’s all changed with Let’s Encrypt SSL.

What is Let’s Encrypt SSL?

Let’s Encrypt is a service provided by the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG). The goal is to create a more secure Web that is privacy-respecting. With Let’s Encrypt, domain owners can get an SSL certificate at no extra cost.

How Does Let’s Encrypt SSL Work?

Let’s Encrypt utilizes a certificate management agent running on a web server, allowing an HTTPS server to be set up and obtain a browser trusted certificate. However, the good news is that you don’t have to worry about any of that. Your web host offering free Let’s Encrypt SSL will automatically setup the certificate for your domain and in most cases, take care of renewing your certificate when the time comes.

Pros and Cons of Let’s Encrypt SSL

While Let’s Encrypt SSL is the perfect choice for many website, there are advantages and disadvantages to using their free SSL certificates. The big benefits are that you can get Let’s Encrypt SSL free from your web host. And, they will automatically install the SSL on your domains.

However, Let’s Encrypt is not generally recommended for eCommerce or highly sensitive information sites. In these cases, it’s best to go with a paid premium certificate from a company such as Comodo or GeoTrust.

The other scenario where there might be an issue is if you need a Wildcard SSL Certificate to cover multiple subdomains. In the past, Let’s Encrypt did not offer a wildcard SSL certificate. But that has since changed, and Let’s Encrypt does now feature wildcard SSL. However, at this point only a select number of web hosts are offering it. So, your preferred web hosting company may only include the standard Let’s Encrypt SSL.

In most other cases, using a Let’s Encrypt SSL Certificate is fine for your website.

Let’s Encrypt SSL Hosting Recommendations

Here are my recommendations if you’re looking for a web hosting plan that includes free Let’s Encrypt SSL. I use all of these web hosts myself, so I know from personal experience how well their SSL and other security features perform.

Let’s Encrypt Non-Wildcard SSL

If you’re looking for the standard Let’s Encrypt SSL, I recommend A2 Hosting or Bluehost.

A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting is really outstanding in many ways. We use A2 Hosting for our site, and I’ve always been completely satisfied with their service and support. Speed and security are two areas that A2 Hosting really focuses on. Their Turbo and Swift servers along with the A2 Optimized environment produce fast performing websites with fast loading times.

On the security side, A2 Hosting automatically installs Let’s Encrypt SSL on your domains, so you don’t have to worry about it. Plus, A2 includes their proactive perpetual security with dual web hosting firewall, security monitoring, virus scanning, and brute force defense.

A2 Hosting Security Features:

• Free Let’s Encrypt SSL
• Perpetual Security
• 24/7 Security Monitoring
• Brute Force Defense
• Dual Web Hosting Firewall
• Virus Scanning
• Server Hardening
• Patchman Enhanced Security Tool
• Optimized Enhanced Security for WordPress
• Quadruple Redundant Network
• 24/7 Network Monitoring
• Server Rewind Backups
• Redundant Power by UPS Diesel Generator

Visit the A2 Hosting Website Here

Bluehost

Bluehost is especially ideal for WordPress users starting out with their first website. They include some great features and definitely simplify the process of creating your first WordPress site. And I really like their customized WordPress dashboard that gives you easy access to all the functionality you need when building and maintaining your website. The Let’s Encrypt SSL is automatically added to your domains at Bluehost.

Bluehost Security Features:

• Free Let’s Encrypt SSL
• Automatic Data Backups
• 24/7 Network Monitoring
• UPS Power Backup
• Diesel Generator Backup Power

Visit the Bluehost Website Here

Let’s Encrypt Wildcard SSL:

If you specifically need wildcard SSL from Let’s Encrypt, then I recommend either SiteGround or GreenGeeks.

SiteGround

SiteGround provides some of the most impressive and affordable managed web hosting features that you’ll find anywhere. And they continue to roll our improvements and new features for their customers—including Let’s Encrypt Wildcard SSL. SiteGround automatically issues Let’s Encrypt SSL on most domains pointed to their servers. If needed, you can initiate the installation (as well as upgrade from standard Let’s Encrypt to Wildcard) yourself via cPanel.

SiteGround Security Features:

• Let’s Encrypt Wildcard SSL
• Pro-Active Server Monitoring
• Secure Account Isolation
• Brute Force Protection via Artificial Intelligence Anti-Bot
• Redundant Electrical Systems
• High End Physical Security at Facilities
• Free Daily Backup

Visit the SiteGround Website Here

GreenGeeks

While GreenGeeks has been the industry standard for green web hosting powered by 300% renewable energy, they have revamped their shared hosting platform to include many improvements for speed and security. For quite a while they didn’t offer Let’s Encrypt SSL. But one of the reasons for that is they were waiting for the availability of Let’s Encrypt’s Wildcard SSL. So now along with their excellent hosting and support, you can also get wildcard SSL at GreenGeeks.

GreenGeeks Security Features:

• Let’s Encrypt Wildcard SSL
• Pro-Active Server Monitoring
• Real-Time Security Scanning
• Linux Secure File System
• Advanced Threat Analysis
• Hosting Account Isolation

Visit the GreenGeeks Website Here