What's the Difference Between Free and Paid SSL Certificates — and Why Do Prices Vary So Much? (opens in new tab)

When people first encounter SSL certificates, they often ask the same question: If a free SSL certificate can already make a website HTTPS and browsers show it as a secure connection, why do paid SSL certificates exist — some costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars? Is there actually a security difference, or is it just brand markup? In most cases, free and paid certificates are equally effective at encrypting communications. Whether data gets encrypted when a user visits your site depe...