USD 
GBP 
CAD 
INR 
AUD 
SGD 
SAN SSL Certificate Vs. Wildcard SSL: Understand the difference between Wildcard SSL vs SAN SSL Certificate (Multi-Domain) before purchasing an SSL certificate to secure your subdomains or multiple sites.
There was a time when we needed to purchase separate SSL certificates for all our websites and subdomains. This used to result in a significant amount of administrative work and cost. Fortunately, that’s not the case anymore. Today, we have products like wildcard SSL certificates and Multi-Domain (SAN/UCC) certificates to help secure all sub-domains and multiple different domains with a single certificate.
However, many users still struggle to clearly understand the difference between these two certificate types and which one should be used. In this article, we’ll break down the differences between Wildcard SSL and Multi-Domain (SAN) SSL certificates and explain where each option makes the most sense. Let’s begin.
What is Wildcard SSL Certificate?
A Wildcard SSL certificate secures one primary domain and all its first-level subdomains under a single certificate.
For example, you purchase wildcard certificate issued to https://*.yoursite.com. That single asterisk covers subdomains like
- https://blog.yoursite.com
- https://www.yoursite.com
- https://any.yoursite.com
- https://email.yoursite.com
and any other first-level subdomain you create later.
What is Multi-Domain (SAN) SSL Certificate?
A Multi-Domain SSL certificate secures multiple fully qualified domain names under one certificate.
This certificate lists each domain inside the Subject Alternative Name (SAN) field. Every domain you add becomes part of the certificate itself.
For example, one certificate can secure:
- https://www.example99.co.uk
- https://dev.example2.net
- https://www.example.com
They don’t have to share the same root domain. Completely different domain names can sit on the same certificate, as long as they’re owned by the same organization.
Most providers include a few domains by default and allow you to add more SAN entries during the certificate’s lifespan. Each additional domain is explicitly listed. If it’s not in the SAN field, it’s not covered.
You’ll also see these certificates called UCC (Unified Communications Certificates), especially in Microsoft Exchange environments. Technically, they’re the same thing the difference is only in name.
Wildcard SSL vs Multi-Domain SSL – Key Differences
Both Wildcard and Multi Domain (SAN) SSL Certificate have their own advantages and limitations. Here we’ll try to explore those benefits and limitations in greater detail:
| Wildcard SSL Certificate | Multi-Domain SSL Certificate |
| Benefits of Wildcard Certificates | Benefits of Multi-Domain (SAN) certificates |
| Wildcard character (*) just before fully qualified domain name allows protection of unlimited sub-domains that makes it more flexible solution for webmasters. | Multi-Domain SAN certificates are intended to protect multiple domains with a single certificate. As you can expect, this leads to easy maintenance and reduced administrative costs. |
| The main advantage of wildcard certificates is that maintaining them is very easy. That is because you need to manage one certificate only for all your present and future sub-domains. This leads to less administrative cost. | It can protect different domain names like example1.com, example2.org, mail.exmaple3.com, shop.online.exmaple4.com, example99.com. where each domain names are counted as separate SAN names. |
| Limitations of Wildcard Certificates | Limitations of Multi-Domain SAN certificates |
| A major limitation of wildcard certificates is that they can protect sub-domains at one specific domain level only. For example, you can protect sub.example.com, domain. example.com or other similar sub-domains with a wildcard certificate generated for example.com, but that certificate won’t work for sub.example2.com, login.sub.example.com or any other sub-domain that’s more than one level away from the root domain. | There’s a limit on how many domains you can protect with these certificates. Majority certificate authorities in the market won’t allow you to protect more than 250 domains. Some of them come with even more restrictions and allow protecting up to 25 domains only. That’s not too much of a problem though, because unless you’re running a huge enterprise, you won’t need to create more than 250 different domains. |
| Most Multi-Domain SSL certificate prices include the limited number of SAN entries, you need to pay extra for additional SAN licenses. |
When to Use Wildcard Certificates and Multi-Domain SSL
Use Multi-Domain (SAN) SSL when:
- You run multiple distinct domains and need them under one certificate. Retail setups with separate regional sites or brand domains fit this pattern.
- You want one certificate across multiple servers. A single SAN certificate can secure domains and subdomains even when they live on different servers. It keeps encryption and authentication consistent without duplicating certificates.
- You operate mail infrastructure across multiple domains. Email systems involve sensitive traffic, and SAN certificates help secure that communication.
- You must secure internal server names inside private networks. Multi-Domain certificates can protect these internal names as long as your organization owns the domain.
Best Multi-Domain SSL Certificates
| Product Name | Coverage Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| PrimeSSL Multi-Domain Certificate | Domain Validation | $18.00/yr |
| Comodo UCC/SAN/Multi-Domain SSL | Domain Validation | $40.00/yr |
| Sectigo PositiveSSL Multi Domain Certificate | Domain Validation | $40.00/yr |
| GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium Certificate (FLEX) | Domain Validation | $60.00/yr |
| Thawte SSL Web Server Certificate(FLEX) | Organization Validation | $100.00/yr |
| PrimeSSL EV Multi-Domain Certificate | Extended Validation | $210.00/yr |
| Sectigo EV Multi Domain SSL | Extended Validation | $240.00/yr |
| Thawte EV SSL Certificate (FLEX) | Extended Validation | $200.00/yr |
| DigiCert Basic EV SSL Certificate | Extended Validation | $400.00/yr |
| DigiCert Secure Site EV SSL Certificate | Extended Validation | $950.00/yr |
| DigiCert Secure Site Pro SSL Certificate | Organization Validation | $1000.00/yr |
| DigiCert Secure Site Pro EV SSL Certificate | Extended Validation | $1600.00/yr |
Use Wildcard SSL when:
- You need unlimited first-level subdomains under one domain. If your structure relies on store.example.com, blog.example.com, and similar subdomains, a wildcard certificate handles it.
- Your environment is dynamic and subdomains appear regularly. Instead of provisioning new certificates each time, the wildcard covers everything beneath the main domain.
- You want operational simplicity. One certificate for all subdomains reduces installation and renewal overhead compared to managing multiple single-domain certificates.
- Cost efficiency matters, covering unlimited subdomains with one certificate is typically cheaper than buying separate certificates for each subdomain.
Wildcard certificates are practical when subdomains dominate your structure. Multi-Domain certificates are practical when multiple distinct domains or complex server setups need coverage under one solution.
Best Wildcard Options
| Product Name | Coverage Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| PrimeSSL DV Wildcard Certificate | Domain Control Validation | $35.00/yr |
| Sectigo PositiveSSL Wildcard | Domain Control Validation | $50.00/yr |
| AlphaSSL Wildcard Certificate | Domain Control Validation | $40.00/yr |
| RapidSSL Wildcard Certificate | Domain Control Validation | $90.00/yr |
| Sectigo EssentialSSL Wildcard | Domain Control Validation | $80.00/yr |
| PrimeSSL OV Wildcard Certificate | Organization Validation | $200.00/yr |
| GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium Wildcard SSL (FLEX) | Domain Control Validation | $325.00/yr |
| Thawte SSL123 Wildcard Certificate (FLEX) | Domain Control Validation | $250.00/yr |
| GlobalSign Domain SSL Wildcard | Domain Control Validation | $320.00/yr |
| Sectigo Premium SSL Wildcard Certificate | Organization Validation | $275.00/yr |
| Thawte Wildcard SSL Certificate (FLEX) | Organization Validation | $300.00/yr |
| GlobalSign OV Wildcard SSL Certificate (FLEX) | Organization Validation | $480.00/yr |
| GeoTrust TBID Wildcard SSL Certificate (FLEX) | Organization Validation | $400.00/yr |
| DigiCert Basic OV Wildcard SSL | Organization Validation | $800.00/yr |
| DigiCert Secure Site Wildcard SSL Certificate | Organization Validation | $2000.00/yr |
Conclusion
Multi-Domain (SAN) SSL certificates and Wildcard SSL certificates solve different problems. If you run separate domains or need coverage across multiple hostnames, SAN makes sense. If your structure revolves around subdomains and you want one certificate to cover all of them, wildcard is the practical choice.
Related Articles:
