Compare SSL certificates: DV, OV and EV explained
Last updated: 31 December 2025
Which SSL certificate do you need?
An SSL certificate is essential for every website, but there are significant differences between types. Your choice depends on your website type, budget, and the level of trust your visitors need.
The three types of SSL certificates
Domain Validation (DV)
DV certificates are the simplest and cheapest option. The Certificate Authority (CA) only verifies that you own the domain. This usually happens via email or DNS record.
Features:
- Issued within minutes
- Price: free (Let's Encrypt) to €50 per year
- Shows a padlock in the browser
- No company name visible
Suitable for: blogs, portfolio sites, small websites
Organization Validation (OV)
With OV certificates, the CA also verifies your business details. This means more thorough verification, but also more trust for visitors.
Features:
- Issued within 1-3 days
- Price: €100-€300 per year
- Company name visible in certificate details
- Manual verification required
Suitable for: business websites, B2B platforms
Extended Validation (EV)
EV certificates offer the highest level of verification. The CA extensively checks the legal, physical, and operational identity of your organization.
Features:
- Issued within 1-2 weeks
- Price: €200-€1000 per year
- Strict verification requirements
- Highest level of browser trust
Suitable for: online stores, banks, financial institutions
Comparison table
| Feature | DV | OV | EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verification | Domain | Domain + business | Extensive |
| Issue time | Minutes | 1-3 days | 1-2 weeks |
| Price per year | €0-50 | €100-300 | €200-1000 |
| Company name visible | No | In details | In details |
| Warranty | €10,000 | €100,000 | €1,500,000 |
Which providers are reliable?
Most Dutch hosting providers offer SSL certificates through partnerships with major CAs:
- Let's Encrypt - Free DV certificates, auto-renewal
- Sectigo (Comodo) - Wide range of DV, OV and EV
- DigiCert - Premium certificates for enterprise
- GlobalSign - Popular with large organizations
Our recommendation
For most websites, a free Let's Encrypt certificate is sufficient. Starting an online store? Consider an OV certificate for extra trust. EV is only necessary when handling sensitive financial data.
Choose a hosting provider that offers free SSL and automatic renewal. This prevents your certificate from unexpectedly expiring.
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