Company Overview

RapidSSL is a budget-friendly SSL certificate brand under DigiCert, originally launched by GeoTrust in 2003 to provide low-cost, quick-to-deploy Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificates for personal websites and small businesses. Through a chain of acquisitions — GeoTrust acquired by VeriSign (2006), VeriSign's authentication business acquired by Symantec (2010), Symantec CA acquired by DigiCert (2017) — RapidSSL is now operated by DigiCert.

RapidSSL's core philosophy is "fast, simple, affordable" — providing the most basic HTTPS encryption protection so any website can achieve secure communication at minimal cost.

Related providers: RapidSSL

Core Products

  • RapidSSL Standard: Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificate for single domains, issued in minutes
  • RapidSSL Wildcard: Wildcard SSL certificate securing a domain and all its subdomains

Core Strengths

Low Cost: One of the most affordable SSL certificates on the market, ideal for budget-conscious users
Fast Issuance: Automated domain validation process, typically issued within minutes
Broad Compatibility: Compatible with 99.9% of mainstream browsers and mobile devices
DigiCert Backing: Powered by DigiCert, one of the world's top Certificate Authorities
Easy Deployment: Simple installation on Apache, Nginx, IIS and other major web servers

Key Milestones

  • 2003: GeoTrust launched the RapidSSL brand, targeting low-cost SSL certificates
  • 2006: GeoTrust acquired by VeriSign, RapidSSL becomes a VeriSign brand
  • 2010: VeriSign's authentication business acquired by Symantec
  • 2017: Symantec CA business acquired by DigiCert, RapidSSL transitions to DigiCert
  • 2026: Continues operating under DigiCert, providing affordable SSL certificates globally

Market Position

RapidSSL competes with the following providers in the global SSL certificate market:

  • Let's Encrypt: Competes in the free DV SSL certificate space
  • Sectigo (formerly Comodo): Competes in the low-cost SSL certificate market
  • GoGetSSL: Competes for market share in budget SSL certificates
  • SSL.com: Competes in DV and OV SSL certificate market
  • DigiCert: Parent company, forms a high-low tier strategy in the enterprise SSL market
  • GlobalSign: Competes in the DV SSL certificate space