Overview
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in New Jersey, United States, Comodo CA was one of the first certificate authorities to offer low-cost SSL certificates at scale. In 2020, Comodo CA was acquired by Francisco Partners and rebranded as Sectigo, with the Comodo brand gradually transitioning to Sectigo. To date, Comodo CA / Sectigo has issued over 100 million SSL certificates, making it one of the most widely adopted CAs globally by market share.
Comodo CA / Sectigo Corporation is best known in the SSL Certificate space for its PositiveSSL and EssentialSSL product lines, which combine ultra-low pricing with fast automated issuance workflows.
Key Strengths
- Unbeatable Value with PositiveSSL: PositiveSSL DV certificates start at ~$5/year per domain, among the lowest prices in the market. Automated domain validation enables issuance in as fast as 3 minutes.
- Full-Spectrum Certificate Coverage: From entry-level DV (PositiveSSL) and business-grade OV (InstantSSL Premium) to enterprise EV (True EV SSL), plus Wildcard and Multi-Domain (SAN/UCC) options for any deployment scenario.
- High Automation & Fast Issuance: DV certificates are fully automated; OV and EV certificates are typically validated and issued within 24 hours, placing Comodo/Sectigo among the fastest CAs for business-grade certificates.
- Broad Browser Compatibility: Root certificates are pre-installed in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and mobile browsers, with 99%+ global compatibility.
- 90-Day Free Trial: Offers free certificates valid for up to 90 days, ideal for developers testing SSL configurations before production deployment.
Product Ecosystem
- PositiveSSL (DV): Entry-level single domain, ~$5/year, automated domain validation
- EssentialSSL (DV): Wildcard and Multi-Domain variants, ~$10-$50/year
- InstantSSL Premium (OV): Organization validation for commercial sites, ~$40-$70/year
- True EV SSL (EV): Green address bar, highest trust level, ~$80-$150/year
- Comodo Code Signing: Code signing certificates for developer identity verification, ~$100/year
Limitations
- Brand Confusion: Comodo CA has been rebranded as Sectigo, but legacy Comodo-branded products are still sold through various resellers. Customers may be uncertain which brand provides ongoing support.
- Slow Support on Basic Plans: Only ticket-based support is available for entry-level products, with 24-48 hour response times. Live chat and phone support require more expensive enterprise plans.
- No Refunds on Budget Products: PositiveSSL and other low-cost DV products are non-refundable once issued. Customers should run compatibility checks before purchasing.
- Strict EV Verification: EV certificates require manual organization validation, which can take 1-5 business days depending on the availability of business registration documents.
Use Cases
- Personal Blogs / Small Sites (★★★★★): PositiveSSL DV at ~$5/year paired with free Let's Encrypt options enables zero-cost HTTPS deployment.
- SMB Websites (★★★★☆): InstantSSL Premium (OV) at ~$40-$70/year provides organization validation at an affordable price point, building customer trust.
- Multi-Domain / Subdomain Sites (★★★★☆): EssentialSSL Wildcard covers a domain plus all subdomains; Multi-Domain supports up to 250 SAN entries, ideal for managing multiple sites.
- E-commerce Platforms (★★★☆☆): EV certificates are reasonably priced (~$80-$150), though browser display of Comodo/Sectigo EV may not be as prominent as DigiCert or Entrust equivalents.
- Large Enterprises (★★☆☆☆): Consider DigiCert or Entrust for higher-tier trust; Comodo/Sectigo brand perception in the enterprise segment is comparatively weaker.
Pricing
| Certificate Type | Product | Annual Fee (approx.) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| DV | PositiveSSL | $5 | Single domain, 3-min auto issuance |
| DV Wildcard | EssentialSSL Wildcard | $50 | Domain + all subdomains |
| DV Multi-Domain | EssentialSSL Multi-Domain | $30 | Supports 3-250 domains |
| OV | InstantSSL Premium | $60 | Org validation, for commercial sites |
| EV | True EV SSL | $120 | Green address bar, highest trust |
Prices are estimates; actual costs may vary due to promotions, bulk discounts, or reseller policies.
FAQ
What is the relationship between Comodo CA and Sectigo?
Comodo CA was acquired by Francisco Partners in 2020 and rebranded as Sectigo. All newly issued certificates operate under the Sectigo brand, though Comodo-branded products are still sold as sub-brands in some regions.
Which is better: PositiveSSL or Let's Encrypt?
PositiveSSL costs ~$5/year with commercial support and a 90-day free trial. Let's Encrypt is free but requires automated renewal every 90 days. Choose PositiveSSL if you prefer minimal maintenance.
Does Comodo CA support Chinese-language service?
Comodo/Sectigo primarily offers support through English ticketing and email. Chinese-language support is limited; consider purchasing through authorized local resellers for localized assistance.
Which browsers trust Comodo CA certificates?
Comodo root certificates are pre-installed in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Android/iOS native browsers, with 99%+ global compatibility.