Yes, Hostinger sells SSL certificates. But the short answer is more useful when you know the full picture: Hostinger gives you a free SSL certificate with every hosting plan, and it also sells paid SSL certificates for those who need extra features like wildcard coverage or higher validation levels. You can buy a paid SSL directly through your Hostinger dashboard, or you can stick with the free option that's included at no extra cost.
This article covers everything you need to know about Hostinger's SSL offerings: what types are available, how much they cost, when a paid certificate makes sense, and how to get one set up. By the end, you'll know exactly which option fits your site.
Quick summary
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Short answer | Yes, Hostinger sells SSL certificates (paid) and also provides free SSL certificates with every hosting plan. |
| Applies to | All Hostinger hosting plans – shared, cloud, VPS, and WordPress. |
| Best for | Anyone who needs a web security certificate, from a single blog to a multi‑subdomain e‑commerce site. |
| Watch out for | The free SSL (Let's Encrypt) is automatically renewed and covers one domain. For subdomains or wildcard coverage, you need a paid certificate. |
Does Hostinger sell SSL certificates? The full breakdown
Hostinger does sell SSL certificates. More precisely, Hostinger offers two distinct paths to get an SSL certificate on your site.
Path 1: Free SSL (included with every plan). Every hosting account at Hostinger comes with a free SSL certificate powered by Let's Encrypt. This is a Domain Validation (DV) certificate that secures the connection between your visitors and your site. It's activated automatically on most plans, or you can enable it with a single click in hPanel.
The free certificate covers one domain (for example, example.com and its www version). It renews automatically every 90 days, so you don't have to manage it manually.
Path 2: Paid SSL certificates (sold separately). If you need more than a basic DV certificate, Hostinger sells premium SSL certificates from Sectigo (formerly Comodo). These are the same certificates you would buy from any other SSL vendor. Hostinger offers three main types: Positive SSL, Wildcard SSL, and EV SSL (Extended Validation).
You can purchase them directly from your Hostinger dashboard, and they are installed on your hosting account with a few clicks.
Types of SSL certificates Hostinger offers
Hostinger's paid SSL options cover the most common scenarios. Here's what each one does.
Positive SSL (Domain Validation). This is the same validation level as the free Let's Encrypt certificate, but it comes with a warranty and a longer validity period (up to one year). It's a good choice if you want a single‑domain DV certificate without the 90‑day renewal cycle. The price is low, around $10 per year, though it may vary during promotions.
Wildcard SSL. A wildcard certificate secures your main domain plus an unlimited number of subdomains. For example, a single wildcard certificate for *.example.com covers blog.example.com, shop.example.com, mail.example.com, and so on. This is the most common reason to buy a paid SSL from Hostinger, because the free Let's Encrypt certificate does not support wildcard.
If you run a site with multiple subdomains, you need a wildcard SSL. Hostinger's wildcard SSL costs around $50 per year.
EV SSL (Extended Validation). This is the highest level of validation. The certificate authority checks the legal identity of the organisation behind the site. Browsers display the organisation name in the address bar, often in green.
EV SSL is mainly used by banks, e‑commerce sites, and other high‑trust environments. Hostinger sells EV SSL for around $100 per year. Most small to medium sites don't need this level.
All of these paid certificates are installed on your Hostinger account. You don't need to buy them from a third‑party vendor and then struggle with manual installation. Hostinger handles the installation process for you after purchase.
Free SSL vs paid SSL: what's the difference?
The table below summarises the key differences. You can use this to decide which one fits your needs.
| Feature | Free SSL (Let's Encrypt) | Paid SSL (Positive / Wildcard / EV) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0 – included with any hosting plan | Starts at ~$10/year (Positive), ~$50/year (Wildcard), ~$100/year (EV) |
| Validation level | Domain Validation (DV) | DV (Positive), DV (Wildcard), Extended Validation (EV SSL) |
| Domain coverage | One domain (+ www subdomain) | Single domain (Positive), unlimited subdomains (Wildcard), single domain (EV) |
| Validity period | 90 days, auto‑renews | 1 year (or 2 years, depending on purchase) |
| Warranty | None | $10k–$1.5M depending on certificate type |
| Browser indicator | Padlock only | Padlock (Positive / Wildcard) or organisation name in green bar (EV) |
| Installation | Automatic or one‑click in hPanel | Purchased in hPanel, installed automatically |
| Renewal | Automatic, no action needed | Manual renewal each year, or you can set auto‑renew |
Note: The free SSL from Let's Encrypt is perfectly adequate for the vast majority of websites. You only need to pay for an SSL when you require wildcard coverage or Extended Validation.
How much does a paid SSL cost on Hostinger?
Pricing changes periodically, but the typical ranges are as follows. These are the prices I've seen consistently over the past year.
- Positive SSL: $9.99, $14.99 per year.
- Wildcard SSL: $49.99, $59.99 per year.
- EV SSL: $99.99, $129.99 per year.
You can sometimes get a discount when you bundle the SSL with a new hosting plan, or during promotional periods. Check the official Hostinger SSL page for the exact current pricing.
Important caveat: The prices above are for the first year. Renewal may be at a slightly higher rate, though Hostinger is transparent about renewal costs. You can also buy a multi‑year certificate (2 years) to lock in a lower rate.
How to buy and install an SSL on Hostinger
The process is straightforward. You don't need to be a technical expert.
For the free SSL:
- Log into your Hostinger hPanel.
- Go to the SSL section (usually found under "Security" or "Hosting").
- Toggle the Let's Encrypt option on for your domain.
- Wait a few minutes for the certificate to issue and install.
That's it. The free SSL covers your main domain and the www subdomain. The certificate renews automatically, so you don't have to think about it again.
For a paid SSL:
- In your hPanel, navigate to the SSL section.
- Click Buy SSL or Purchase SSL Certificate.
- Choose the certificate type (Positive, Wildcard, or EV).
- Complete the checkout process. The certificate is added to your account.
- After purchase, go back to the SSL section and select the purchased certificate. Click Install.
- For wildcard and EV certificates, you may need to complete a validation email or upload a verification file. Hostinger's system guides you through it.
The installation usually takes a few minutes. Once installed, your site will serve HTTPS traffic.
What about existing sites? If you already have a free SSL installed and buy a paid certificate, the paid one will replace the free one. You cannot have both active on the same domain.
Limitations and caveats
No product is perfect, and Hostinger's SSL offerings have a few limitations you should know.
Free SSL is domain‑only, not wildcard. This is the biggest limitation. If your site has subdomains like app.example.com, api.example.com, and admin.example.com, the free certificate won't cover them. You would need either a separate free certificate for each subdomain (which is possible but tedious) or a single wildcard certificate.
Free SSL renewal is automatic, but occasionally fails. Let's Encrypt certificates renew every 90 days. Hostinger's system handles this automatically, but there have been rare cases where the renewal fails due to a temporary server issue. If that happens, you'll see a warning in your browser.
You can manually trigger a renewal in hPanel to fix it.
Paid SSL certificates do not auto‑renew by default. You can set up auto‑renew in your billing settings, but it's not enabled automatically. I've seen people lose their paid SSL because they forgot to renew. Set a reminder or enable auto‑renew after purchase.
EV SSL requires business verification. If you choose EV SSL, be prepared to provide official documents proving your company's legal existence. The validation process can take a few days. It's not instant.
You cannot transfer an existing SSL certificate from another provider to Hostinger. If you already bought a certificate from Namecheap or GoDaddy, you cannot install it on Hostinger's infrastructure. You would need to buy a new certificate from Hostinger (or use the free one). This is a common point of frustration.
Common mix-ups or things people get wrong
Mix-up: "I need a paid SSL because free SSL is insecure."
Reality: Free SSL from Let's Encrypt uses the same encryption as paid SSL. The padlock in the browser is identical. The only difference is validation level and warranty.
For a standard blog or small business site, free SSL is fine.
Mix-up: "Hostinger doesn't sell SSL; they only give you a free one."
Reality: Hostinger does sell paid SSL certificates. Many people never see the option because the free SSL works well, but the paid SSL section is clearly visible in the dashboard.
Mix-up: "I can buy a cheap SSL from a third party and install it on Hostinger."
Reality: You cannot install a third‑party certificate on Hostinger's shared hosting. Hostinger only allows certificates that are purchased through their system or the free Let's Encrypt. If you want a specific brand or want to use your own certificate, you may need to move to a VPS plan where you have full control.
What this means for you
If you're building a standard website with one domain and no subdomains, the free SSL is all you need. It's secure, automatic, and costs nothing. You can skip the paid SSL section entirely.
If your site uses subdomains, you need a wildcard SSL. Hostinger's wildcard certificate is competitively priced at around $50 per year. That's cheaper than many standalone SSL vendors.
Buying it directly from Hostinger is convenient because the installation is handled for you.
If you run a business that requires a high level of trust, or if you're handling sensitive financial transactions, consider EV SSL. The green bar in the browser can increase visitor confidence. But for most people, it's overkill.
One more thing: If you're starting a new site, you can get a Hostinger hosting plan with the free SSL included. That gives you time to decide whether you need a paid certificate later. You can upgrade at any time.
If you're ready to buy a Hostinger plan, you can use a coupon code to save on the initial purchase. The current best deal is available on the main coupon page. That page lists the latest discounts for shared, cloud, and VPS hosting.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hostinger include free SSL with all plans?
Yes, every Hostinger hosting plan (shared, cloud, VPS, and WordPress) includes a free SSL certificate from Let's Encrypt. It's activated automatically on most plans, and you can enable it manually in hPanel if it's not already active.
Can I use a wildcard SSL on Hostinger?
Yes, Hostinger sells a wildcard SSL certificate that covers your main domain and all subdomains. It's a paid certificate, around $50 per year, and it's installed directly through your Hostinger dashboard.
How do I install an SSL certificate on Hostinger?
For the free SSL, go to the SSL section in hPanel and toggle the Let's Encrypt option on. For a paid SSL, purchase the certificate from the same section, then click Install. The whole process takes a few minutes.
Hostinger's support documentation walks you through the steps.
What happens if my free SSL certificate expires?
It renews automatically every 90 days, so you shouldn't have to worry. If for some reason the renewal fails, you'll see a security warning in your browser. You can manually trigger a renewal in hPanel or contact Hostinger support to fix it.
Ready to secure your site?
If you're still deciding on a hosting plan, remember that SSL is included with every Hostinger plan. You don't need to buy anything extra for basic security. For subdomains or higher validation, the paid option is available.
To get the best deal on a new Hostinger plan, start with the current coupon code on the coupon page. It works on most plans and can save you a significant amount on the first term.
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