RapidSSL
RapidSSL is a DigiCert-owned Certificate Authority brand providing affordable domain-validated and wildcard TLS/SSL certificates to businesses and website owners globally through a worldwide reseller network and direct online sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- Headquarters—
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What RapidSSL does
RapidSSL is a Certificate Authority (CA) brand under DigiCert that provides domain-validated (DV) and wildcard TLS/SSL certificates to businesses and website owners worldwide. The brand offers two primary products—RapidSSL DV for single-domain encryption and RapidSSL Wildcard for securing multiple subdomains—using symmetric 256-bit encryption, with certificates issued from DigiCert's trusted root infrastructure and validated through annual WebTrust Audits. Certificates are accepted by all major web browsers, and the brand positions itself as a more reliable alternative to free TLS/SSL providers by offering warranties, audited infrastructure, and a clear upgrade path.
The company operates a tiered go-to-market model in which RapidSSL serves as the entry-level offering with a $10,000 warranty, and GeoTrust (a sibling DigiCert brand) functions as the upsell with $500,000–$1.5M warranty, 24/7 English-based support, site seals, and access to the DigiCert CertCentral management platform. Distribution is primarily through a global network of authorized resellers that issue certificates instantly, supplemented by direct self-service purchases through rapidssl.com and an active 'Become a Partner' program. Regional support infrastructure spans the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific.
The revenue model combines one-time transactional revenue from RapidSSL certificate sales (pay-as-you-go) with subscription-based recurring revenue from GeoTrust upgrades (annual billing). The target market is horizontal—serving any website owner needing affordable, browser-trusted encryption—with primary emphasis on SMBs, individual site owners, and reseller channel partners rather than large direct enterprise accounts. As a brand within the DigiCert family alongside GeoTrust and Thawte, RapidSSL functions as a high-volume, low-cost acquisition funnel into DigiCert's broader certificate and PKI platform portfolio.
RapidSSL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RapidSSL
- Legal name
- RapidSSL
- Website
- https://rapidssl.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- RapidSSL is a DigiCert-owned Certificate Authority brand providing affordable domain-validated and wildcard TLS/SSL certificates to businesses and website owners globally through a worldwide reseller network and direct online sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RapidSSL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- SSL/TLS Certificates
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Endpoint Security Managed Services (EDR/XDR) (BPAEADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- API Security & Service-to-Service Security (mTLS, Service Mesh Security) (HDABAHAN)
Keywords
RapidSSL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- TLS/SSL Certificate Sales: RapidSSL generates revenue through the sale of TLS/SSL certificates including RapidSSL DV (Domain Validated) and RapidSSL Wildcard certificates. The revenue model is primarily one-time license/transaction based, with certificates sold for specific validity periods.
- Certificate Upgrades: Revenue is also generated through upgrade pathways to GeoTrust certificates, which offer higher warranties ($500,000 to $1.5M), better management tools (DigiCert CertCentral), and 24/7 support. Upgrades drive higher-value transactions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | RapidSSL DV certificate with basic warranty |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | RapidSSL Wildcard certificate |
| Subscription | Annual | GeoTrust DV upgrade with enhanced warranty and tools |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
RapidSSL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RapidSSL is a Certificate Authority brand under DigiCert that issues TLS/SSL certificates — specifically RapidSSL DV (Domain Validated) and RapidSSL Wildcard certificates — providing symmetric 256-bit encryption for website security. Certificates are issued instantly from DigiCert-trusted CA roots through a global network of authorized resellers and accepted by all major browsers. The offering includes warranty protection up to $10,000 at the base tier, with an upgrade pathway to higher-warranty GeoTrust certificates ($500,000 to $1.5M) featuring 24/7 support and the DigiCert CertCentral management platform.
Product overview
RapidSSL is a certificate authority brand under DigiCert offering TLS/SSL certificates as its core product portfolio. The portfolio consists of two primary certificate tiers: RapidSSL DV (Domain Validated) and RapidSSL Wildcard certificates providing entry-level domain validation with 256-bit encryption and up to $500,000 warranty. GeoTrust DV certificates serve as the premium upgrade tier, offering enhanced warranties up to $1.5M, comprehensive 24/7 support, and advanced management capabilities through the DigiCert CertCentral platform. The products work on a tiered upgrade model where RapidSSL certificates form the foundation and GeoTrust represents the enhanced offering with expanded features, warranty coverage, and lifecycle management tools.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RapidSSL DV: Domain Validated SSL certificates offering basic encryption for single domains
- RapidSSL Wildcard
Products and services
- RapidSSL DV
Quantifiable outcome
- Symmetric 256-bit encryption for data protection
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use RapidSSL
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
RapidSSL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
RapidSSL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- DigiCertcoreRapidSSL is now powered by DigiCert. As part of the DigiCert family, RapidSSL certificates are issued from trusted DigiCert roots. Customers upgrading to GeoTrust gain access to DigiCert's award-winning CertCentral platform and enterprise support services. DigiCert also handles backend CA operations including annual WebTrust Audits.
- GeoTrustcoreGeoTrust is a sibling brand under DigiCert. RapidSSL actively promotes upgrading to GeoTrust certificates, which offer higher warranties ($500,000), better management tools (DigiCert CertCentral), and 24/7 support. GeoTrust DV certificates are positioned as the premium alternative to RapidSSL.
- Global Reseller PartnerscoreRapidSSL certificates are issued instantly through trusted resellers spanning the globe. The company maintains a partners directory of authorized resellers. A 'Become a Partner' program exists for new resellers to join the distribution network.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
RapidSSL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sectigo: One of the largest commercial Certificate Authorities (formerly Comodo CA), issuing DV, OV, EV, wildcard, and multi-domain TLS/SSL certificates through both direct and reseller channels. Closest independent competitor to RapidSSL in entry-level DV SSL.
- GeoTrust: Sibling brand under DigiCert offering premium DV TLS/SSL certificates. Directly comparable product line, same CA roots, and positioned as the upsell destination for RapidSSL customers — making it the closest comparable in catalog and channel.
- SSL.com: Commercial Certificate Authority offering DV, OV, EV, wildcard, and multi-domain TLS/SSL certificates with warranties. Direct competitor to RapidSSL in the entry-level DV SSL segment, with comparable pricing and reseller distribution.
- Thawte: Another DigiCert-owned Certificate Authority brand selling TLS/SSL certificates globally. Same product category, same infrastructure, and same reseller distribution model as RapidSSL, making it a direct intra-portfolio comparable.
- GlobalSign: Established commercial Certificate Authority offering DV, OV, and EV TLS/SSL certificates along with PKI and IoT identity services. Comparable to RapidSSL in DV SSL offerings and in serving SMBs through a global partner and direct channel.
Emerging players
- Namecheap SSL: Domain registrar that resells low-priced TLS/SSL certificates (DV and wildcard) as a value-oriented alternative. Competes with RapidSSL DV on price in the same SMB and website-owner segment, primarily through direct online channels.
- Let's Encrypt: Free, automated, open Certificate Authority that has commoditized basic DV TLS/SSL issuance via ACME. Competes directly with RapidSSL DV on price (free vs. paid) and on automation, and is the most strategically important indirect competitor to the RapidSSL product line.
Broad incumbents
- DigiCert: Parent company of RapidSSL and the broader DigiCert CA family (including GeoTrust and Thawte). Directly comparable as a Certificate Authority issuer of TLS/SSL certificates and operator of the CertCentral lifecycle management platform that RapidSSL upgrades into.
- Entrust: Established PKI and Certificate Authority vendor offering TLS/SSL alongside a broader identity, encryption, and PKI portfolio. Comparable to RapidSSL at the certificate layer while operating a much broader enterprise security suite.
- GoDaddy SSL: Major domain registrar and hosting provider that resells and co-brands TLS/SSL certificates (including DV and wildcard) bundled with website and hosting plans. Competes with RapidSSL heavily at the SMB entry-level via a similar reseller-driven, self-service model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
RapidSSL social profiles
Digital presenceRapidSSL compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
RapidSSL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RapidSSL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
RapidSSL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RapidSSL M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RapidSSL
What does RapidSSL do?
RapidSSL is a Certificate Authority brand under DigiCert that issues TLS/SSL certificates — specifically RapidSSL DV (Domain Validated) and RapidSSL Wildcard certificates — providing symmetric 256-bit encryption for website security. Certificates are issued instantly from DigiCert-trusted CA roots through a global network of authorized resellers and accepted by all major browsers. The offering includes warranty protection up to $10,000 at the base tier, with an upgrade pathway to higher-warranty GeoTrust certificates ($500,000 to $1.5M) featuring 24/7 support and the DigiCert CertCentral management platform.
Is RapidSSL a public or private company?
RapidSSL is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was RapidSSL founded?
RapidSSL was founded in -1.
How does RapidSSL make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. TLS/SSL Certificate Sales are the primary driver. The others are certificate Upgrades.
Who are RapidSSL's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sectigo, GeoTrust, SSL.com, Thawte and GlobalSign. Emerging players are Namecheap SSL and Let's Encrypt. Broad incumbents are DigiCert, Entrust and GoDaddy SSL.
Does RapidSSL have an API?
No public API is recorded for RapidSSL.
What industry is RapidSSL in?
RapidSSL's product category is SSL/TLS Certificates. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEADAH, Endpoint Security Managed Services (EDR/XDR), with a secondary code of HDABAHAN, API Security & Service-to-Service Security (mTLS, Service Mesh Security). Its NAICS code is 5182 and its SIC code is 7370.