Let's Encrypt
Let's Encrypt: A focused free service for automating publicly trusted TLS certificate workflows. Ranked #28 of 31 in Certificate Management Software by our editors (6.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free automated public TLS certificates.
At a glance
- Editor score6.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree automated public TLS certificates
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free ACME issuance and automatic renewal support
- Supports HTTP-01, DNS-01, and TLS-ALPN-01 validation
- Provides production, staging, revocation, and transparency APIs
Where it doesn't
- Requires an ACME client or hosting-provider integration
- Does not provide certificate inventory or discovery
- Does not manage private certificate authorities
Our verdict on Let's Encrypt
Let's Encrypt is a nonprofit certificate authority that issues free, publicly trusted TLS certificates for websites. It is designed for website operators, hosting providers, and developers who need HTTPS with automated certificate workflows. Certificate requests are handled through the ACME protocol by an ACME client or hosting provider, while the service supports issuance, renewal, revocation, and Certificate Transparency logging. Its API platform focus suits teams that want to automate domain-validated certificate operations rather than manage certificates from a conventional administrative console.
The main strength is the depth of its ACME workflow. Domain control can be validated through HTTP-01, DNS-01, or TLS-ALPN-01 challenges, giving deployments several ways to prove control of a domain. Automatic renewal support and automatic certificate configuration for website use help reduce recurring operational work. Certificate revocation is available through the ACME API, and separate production and staging endpoints support different workflow needs. These capabilities make Let's Encrypt a practical fit for repeatable public TLS issuance across websites and hosting environments.
The trade-off is its narrow scope. Let's Encrypt is an ACME service and certificate authority, not a full certificate-management suite with verified discovery, inventory, integrations, or private-CA management. Teams seeking centralized visibility across certificates, broader ecosystem connections, or private certificate authority workflows should choose a different product. For website operators, developers, and hosting providers that can work with an ACME client and need free public TLS certificates, its focused model aligns well with the job.
Let's Encrypt pricing
Let's Encrypt fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Certificate discovery | Not verified |
| Automatic renewal | Yes |
| Deployment automation | Yes |
| Revocation workflows | Yes |
| Certificate types | Not verified |
| CA integrations | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | letsencrypt.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Let's Encrypt
- DigiCert Trust Lifecycle ManagerA broad certificate governance platform for hybrid infrastructure and enterprise PKI.9.4
- DigiCert ONEFull certificate lifecycle control for large organizations managing diverse trust environments.9.3
- Keyfactor PlatformA broad certificate lifecycle platform for hybrid enterprise environments.9.1
See all Let's Encrypt alternatives →
Also listed in
Used Let's Encrypt? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Let's Encrypt for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Let's Encrypt is listed in our Certificate Management Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/let-s-encrypt/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/let-s-encrypt.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Guides on certificate management software
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update