DV, OV and EV certificates encrypt traffic the same way. The difference is how much the Certificate Authority verifies about you before it issues, which decides how fast you get the certificate and whose name appears in it.
DV: Domain Validation
A Domain Validated certificate confirms one thing: that you control the domain. You prove it by adding a DNS record, uploading a file, or approving an email; there's no paperwork and no company check. Because there is nothing manual to verify, DV is usually issued within minutes and is the lowest-cost option.
Best for: blogs, personal sites, and internal tools and staging sites on your public domain (public CAs can't issue for internal-only names). If you just need the padlock and encryption, DV is all you need.
OV: Organization Validation
An Organization Validated certificate does everything DV does and verifies that your business is a real, registered organisation. The CA checks your company against official records and may call to confirm. Your verified company name is then written into the certificate, where anyone can see it in the certificate details. Issuance typically takes 1–3 business days because a person reviews your organisation.
Best for: business and corporate websites, login pages, and anywhere customers, auditors or procurement teams expect to see that a real company stands behind the site.
EV: Extended Validation
An Extended Validated certificate is the highest assurance level. The CA performs a stricter, standardised check of your legal entity: registration, physical existence, and your authority to request the certificate. This takes 3–5 business days. Your verified legal name and registration details are written into the certificate. Browsers no longer show them in the address bar, but anyone can inspect them. Warranty varies by product; see each product page.
Best for: banks, payment and finance platforms, and organisations whose customers or regulators expect the strongest identity check available.
What about Wildcard and Multi-Domain (SAN)?
Wildcard and SAN describe coverage, not validation, and they combine with the levels above. A Wildcard certificate secures a domain's first-level subdomains (*.yourdomain.in) with one certificate. A Multi-Domain / SAN certificate secures several different domains together. You can have a DV Wildcard, an OV SAN, and so on, but not an EV wildcard, which industry rules don't permit. Use our certificate finder if you're unsure which combination fits.
Quick decision guide
- Need HTTPS fast? Choose DV.
- Want your verified company name in the certificate? Choose OV.
- Need the strongest identity check? Choose EV.
- Many subdomains or multiple domains? Add Wildcard or SAN coverage on top.
All three have the same maximum lifetime: up to 200 days now; up to 100 days from 15 Mar 2027; up to 47 days from 15 Mar 2029.
Common questions
Does EV still show a green address bar?
No. Since 2019 major browsers show the same padlock for DV, OV and EV; the verified organisation is visible in the certificate details.
Do DV certificates encrypt less?
No. Encryption strength is set by your server's TLS settings (TLS 1.2 / 1.3), and is the same for DV, OV and EV.
Is DV enough for an online shop?
For encryption, yes. Choose OV or EV when customers, auditors or procurement need your verified company name in the certificate.