6 Best WordPress Hosting With Free SSL: All Tested in 2023

The last thing you want is for your WordPress site visitors to see a “not secure” message in their browsers when they land on your homepage. All you need to prevent that is an SSL certificate, and most reputable providers include free SSL certificates in their hosting plans.

While you should have a premium SSL certificate if you are processing payments or collecting customer information directly on your website, free SSL certificates are useful and effective for many sites. Free SSL gives you https:// on your web address and a padlock icon instead of a warning message. Even better, it improves your ranking in search engine results.

However, free SSL is not the only factor that makes a WordPress host worthy of your money. It should also give you WordPress-specific features, solid performance, and superior overall value. We’ve tested almost every WordPress provider in the industry, and have come up with a list of the six best that deliver free SSL, and more.

What We Look For in the Best WordPress Hosts With Free SSL

We tested over a dozen web hosts that offer both WordPress hosting and a free SSL certificate. However, several other factors should be taken into account when choosing the best provider for your project.

• WordPress optimization – Quality WordPress hosting should mean more than just a one-click WordPress install. We looked for WordPress-specific optimizations, whether in the choice of web server or in additional tools and plugins.
• Automatic SSL certificate renewal – Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates have 90-day validity, while Sectigo certificates are valid for one year. Whatever the case, it’s best to opt for a host that handles the renewals for you. The providers on our list do.
• Simple SSL installation – You should pick a web host that provides a simple or automatic installation process, as doing this yourself can be time-consuming and complicated.
• Ease of use – If you’re a beginner, you’ll want a web host that ensures a streamlined, intuitive account sign-up and site management experience.
• Premium SSL options – If you’re running a small online shop, off-site payment processing services like PayPal and Stripe Checkout are perfectly safe to use with free SSL. For larger e-commerce sites, premium SSL certificates provide a higher level of security, and can offer your customers a warranty in the event of a security breach.

1. Hostinger – Affordable WordPress Hosting and Near-Perfect Performance

If you’re on a budget, Hostinger’s four WordPress plans are cheap but all offer excellent value for money. And thanks to its easy-to-use hPanel dashboard, these plans are an excellent option for beginners as well.

Hostinger is also one of the best-performing shared hosting providers we’ve ever tested with a 1.56s average page loading time – which is very good for shared hosting – and 99.99% uptime.

Hostinger includes unlimited free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates in all shared and WordPress plans. SSL is automatically installed on any new websites you create. This doesn’t require any effort on your part, and the certificates become active in just a few minutes.

Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates are valid for only 90 days, but Hostinger renews the SSL certificate automatically and free of charge, so you can literally forget about it.

Features

• Fast WordPress installation – You can either choose to have WordPress installed during the checkout process or install it yourself via Hostinger’s Auto Installer app. Either way, it requires minimal to no effort.
• LiteSpeed Cache for WordPress – This WordPress acceleration plugin works in tandem with the LiteSpeed web server to provide server-level caching, compression, and content optimization to enhance your site’s performance.
• Custom SSL – If you need a premium SSL certificate for an e-commerce site, Hostinger sells Comodo SSL certificates, or you’re free to purchase one from a 3rd party and install it via hPanel.
• SLA-backed uptime guarantee – Hostinger has a 99.9% uptime guarantee. However, if your website goes down, the host’s service level agreement (SLA) states you may get a refund for a part of your monthly fee.

Check out our full Hostigner review to learn more.

2. IONOS – Beginner-Friendly Host With a Free Wildcard SSL Certificate

IONOS offers affordable WordPress hosting starting at just $1.00. Creating an account is easy even if you have zero experience, and installing WordPress is just as uncomplicated. A tool called the Setup Assistant helps you select a theme and plugins based on your answers to a few questions regarding your project.

All of IONOS’ WordPress plans include a free SSL certificate, and it’s a Wildcard SSL certificate from DigiCert which secures one domain and an unlimited number of subdomains under the main one. IONOS allows WordPress Multisite installation, so you can secure your entire network of subdomain-based websites with one SSL certificate.

If you purchase a IONOS WordPress plan for at least an year, you’re given a free domain name even if you opt for the entry-level plan. There are nine available domain extensions, and domain privacy is included in the package.

Features

• Cloudflare Railgun CDN – Access to this content delivery network is available with IONOS’ top-tier WordPress plan. It can boost your website’s performance by storing and delivering cached versions of your website’s files to site visitors who live further away from your chosen data center in the US or Europe.
• Free email – IONOS includes email hosting in all its plans, which not all hosts do. Depending on the plan you select, you get up to 10 free email addresses. Each email account has 2 GB of storage.
• Full page caching – WordPress sites have to reconstruct web pages every time someone visits them using information from various parts of the database. IONOS’ caching plugin allows constructed pages to be stored on the server in HTML format after they have been visited once, which can speed up loading by 30%.
• Renewable energy-powered servers – Data centers represent a massive energy consumer, but IONOS is committed to using as much renewable energy as possible. In Europe, for instance, its servers are 100% powered by wind turbines.

To find out more about IONOS, see our full review.

3. Scala Hosting – WordPress-Optimized Servers and Strong Security

Scala Hosting offers shared WordPress plans that are easy to set up and suitable for beginners. The prices are similar to Hostinger’s, and although Scala Hosting doesn’t include as many resources it makes up for this with a better range of included security features.

All WordPress plans come with unlimited free SSL certificates from Let’s Encrypt. These can easily be installed via your control panel. Search for SSL certificates in the main menu, then click on the Actions button you see on the right side of the page. A drop-down menu will appear with a link to Install free SSL. Click or tap this to have the SSL certificate installed and activated instantly. Renewal is automatic.

For a large-scale project, you may prefer Scala Hosting’s managed VPS. If you want to build a large online store, this plan is a great place to start. Also, to build more trust and provide a warranty for your customers, Scala Hosting offers several paid SSL certificates from GeoTrust and Symantec.

Features

• SPanel – Developed by Scala Hosting as an alternative to cPanel, SPanel is a powerful control panel that allows you to manage your cloud server, domains, email accounts, SSL certificates, backups, and any other hosting-related settings with ease.
• SShield Security Guard – Scala Hosting’s security exceeds the regular features you get with most web hosts. Included in all WordPress plans except the entry-level one, SShield blocks 99.998% of attacks and notifies you if your site is ever compromised. It also features real-time website monitoring and built-in AI which detects suspicious behavior.
• Free SEO analysis – SEO (search engine optimization) is of the utmost importance if you’re trying to build an audience. Scala Hosting analyzes your website and makes suggestions for improvement. You can then use the included SEO tools to optimize your site.
• Free domain name – If you subscribe to one of Scala Hosting’s WordPress plans for at least one year, you get a free domain name with one of five available extensions: .com, .org, .net, .info, and .eu.

For more information, check out our full Scala Hosting review.

4. InterServer – Unlimited Resources and a Reasonably-Priced Monthly Plan

InterServer’s one-size-fits-all web hosting plan makes things easy for you because you don’t have to compare plans and make a choice. Installing WordPress is quick and easy because the host uses cPanel, meaning you have access to numerous one-click installs via the Softaculous Installer.

InterServer includes a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate in its plan. You can easily install it via cPanel. Click on the Let’s Encrypt SSL link at the bottom of your control panel, go to the list of domains on your account, and then choose the domain you want to install the certificate on. It takes just a few seconds. Also, the Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates installed via cPanel renew automatically.

Features

• Reasonably-priced monthly plan – While you can get a discount if you purchase a longer subscription, InterServer’s rates for monthly plans are not that high. Especially if you take the unlimited resources into account.
• InterProxy caching – InterServer’s proprietary caching tool improves your website’s performance, and together with a CDN, your audience will benefit from faster page loading speed.
• Unlimited resources – InterServer doesn’t limit how many websites you can create or how much bandwidth your websites can use. Within reason, of course.
• 99.9% uptime guarantee – If your website has uptime lower than 99.9% over a month, you may be entitled to a maximum of a 50% refund of your base monthly fee.

Read out full InterServer review to learn more.

5. InMotion Hosting – Powerful WordPress Tools and AutoSSL

InMotion Hosting made our list because it doesn’t simply sell shared hosting with a one-click WordPress install and a basic caching plugin. WordPress is preinstalled at checkout, and so is the BoldGrid website builder if you so choose. Also, you can launch two websites on the entry-level plan.

On WordPress plans, servers are built and configured specifically to host WordPress sites only. Plus, InMotion Hosting uses the NGINX web server as a reverse proxy, which speeds up page loading by storing and retrieving cached versions of pages quickly.

InMotion Hosting offers free SSL certificates with all its shared and WordPress plans. Every website you host on its servers will have an SSL certificate for the life of your subscription, which can be installed and renewed automatically with AutoSSL in cPanel.

Features

• BoldGrid – This is a website builder for constructing WordPress websites. You can install it for free via InMotion Hosting’s Auto Installer, and it can help you design a site even if you have no web development experience.
• NVMe SSD storage – It’s included even in InMotion Hosting’s entry-level WordPress plan, and it improves your website’s performance by delivering faster read and write speeds than standard SSDs.
• 90-day money-back guarantee – Most hosts have a 30-day money-back guarantee, but InMotion Hosting went three times over the industry-standard.
• Free domain name – InMotion Hosting offers a free domain name if you opt for an annual or longer plan. The domain name is free for one year. The only downside is that it’s not included in the entry-level plan.

Our full InMotion Hosting review includes more information.

6. A2 Hosting – Preinstalled WordPress and Preconfigured SSL

A standout feature of A2 Hosting’s WordPress plans is the “A2 Optimized” WordPress installation option. During WordPress installation, it enables the A2 Optimized plugin with preconfigured settings to speed up your site on A2 Hosting’s servers. Without it, manual optimization would take you a lot longer.

Sectigo SSL certificates are included with all of A2 Hosting’s WordPress plans. These certificates are identical to Let’s Encrypt certificates. They’re added to your site automatically, and are preprogrammed to renew.

Furthermore, if you opt for A2 Hosting’s top-tier WordPress plan, you get a free premium RapidSSL certificate. It adds a site seal and a $10,000 warranty for your customers in the event of a security breach.

Features

• Perfect uptime – We tested A2 Hosting’s performance and the numbers showed 100% uptime over a few months. The average loading time was good too.
• NVMe SSD storage – Included even in A2 Hosting’s entry-level WordPress plan, NVMe SSD improves your website’s performance because it delivers the fastest response time.
• Patchman Enhanced Security – This is a security tool that scans your WordPress website for outdated apps, malware, and other vulnerabilities. If found, Patchman Enhanced Security fixes the issues without “disturbing” your website.
• SSL certificate upgrades – If you need to increase your website’s level of protection, A2 Hosting has a store that includes most types and variations of SSL certificates. There are 13 options with warranties of up to $2 million USD.

Read our full A2 Hosting review to learn more.

Conclusion: Focus On Quality and the Features You Need, Not the Free SSL Certificates

We established that free SSL certificates are easy to come by, so how are you supposed to make a good choice? By looking at the provider’s overall quality of service and the project-specific features it offers – as there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the host you choose should depend on your precise needs.

If you’re looking for cheap WordPress hosting, I recommend Hostinger. Its plans include free SSL certificates for all the websites you create. It’s easy to use, and delivers excellent performance.

IONOS is a better choice if you’re looking to secure a series of subdomains for a Multisite installation because it includes a free Wildcard SSL in its WordPress plans. It’s also a beginner-friendly option.

And lastly, while its WordPress plans deliver great value, for large-scale projects Scala Hosting’s managed VPS gives you more than enough resources to get your e-commerce business off the ground.

FAQ

Does WordPress include free SSL?

WordPress is a CMS (content management system) and can’t generate an SSL certificate. However, most hosting companies, the ones on this list included, offer free SSL certificates with their WordPress plans. In fact, all hosts on our top ten best web host services in 2023 include a SSL certificate in their subscriptions.

How do I get free SSL for my WordPress site?

The web hosts on this list include a free SSL certificate with their WordPress plans, and in many cases, they are automatically issued and installed. Otherwise, it’s a simple extra step when you set up your WordPress website. If you’re a complete beginner to websites and hosting, you may want to check out our guide on how to build a website in 2023.

Are free SSL certificates safe?

Free SSL certificates are just as safe as paid SSLs as they both encrypt information being sent through online forms. The difference is that paid SSL certificates often provide a warranty and are backed by larger companies – and higher fees, of course.

Should I pay for SSL?

A paid SSL certificate is worth it if you have a large-scale ecommerce site, because it offers a higher level of security and lets your visitors know that they are entitled to compensation in the event that the SSL certificate is somehow compromised. That way, they are more inclined to provide you with the personal and financial details required to make a purchase on your site.