SAN vs. Wildcard SSL Certificate – What’s the Difference?

Let’s break down the differences between wildcard and SAN SSL certificates and find out which one might be the ace up your sleeve for website security and functionality. 

At the most basic level, a wildcard SSL/TLS certificate secures virtually unlimited subdomains for a single domain. In contrast, a Subject Alternative Name (SAN) certificate, also called a multi-domain certificate, secures your main domain name plus other unique domains under a single certificate.

What else is there to know about what differentiates wildcards from multi-domain certificates? Let’s find out….

Wildcard Certificate vs SAN: An Overview of the Differences

Here’s an overview that encapsulates the differences between these certificates and their use cases:

No.	Feature	Traditional Wildcard Certificate	Traditional SAN Certificate
1.	Domain Coverage	A single domain and its single-level subdomains.	Multiple distinct domains and specified subdomains.
2.	Flexibility	Covers virtually unlimited single-level subdomains for one domain under one certificate.	Adaptable for securing a varied range of domain and specified subdomain levels under a single certificate.
3.	Management	Straightforward, with a focus on a single domain.	More complex due to the need to handle multiple domains and dynamic changes.
4.	Validation Levels	Supports domain validation (DV) and organization validation (OV).	Supports domain validation (DV), organization validation (OV), and extended validation (EV).
5.	Use Case	Best for small organizations with numerous subdomains under one domain that don’t require the most stringent validation (up to OV).	Ideal for larger entities with a variety of domains and subdomains requiring a flexible solution and the option of more stringent validation (EV).
6.	Limitations	Only applicable to secure subdomains at the same level; not for multi-level subdomains.	Limited by the number of SAN entries; covers a broad range of domains and specified subdomains (up to 250).
7.	Issuance	Rapid issuance (within minutes) with domain validation; between 1 and 3 days for OV.	Flexible issuance, depending on validation level; SAN entries can be modified to add or remove domains during the certificate’s lifespan via the certificate reissuance process.
8.	Cost	Certificate prices start as low as $69.78 per year.	Certificate prices start as low as $18.81 per year.

Wildcard Certificate vs. SAN Certificate – Which Is More Suitable for My Needs? 

Determining the more appropriate option in the “wildcard certificate vs. SAN” debate hinges on understanding their distinct functionalities and security applications. Both options offer robust encryption but cater to different organizational needs, management requirements, and budgets.

Wildcards: Broad Coverage for Single-Level Subdomains

• Wildcard certificates enable you to secure all single-level subdomains under one main website.
• This means if you have one main website, any subdomain (like a shop or blog part of your main site) on that level gets security, too.
• It makes managing your website’s security easier because one certificate covers everything at a single level below your main site.

Wildcard Usage Examples
First-level domain wildcard	*.example.com   – Secures all first-level subdomains of example.com, such as mail.example.com, shop.example.com, and blog.example.com.

Image caption: This screenshot shows the wildcard SSL certificate for Gravatar.com. This certificate, issued by Sectigo ECC Domain Validation Secure Server CA, secures all subdomains under the primary domain *.gravatar.com.

SANs: Tailored Coverage for Multiple Domains and Specified Subdomains

• SAN certificates are akin to tailor-fitted security measures. They fit exactly what you need, covering specific websites and sub-websites you choose.
• They allow you to protect different names and parts of your site, even if they’re at different levels or completely different sites.
• This is great for when you need precise, tailored security for multiple areas of your online presence.

SAN Usage Examples
Same domain name but different TLDs	example.com, example.net, example.org   Secures multiple domains with the same second-level domain name but different top-level domains (TLDs).
Multiple domains with different levels and TLDs	example.com, mydomain2.org, mydomain3.net   Secures multiple domains with different second-level domain names and different TLDs.
Specified subdomains	api.example.com, order.example.com, login.example.com   You can specify the list of subdomains you want to secure as some of your SAN options.

Image caption: This screenshot displays the SAN SSL certificate for Wix.com, issued by Sectigo RSA Domain Validation Secure Server CA. This single certificate secures multiple domain names, including *.wix.com, *.editorx.com, *.wixsite.com, editorx.com, and more, providing flexible and comprehensive protection.

But did you know there’s a third option beyond traditional wildcard and SAN certificates?

Multi-Domain Wildcard Certificates: Combining the Best of Both Worlds

For those needing the ability to secure multiple domains and extensive subdomain coverage, multi-domain wildcard certificates offer an ideal solution. Multi-domain wildcard certificates:

• Provide the flexibility of SAN certificates that protect multiple unique domain names.
• Combine the benefits of wildcard coverage, enabling you to secure numerous subdomains across those SAN domains.
• Simplify certificate management by allowing you to protect multiple domains and their subdomains under a single certificate.

This makes them a universal choice for organizations with complex security needs. The drawback? You can only get DV or OV validation. Extended validation isn’t an option for any type of wildcard certificate, including multi-domain wildcard certificates.

All three certificate types — wildcard, SAN, and multi-domain wildcard — uphold high encryption standards, with 256-bit encryption using either a 2048-bit RSA or 256-bit ECC signature key. They also adhere to IETF standards and CA/B Forum industry baseline requirements.

How Do Wildcard and SAN Certificates Simplify Domain Security?

In a word? Yes. While the previous section outlines the security aspects of wildcard vs. SAN certificates, this part focuses on their impact on domain security and management-related requirements:

• Wildcards offer simplified management: Wildcard certificates contribute to simplified domain security by universally covering all subdomains of a single domain with one certificate. This is particularly advantageous for businesses that frequently add new subdomains, as it eliminates the need to obtain a separate certificate for each one.
• SANs provide flexible coverage: The comparison of a “SAN cert vs. wildcard” emphasizes the flexibility of SAN certificates. SAN certificates simplify domain security in complex and diverse web environments by allowing multiple distinct domain names to be protected under one certificate.
• Scalability with SANs:Who requires a SAN certificate? They cater to organizations that operate across various domains and require a versatile, scalable security solution that can be customized to fit a dynamic range of domain names and subdomains.

While SAN certificates take a bit more effort to manage, they’re a powerhouse when it comes to protecting a range of domains, crucial for businesses with a broad online footprint.

However, there is also a concern with using any type of wildcard SSL/TLS certificate: If the certificate’s key is compromised, it exposes all subdomains under the wildcard. A bad guy could also use that exposed key and certificate to create an unauthorized subdomain on your site. This can pose a significant security risk.

This is why it’s crucial you choose the right certificate to meet your organization’s security needs and management-related capabilities.

How to Select the Right SSL Certificate for My Organization

Choosing the right SSL/TLS certificate for your organization depends on the specific needs and structure of your domain environment. It’s important to consider not just the present needs but also future expansion — flexibility for growth can be a deciding factor.

• Need a simple solution for numerous subdomains? Go Wildcard for one-stop coverage.
• Operating across varied and distinct domains? Choose SAN for specialized security.

For a side-by-side comparison of wildcard SSL/TLS certificates, visit Comodo Wildcard SSL. For personalized advice and support, reach out to Comodo SSL Store Support for guidance in making the best decision for your organization.