How to Get a Free SSL Certificate for Your Custom Domain (2025)
Every custom domain needs HTTPS. Learn how to get a free SSL certificate from Let's Encrypt, Cloudflare, or Edgely — and set it up in under 10 minutes.
TL;DR — Quick Answer
Free SSL is available from Let's Encrypt (via Certbot), Cloudflare's proxy, or any managed reverse proxy like Edgely. Edgely automatically provisions and renews SSL for every custom domain you add — zero configuration required.
Why Every Custom Domain Needs SSL
Browsers mark HTTP sites as "Not Secure." Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal. [1] Any form, login page, or eCommerce flow without SSL is a security liability. Fortunately, free SSL is widely available.
Option 1 — Let's Encrypt via Certbot (Self-Hosted)
Let's Encrypt is a free, automated, open Certificate Authority backed by Mozilla, Google, and others. [2] If you run your own server:
- Install Certbot:
sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx - Run:
sudo certbot --nginx -d yourdomain.com -d www.yourdomain.com - Certbot auto-renews before expiry (certs expire every 90 days).
Option 2 — Cloudflare (Free CDN + SSL)
Move your DNS to Cloudflare and enable their free proxy (orange cloud). Cloudflare terminates SSL at the edge automatically — no Certbot needed. [3] The origin can be HTTP; Cloudflare handles HTTPS for visitors.
Option 3 — Managed Hosting (Vercel, Netlify, Edgely)
Managed platforms provision SSL automatically when you add a domain:
- Vercel: SSL provisioned on domain verification.
- Netlify: SSL via Let's Encrypt, auto-provisioned.
- Edgely: SSL provisioned automatically once your CNAME resolves — no configuration required. [4]
Certificate Types
| Type | Use Case | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| DV (Domain Validated) | Blogs, apps, APIs | Free (Let's Encrypt) |
| OV (Organisation Validated) | Business sites | Paid (~$50–200/yr) |
| EV (Extended Validation) | Banks, high-trust | Paid (~$200–800/yr) |
For most web projects, a free DV certificate from Let's Encrypt is more than sufficient. [5]
Common SSL Errors and Fixes
- ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR: DNS hasn't propagated yet. Wait and try again.
- NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID: Certificate issued by an untrusted CA. Use Let's Encrypt or a managed platform.
- Mixed content warnings: Some resources on your page load over HTTP. Fix by ensuring all asset URLs use HTTPS.
Edgely is the fastest way to proxy your your site project to a custom domain. It provisions a free SSL certificate, syncs routing to Vercel Edge Config for sub-millisecond lookups, and optionally caches responses at the edge — all for free on the starter plan.
Key Takeaways
- Free SSL is available from Let's Encrypt, Cloudflare, and managed platforms like Edgely.
- Edgely provisions and renews SSL certificates automatically — no Certbot or manual setup.
- DV certificates are free and provide the same encryption strength as paid certificates.
- Mixed content warnings appear when HTTPS pages load HTTP resources — fix all asset URLs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Let's Encrypt?
Let's Encrypt is a free, automated Certificate Authority that issues Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificates valid for 90 days, with automatic renewal. It's backed by Mozilla, Google, Cisco, and others and is the most widely used CA for free SSL.
How long do SSL certificates last?
Let's Encrypt certificates expire after 90 days. Managed platforms like Edgely, Vercel, and Netlify renew certificates automatically before expiry, so you never deal with expired cert errors.
Is a free SSL certificate as secure as a paid one?
For encryption strength, yes. A free DV certificate provides the same 256-bit TLS encryption as a $500 EV certificate. The difference is in identity verification — OV/EV certificates display verified organisational information, which is important for financial institutions.
What is HSTS?
HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) tells browsers to always use HTTPS for your domain for a set period. It prevents downgrade attacks. Enable it in your reverse proxy or hosting platform once your SSL is confirmed working.
Sources & Citations
- [1]Google HTTPS as a Ranking Signal— developers.google.com
- [2]Let's Encrypt — About— letsencrypt.org
- [3]Cloudflare SSL/TLS Overview— developers.cloudflare.com
- [4]Vercel SSL Documentation— vercel.com
- [5]SSL Certificate Types Explained— digicert.com
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