Wildcard and Subject Alternative Name (SAN) certificates both let you secure multiple domains or subdomains under a single certificate, but they work differently. This article explains the difference so you can choose the right option.
Wildcard certificates
A wildcard certificate secures a domain and an unlimited number of its subdomains with a single certificate. For example, a wildcard certificate for *.ascio.com covers mail.ascio.com, shop.ascio.com, and any other subdomain of ascio.com — including subdomains you add later, without reissuing the certificate.
SAN certificates
A SAN certificate secures multiple unique domain names under a single certificate, rather than subdomains of one domain. Depending on the brand and product, a SAN certificate covers 1 or 4 additional domains alongside the primary domain.
Choosing between a wildcard and a SAN certificate
Choose a wildcard certificate if you manage one domain with multiple subdomains, especially if you expect to add more subdomains over time. Choose a SAN certificate if you need to secure several distinct domain names under one certificate.
Next steps
- Learn what SSL certificates do — see What Are SSL Certificates?
- Review the validation methods to choose the right level of trust for your certificate — see What Are the Validation Methods?
Questions? Contact Ascio Support.
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