Not long ago, getting an SSL certificate meant spending $50–$200 per year.
For small websites, blogs, and startups, that was often too much.

Then came Let’s Encrypt—a free, open, and automated certificate authority (CA) that completely changed the game.

Today, Let’s Encrypt powers over 300 million websites with secure HTTPS connections—including every domain hosted on PLiKhost.

Here’s how Let’s Encrypt started the free SSL revolution, and why it’s become the industry standard.

🌍 What is Let’s Encrypt?

Let’s Encrypt is a non-profit Certificate Authority (CA) launched in 2015 by the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG), with support from:

• Mozilla

• Google

• Cisco

• EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation)

• Facebook

• And others

Its mission:

“To create a more secure and privacy-respecting Web by making HTTPS the default.”

Let’s Encrypt issues free SSL certificates to anyone who owns a domain name—without manual verification or complicated forms.

🔒 How Does It Work?

Let’s Encrypt uses an automated protocol called ACME (Automatic Certificate Management Environment) to:

1. Verify that you control your domain

2. Issue a valid SSL certificate

3. Auto-renew it every 90 days

4. Replace it automatically before expiry

This means:

• No paperwork

• No manual renewals

• No downtime when certs expire

At PLiKhost, this is fully integrated—you get SSL the moment your site goes live.

💡 Why Is It Free?

Let’s Encrypt is backed by donations and sponsorships from major tech companies who believe in a safer, encrypted Web for all—not just those who can afford it.

Instead of profit, it prioritizes:

• Accessibility

• Transparency

• Internet security

SSL is no longer a luxury—it’s a basic expectation.

✅ Benefits of Let’s Encrypt

🆚 Let’s Encrypt vs Paid SSL: What’s the Difference?

Let’s Encrypt offers domain validation (DV) only.
It’s perfect for:

• Blogs

• Business websites

• Personal portfolios

• Nonprofits

• WordPress/WooCommerce sites

Paid SSL may include:

• Organization Validation (OV)

• Extended Validation (EV)

• Warranties

• Wildcard or Multi-domain support

Still, for 90%+ of websites, Let’s Encrypt is more than enough.

🔧 How PLiKhost Uses Let’s Encrypt

At PLiKhost, every hosting plan includes Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates:

• ✅ Installed automatically on setup

• ✅ Renewed without manual steps

• ✅ Included with Shared, Reseller, VPS & Enterprise Hosting

• ✅ Compatible with Cloudflare, WordPress, and more

We make HTTPS the default—no extra cost, no technical knowledge needed.

🔐 Final Thoughts

Let’s Encrypt changed the web forever.

It took a critical layer of website security—SSL encryption—and made it free, fast, and automatic for everyone.

Whether you’re a beginner launching your first blog or a business owner selling products online, Let’s Encrypt gives you the trust and protection your visitors expect—without the price tag.

🟢 Hosting with PLiKhost?
You’re already part of the SSL revolution. Every site gets free HTTPS, powered by Let’s Encrypt.