Hosting guide
How to choose an SSL certificate in Pakistan: DV, OV or EV?
Every site that collects logins, contact details or payments should use HTTPS. The question is whether the free certificate on your hosting is enough.
Updated 10 November 2026 · By Edish Network Solutions, the company behind HostGator Pakistan
An SSL certificate encrypts data between a visitor and your site and shows HTTPS and a padlock. Most of our hosting plans already include a free SSL certificate. Paid certificates add business validation, a warranty or wildcard coverage, and start at about Rs. 4,352 per year.
The four types
- DV (Domain Validation): quick and affordable, for blogs and small business sites.
- Wildcard: one certificate covers your domain and all its sub-domains.
- OV (Organization Validation): verifies your business, for company websites.
- EV (Extended Validation): the highest level of verification, for stores and banks.
Do you need to buy one?
Many sites do not. Our DirectAdmin hosting plans include a free SSL certificate, and our managed WordPress plans include wildcard SSL certificates. A paid certificate makes sense when you want business validation, a warranty or a certificate that covers many sub-domains.
Example prices in PKR per year
Prices are per year for the selected term. Longer terms lower the yearly price.
| Certificate | Type | 1 year | 2 years | 3 years | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RapidSSL | DV | Rs. 4,986 | Rs. 4,583 | Rs. 4,352 | USD $10,000 |
| GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium | DV | Rs. 21,944 | Rs. 20,278 | Rs. 19,352 | USD $500,000 |
| RapidSSL Wildcard | Wildcard | Rs. 41,389 | Rs. 38,194 | Rs. 36,481 | USD $10,000 |
| GeoTrust True BusinessID | OV | Rs. 46,944 | Rs. 44,583 | Rs. 43,796 | USD $1,250,000 |
| GeoTrust True BusinessID with EV | EV | Rs. 80,278 | Rs. 76,250 | Rs. 74,907 | USD $1,500,000 |
DV certificates are normally issued within minutes. OV and EV certificates need company documents and take 1 to 5 days. See all 11 options on the SSL certificates page.
A simple way to decide
- Small site or blog: use the free SSL on your hosting.
- Company website where customers should see a verified business: consider OV.
- Online store or bank-style site: consider EV.
- Many sub-domains: consider a wildcard certificate.
Prices come from our SSL page as of 10 November 2026.
Questions people ask
Do I need to buy an SSL certificate?
Not always. Most of our hosting plans include a free SSL certificate for basic HTTPS. Buy a paid one for business validation, a warranty or wildcard coverage.
What is the difference between DV, OV and EV?
DV proves control of the domain and is issued in minutes. OV also verifies your organisation. EV applies the strictest checks and suits stores and banks.
How much does an SSL certificate cost in Pakistan?
Paid certificates start at about Rs. 4,352 per year for RapidSSL on a 3-year term, priced in PKR.
What is a wildcard SSL certificate?
A wildcard certificate covers your domain and all its sub-domains with one certificate.
Tell us what you are building — we will size it for you
Message us on WhatsApp or send a short enquiry and a Pakistan-based team member will recommend the right plan.