I was just wondering if anyone here has bought an SSL certificate from Rackspace? They use Verisign and it comes with PayPro Flow or something like that.

Domestic SSL 40 Bit: $45/month $25/setup
Global SSL 128Bit: $95/month $25/setup

I have never worked with SSL before and need to use it for an upcoming website so any input is appreciated. Just like their great support for the server, it says that they install and manage the certificate - so I guess thats what the monthly fee is for.

Thanks :)

It seems expensive to me. Considering you can buy a 40 bit for around $100 from thawte.com

Thawtes super cert is 128 bit and is $300 a year.

Once the cert is installed there is nothing to really "manage". We install them all the time and never have to go back for anything.

Thinking that they may have made a mistake in their quote or changed their price structure in the past couple months since I originally posted this message, I asked Rackspace again for the price of a 128bit SSL.


the 128 bit SSL is priced $95/month and a $25/set up fee or you can pay an annual fee of $795 with no set up fee.


When I asked them what the monthly fee covers, they said:

The price structure includes the processing of the order, installation of the certificate, providing technical assistance, and providing renewals to that certificate.


Is it just me, or is that price simply outrageous? I'm new to the SSL thing so if anyone has any suggestions regarding where I should go to purchase an SSL id, please let me know as $795 is just too much for me. I had a look at Thawte and they are $125 for a 128-bit. I would need to install it on my Rackspace system... are they tough to install?

Thawte, etc.

However, the best deal I have found recently has been geotrust and particularly through rackshack where the quick SSL certificates are $49. And, you can install it on a server anywhere-not limited to their location. Between my customers and myself,we have purchased dozens since they started this and had no problems.

You've got to remember that the SSL certificates offered by Rackspace.com are from Verisign which is the #1 SSL cert provider, second being Thawte, but they are very close though. Verisign certs are usually about that price. It really depends if the certs are "Secure Site Pro" certs or the cheaper "Secure Site" certs. The Pro version is $895/year whereas the cheaper one is $349/year. Check this (http://www.verisign.com/products/site/secure/index.html) page out for the comparison on the two types of cert, maybe ask Rackspace what certs they are selling exactly.

Alan

Are the certs provided by Verisign "better" than those offered by other companies? If I got a 128-bit from Thawte, would I be purchasing a product of lower value? Or are the price differences simply paying for the name?

The company that I would be getting the cert for has a very tight budget to start. Would it be best/possible to get a cheaper cert then upgrade to the expensive one from Rackspace?

Thanks for your input! :)

I think you'll be buying the name, Verisign, and also they have a $250,000 guarantee on the data transmitted between the user and the server, I'm not sure if Thawte has this though. If your budget is tight, then I would suggest Thawte as they are the other next best SSL cert provider.

Alan

Originally posted by ho247
Verisign, and also they have a $250,000 guarantee on the data transmitted between the user and the server,

that seems to be a pure marketing gimmick. :rolleyes:

btw, Thawte will be raising their pricing shortly...

Do you have an idea of when the price increase will take place?

Thanks

yes, it's scheduled around August 5th, 2002 :(

Originally posted by apollo
btw, Thawte will be raising their pricing shortly...

Hmm .. is there a price lock for current customers?

Is there any problems with the GeoTrust ones? I was planning on getting one.

no problems with them at all. We e-mailed our Thawte rep two days ago saying not to bother contacting us anymore with the price rise coming. Yesterday, we moved to GeoTrust and have it installed onsite now.

I miss having the Thawte logo on our site, but I'm not going to miss the cost of them with that jump coming.

Greg Moore