Link copied to clipboard # AWS Certificate Manager vs Letsencrypt Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/aws-certificate-manager/letsencrypt/export.csv) AWS Certificate ManagerLetsencrypt[+ Add Product](#) Reviews **AWS Certificate Manager** [ 4.5/5(58) ](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-certificate-manager/reviews#reviews) **Letsencrypt** [ 4.8/5(22) ](https://www.g2.com/products/letsencrypt/reviews#reviews) Pricing **AWS Certificate Manager** No pricing available **Letsencrypt** No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **AWS Certificate Manager** 1 month Based on 7 responses **Letsencrypt** Not enough reviews yet Return on Investment **AWS Certificate Manager** 7 months Based on 5 responses **Letsencrypt** Not enough reviews yet Perceived Cost **AWS Certificate Manager** $$$$$ **Letsencrypt** $$$$$ Average Discount **AWS Certificate Manager** 11% **Letsencrypt** Not enough reviews yet Pros & Cons **AWS Certificate Manager** Not enough data **Letsencrypt** Not enough data Integrations **AWS Certificate Manager** Not enough data **Letsencrypt** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_17665d7286dded41f4194510372dd0d2/plesk.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Plesk ](https://www.g2.com/products/plesk/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/letsencrypt/integrations) Ratings Meets Requirements **AWS Certificate Manager** 9.0 9.052 **Letsencrypt** 9.7 9.720 Ease of Use **AWS Certificate Manager** 9.0 9.053 **Letsencrypt** 9.6 9.620 Ease of Setup **AWS Certificate Manager** 8.6 8.638 **Letsencrypt** 9.6 9.612 Ease of Admin **AWS Certificate Manager** 9.1 9.137 **Letsencrypt** 9.7 9.710 Quality of Support **AWS Certificate Manager** 8.6 8.643 **Letsencrypt** 9.9 9.913 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **AWS Certificate Manager** 9.3 9.334 **Letsencrypt** 10.0 10.09 Product Direction (% positive) **AWS Certificate Manager** 8.3 8.349 **Letsencrypt** 10.0 10.020 Features SSL & TLS Certificate Tools[Hide 13 FeaturesShow 13 Features](javascript:void(0);) 8.6 18 Not enough data Administration Notifications 8.2(won by default) 16 Not enough data Warranty 8.9(won by default) 14 Not enough data Server License 9.0(won by default) 13 Not enough data Free Reissues 8.0(won by default) 14 Not enough data Functionality Multi-Domain Support 8.7(won by default) 14 Not enough data Browser Support 8.3(won by default) 15 Not enough data Site Seal 7.7(won by default) 14 Not enough data AI Features Not enough data Not enough data Security Domain Validated SSL 8.2(won by default) 15 Not enough data Issuance Speed 9.3(won by default) 17 Not enough data Encryption Strength 9.3(won by default) 15 Not enough data Extended Validation SSL Not enough data Not enough data Organization Validated SSL Not enough data Not enough data Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM)[Hide 9 FeaturesShow 9 Features](javascript:void(0);) 8.1 9 Not enough data Functionality Certificate Discovery 8.1(won by default) 8 Not enough data Expiration Monitoring 8.1(won by default) 9 Not enough data Automated Certificate Operations 9.2(won by default) 8 Not enough data Policy And Role-Based Access Controls 8.7(won by default) 9 Not enough data Workflow 8.1(won by default) 9 Not enough data Protocol Support 7.9(won by default) 8 Not enough data Reporting And Search 6.5(won by default) 8 Not enough data Audit And Enforcement 8.1(won by default) 9 Not enough data Key Storage 8.3(won by default) 8 Not enough data User Insights Reviewers' Company Size [![AWS Certificate Manager](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1528476504/aws-certificate-manager.svg "AWS Certificate Manager")](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-certificate-manager/reviews) AWS Certificate Manager Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 27.3% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 49.1% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 23.6% [![Letsencrypt](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_8b32a2ca8d2da8fa032d81c60a813993/letsencrypt.jpg "Letsencrypt")](https://www.g2.com/products/letsencrypt/reviews) Letsencrypt Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 81.8% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 18.2% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 0% Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 27.3% 81.8% Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 49.1% 18.2% Enterprise (\> 1000 emp.) 23.6% 0% Reviewers' Industry [![AWS Certificate Manager](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1528476504/aws-certificate-manager.svg "AWS Certificate Manager")](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-certificate-manager/reviews) AWS Certificate Manager Information Technology and Services 21.8% Computer Software 16.4% Marketing and Advertising 9.1% Financial Services 5.5% Telecommunications 3.6% Other 43.6% [![Letsencrypt](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_8b32a2ca8d2da8fa032d81c60a813993/letsencrypt.jpg "Letsencrypt")](https://www.g2.com/products/letsencrypt/reviews) Letsencrypt Marketing and Advertising 18.2% Computer & Network Security 9.1% Entertainment 9.1% Broadcast Media 4.5% Commercial Real Estate 4.5% Other 54.5% FAQs ## AWS Certificate Manager vs Letsencrypt FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between AWS Certificate Manager vs Letsencrypt? Letsencrypt stands out for its higher reviewer satisfaction scores and broader applicability, while AWS Certificate Manager is favored for AWS-native automation and integration. | [AWS Certificate Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-certificate-manager/reviews) | [Letsencrypt](https://www.g2.com/products/letsencrypt/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.5/5 (58 reviews) | 4.8/5 (21 reviews) | | Mid-Market | Small-Business | | 8.6 | 9.4 | | 8.6 | 9.7 | | Automates SSL/TLS provisioning and renewal within AWS | Free, easy-to-implement SSL for any domain | ### How do the pricing models of AWS Certificate Manager and Letsencrypt compare? Letsencrypt is considered the stronger value due to its higher satisfaction on price and cost-related dimensions. - **AWS Certificate Manager:** Reviewers appreciate that public certificates are free for AWS resources and highlight the value of automated management, but note limitations for use outside AWS. - **Letsencrypt:** Reviewers consistently praise Letsencrypt for being completely free, easy to use, and providing SSL for all domains without cost. - **Switching reasons:** In recent reviews, buyers mention switching to Letsencrypt for its zero-cost model and broad compatibility across hosting environments. ### What are the best alternatives to AWS Certificate Manager and Letsencrypt? The top 3 alternatives to AWS Certificate Manager and Letsencrypt are DigiCert ONE, Azure Key Vault, and — (no third alternative supported in the data). | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [AWS Certificate Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-certificate-manager/reviews) | 4.5/5 (58 reviews) | Mid-Market | Public certificates are free for AWS resources | Automates SSL/TLS provisioning and renewal within AWS | | [Letsencrypt](https://www.g2.com/products/letsencrypt/reviews) | 4.8/5 (21 reviews) | Small-Business | Completely free for all domains | Free, easy-to-implement SSL for any domain | | [DigiCert ONE](https://www.g2.com/products/digicert-one/reviews) | 4.3/5 (78 reviews) | — | — | Trusted certificate authority with enterprise features | | [Azure Key Vault](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-key-vault/reviews) | 4.5/5 (55 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Secure key and certificate management for Azure environments | ### Which SSL & TLS Certificate Tools features should I prioritize when comparing AWS Certificate Manager and Letsencrypt? Buyers should prioritize ease of setup, quality of support, integration capabilities, certificate automation, and applicability beyond a single cloud ecosystem. - **Ease of Setup:** Letsencrypt scores 9.4, AWS Certificate Manager scores 8.6. - **Quality of Support:** Letsencrypt scores 9.7, AWS Certificate Manager scores 8.6. - **Integration Capabilities:** AWS Certificate Manager is frequently cited for integration with AWS services; Letsencrypt is praised for broad compatibility with hosting providers and control panels. - **Certificate Automation:** AWS Certificate Manager automates provisioning and renewal within AWS; Letsencrypt offers automated renewal via ACME protocol and is widely supported by hosting platforms. - **Applicability Beyond Cloud Ecosystem:** Letsencrypt is not limited to a single cloud provider, while AWS Certificate Manager is primarily for AWS-managed resources. ### What are the pros and cons of AWS Certificate Manager vs Letsencrypt? Letsencrypt's headline strength is its free, universally compatible SSL, while AWS Certificate Manager excels at automating certificate management within AWS. - **AWS Certificate Manager strengths:** Automates SSL/TLS provisioning, deployment, and renewal for AWS resources; public certificates are free for AWS-managed services; reduces manual effort and operational risk; integrates with AWS services like ELB, CloudFront, and API Gateway. - **AWS Certificate Manager trade-offs:** Certificates are not easily portable outside AWS; limited integration with non-AWS environments; region-specific certificate management can be confusing; lacks support for some advanced use cases and custom workflows. - **Letsencrypt strengths:** Completely free SSL/TLS certificates for any domain; easy to implement and widely supported by hosting providers; supports automated renewal via ACME protocol; praised for simplicity and cost savings. - **Letsencrypt trade-offs:** Only issues Domain Validation (DV) certificates, not Organization Validation (OV) or Extended Validation (EV); certificates require renewal every 3 months (though automation is available); some hosting providers make integration less straightforward to promote their own paid solutions. ### Is AWS Certificate Manager or Letsencrypt better for small businesses? Letsencrypt is the better fit for small businesses, as reflected by its largest reviewer segment and higher satisfaction scores. - **AWS Certificate Manager:** Largest segment is Mid-Market; reviewers highlight value for AWS-centric organizations but note limitations for businesses operating outside AWS. - **Letsencrypt:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers consistently praise its zero cost, ease of use, and broad applicability for small business websites and hosting environments. ### Which SSL & TLS Certificate Tools platform has better integrations? Letsencrypt is favored for broader integration support across hosting providers and control panels, while AWS Certificate Manager is preferred for AWS-native integrations. - **AWS Certificate Manager:** Reviewers frequently mention integration with AWS services such as ELB, CloudFront, API Gateway, and Route 53. - **Letsencrypt:** Reviewers highlight integration with a wide range of web hosting panels (e.g., cPanel, Plesk, SiteGround) and compatibility with various server environments. ### How do AWS Certificate Manager and Letsencrypt compare on customer support? Letsencrypt leads AWS Certificate Manager on Quality of Support by a material margin, scoring 9.7 versus 8.6. - **AWS Certificate Manager:** Reviewers describe support as generally helpful but note occasional delays and a desire for more detailed documentation and examples for complex use cases. - **Letsencrypt:** Reviewers consistently praise the support experience, citing clear documentation, helpful reminders for renewals, and strong community resources. ### Which is easier to implement, AWS Certificate Manager or Letsencrypt? Letsencrypt is easier to implement, with a 0.8-point lead in Ease of Setup (9.4 vs 8.6), and also scores higher on Ease of Admin. - **AWS Certificate Manager:** Reviewers find setup straightforward within AWS but note complexity when managing certificates across regions or integrating with non-AWS environments. - **Letsencrypt:** Reviewers consistently describe implementation as quick and simple, often citing one-click installation via hosting panels and easy automation for renewals. Alternatives **AWS Certificate Manager Alternatives** ![DigiCert ONE](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/fe699a97b1c2a547a3a4b847a7ac2fba/digicert-one.svg "DigiCert ONE") [ DigiCert ONE ](/products/digicert-one/reviews) ![Azure Key Vault](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a8a99a96fda235658139f710592f8a53/azure-key-vault.svg "Azure Key Vault") [ Azure Key Vault ](/products/azure-key-vault/reviews) ![OpenSSL](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_bfdd017fc8502e868a4a7646cfc63126/openssl.png "OpenSSL") [ OpenSSL ](/products/openssl/reviews) ![Cloudflare Application Security and Performance](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b2231a414cb9f3f7c194f65af32b723e/cloudflare-application-security-and-performance.png "Cloudflare Application Security and Performance") [ Cloudflare Application... ](/products/cloudflare-application-security-and-performance/reviews) **Letsencrypt Alternatives** ![DigiCert ONE](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/fe699a97b1c2a547a3a4b847a7ac2fba/digicert-one.svg "DigiCert ONE") [ DigiCert ONE ](/products/digicert-one/reviews) ![OpenSSL](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_bfdd017fc8502e868a4a7646cfc63126/openssl.png "OpenSSL") [ OpenSSL ](/products/openssl/reviews) ![ZeroSSL](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d36d367ddb4d38b30c847120efdd2c22/zerossl.svg "ZeroSSL") [ ZeroSSL ](/products/zerossl/reviews) ![Sectigo Certificate Manager](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/3117133e20065aa73444e02cb958fae0/sectigo-certificate-manager.svg "Sectigo Certificate Manager") [ Sectigo Certificate Manager ](/products/sectigo-certificate-manager/reviews) ## AWS Certificate Manager vs Letsencrypt When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found Letsencrypt easier to use, set up, and administer. Reviewers also preferred doing business with Letsencrypt overall. - Reviewers felt that Letsencrypt meets the needs of their business better than AWS Certificate Manager. - When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Letsencrypt is the preferred option. - For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Letsencrypt over AWS Certificate Manager.