8 Best SSL Plugins for WordPress: Secure Your Site Today

Securing your website is crucial for protecting your customers’ sensitive information and earning their trust. With Google now warning users about non-HTTPS websites, it’s more important than ever to have a secure site. Unsecured websites pose risks to customer data and can even drive potential customers away, as research shows that 46% of people would avoid entering personal information on a “not secure” site, with 64% immediately leaving the website.

To help you create a safe browsing experience for your users, we’ve compiled a list of the Best SSL plugins for WordPress. These plugins not only secure your customers’ data but also improve your site’s user experience and search engine ranking.

Let’s explore the top SSL WordPress plugins that will ensure your website remains secure and trustworthy.

Understanding SSL And Its Importance For WordPress Websites

SSL is a security protocol that stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and it plays an important role in protecting WordPress websites by facilitating encrypted communication between the website and its visitors.

What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates a website’s identity and enables a secure, encrypted connection between a user’s browser and the web server. SSL certificates protect sensitive information, such as login credentials, personal data, and credit card details, during transmission.

What is the purpose of SSL plugins?

SSL plugins for WordPress make it easy for website owners to implement SSL certificates and enable HTTPS on their sites. These plugins not only secure your website but also improve its SEO ranking, as search engines like Google prioritize secure websites in search results. Moreover, modern web browsers display warning messages for unsecured websites, potentially discouraging visitors from engaging with your content.

8 Best SSL Plugins For WordPress

Discover the 8 Best WordPress SSL plugins for your website, and learn how each one provides unique features to improve security and protect sensitive information.

1. Really Simple SSL
2. Let’s Encrypt
3. SSL Zen
4. Easy HTTPS Redirection
5. SSL Insecure Content Fixer
6. WP Force SSL & HTTPS Redirect
7. Auto-install Free SSL
8. WooCommerce SSL Seal

1. Really Simple SSL

Really Simple SSL is one of the most popular WordPress SSL plugins, with over 5 million active installations. As the name suggests, it’s designed to make the process of adding SSL to your WordPress site as simple as possible. With just a few clicks, this plugin can automatically detect your settings and configure your website to run over HTTPS. Ensure you back up your files before proceeding.

The free version of Really Simple SSL offers essential tools to secure your website. Upgrading to the Premium version provides additional features like enabling HTTP Strict Transport Security, configuring your site for the HSTS preload list, and receiving email notifications when your SSL certificate is about to expire. Premium users also gain access to advanced security headers and the server health check feature for added protection.

Features

• Automatic HTTPS redirection
• Fixes mixed content issues
• Option to enable HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)
• Compatible with most other plugins

Pros

• Easy to use and set up
• Free version available
• Comprehensive documentation and support

Cons

• The free version may not include all features required for complex websites
• It may require a premium version for more advanced settings

Installation and Setup

1. Install and activate the Really Simple SSL plugin from the WordPress dashboard.
2. Obtain an SSL certificate from your hosting provider or a third-party SSL provider.
3. The plugin will automatically detect the SSL certificate and enable SSL on your site.

Pricing

• Free version available
• The premium version starts at $39 per year

Rating

Really Simple SSL plugin has an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars on the WordPress repository.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Users have appreciated Really Simple SSL plugin. Below, we feature a snapshot of user reviews from the WordPress repository for the Really Simple SSL plugin, providing insights into user experiences.

Note: These reviews represent the individual experiences and perspectives of users. Remember to consider your unique website needs and technical requirements before deciding on an SSL plugin.

2. WP Encryption

WP Encryption is a highly recommended SSL plugin that offers free SSL/TLS certificates for WordPress websites. It is a non-profit initiative and uses an automated process to provide encryption security by generating SSL certificates and renewing them automatically without any additional cost. Additionally, Let’s Encrypt has received high ratings from users due to its ease of use and integration with popular web hosts like Host Duplex.

WP Encryption generates SSL certificates, verifies domain ownership, and offers hassle-free installation and setup. For users running WordPress on specialized VPS/Dedicated servers without cPanel, the plugin allows you to download the generated SSL certificate files and install them on your server.

Features

• Free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt
• Automatic renewal of certificates
• Wildcard SSL support
• Compatible with various web servers

Pros

• Completely free SSL certificates
• Easy domain verification and certificate generation
• Trusted by major browsers and search engines

Cons

• Requires a compatible SSL plugin for WordPress integration
• Not as user-friendly as some other SSL plugins

Pricing

WP Encryption provides Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates that are free but there are rate limits to ensure fair usage.

Rating

WP Encryption has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on the WordPress repository.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Users have appreciated WP Encryption plugin. Below, we feature a snapshot of user reviews from the WordPress repository for the WP Encryption, providing insights into user experiences.

Note: These reviews represent individual experiences and perspectives of users. Remember to consider your unique website needs and technical requirements before deciding on an SSL plugin.

3. SSL Zen

SSL Zen is an excellent WordPress plugin that helps secure your website with free SSL certificates from Let’s Encrypt. Designed for ease of use, SSL Zen generates SSL certificates, verifies domain ownership, and configures HTTPS websites without requiring coding or developer experience.

Furthermore, SSL Zen comes equipped with wildcard SSL support, which makes it incredibly simple to add a secure seal on all of your subdomains.

While the free version of the SSL Zen plugin provides basic SSL certificate generation and installation, the Premium version offers automatic SSL certificate renewal, domain ownership verification, and other advanced features.

Features

• Integration with Let’s Encrypt
• Automatic domain verification
• Automatic SSL certificate generation, installation, and renewal
• Automatic HTTPS redirection
• Premium support, spam protection, and brute-force protection
• Real-time threat intelligence and vulnerability blocking

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• Free version available
• Detailed instructions for SSL certificate installation

Cons

• The free version may not include all features required for complex websites
• It may require a premium version for more advanced settings

Pricing

They have a Free plan, but they also offer a cPanel plan for $29/year and Content Delivery Network (CDN) plan for $49/year.

Rating

SSL Zen has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on the WordPress repository.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Users have appreciated the SSL Zen plugin. Below, we feature an image of user reviews from the WordPress repository for the SSL Zen, providing insights into user experiences.

Note: These reviews represent individual experiences and perspectives of users. Remember to consider your unique website needs and technical requirements before deciding on an SSL plugin.

4. Easy HTTPS Redirection (SSL)

Easy HTTPS Redirection (SSL) is a WordPress plugin that helps you automatically set up a redirection to the HTTPS version of a URL when anyone tries to access the non-HTTPS version. You can force your entire domain to be auto-redirected to the HTTPS URL or selectively choose a few pages to be redirected. The plugin also has an option that allows you to force load static files (images, js, CSS, etc) using an HTTPS URL dynamically.

Features

• Automatic HTTPS redirection for entire site or specific pages
• Option to force load static files (images, CSS, JavaScript) over HTTPS
• Compatible with various web servers and hosting environments

Pros

• Simple and straightforward setup
• Free plugin
• Allows selective HTTPS redirection

Cons

• Does not provide SSL certificates or assist with installation
• Lacks advanced features found in some other SSL plugins

Pricing

Easy HTTPS Redirection is a free plugin.

Ratings

Easy HTTPS Redirection plugin has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on the WordPress repository.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Users have appreciated the Easy HTTPS Redirection plugin. Below, we feature an image of user reviews from the WordPress repository for the Easy HTTPS Redirection, providing insights into user experiences.

Note: These reviews represent individual experiences and perspectives of users. Remember to consider your unique website needs and technical requirements before deciding on an SSL plugin.

5. SSL Insecure Content Fixer

SSL Insecure Content Fixer is a dedicated WordPress plugin designed to address mixed content issues. Mixed content occurs when a secure HTTPS site loads insecure HTTP resources, leading to warnings in users’ browsers and negatively impacting search engine rankings.

If you want to eliminate HTTPS insecure content and mixed content warnings on your WordPress website, SSL Insecure Content Fixer is the ideal plugin. This powerful tool can quickly solve most insecure content warnings without significant effort.

Upon installation, SSL Insecure Content Fixer will activate its default settings and perform some basic fixes on your site using the Simple fix level. Say goodbye to content security issues and enjoy a seamless browsing experience with this useful WordPress SSL plugin.

Features

• Automatically fixes mixed content issues
• Provides various levels of content fixing, from simple to advanced
• Compatible with most caching plugins and CDNs

Pros

• Efficiently fixes mixed content issues
• Easy to set up and configure
• Free plugin

Cons

• Does not provide SSL certificates or assist with installation
• Not a comprehensive SSL management solution

Pricing

SSL Insecure Content Fixer is a free WordPress SSL plugin.

Ratings

SSL Insecure Content Fixer has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on the WordPress repository.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Users have appreciated the SSL Insecure Content Fixer plugin. Below, we feature an image of user reviews from the WordPress repository for the SSL Insecure Content Fixer, providing insights into user experiences.

Note: These reviews represent individual experiences and perspectives of users. Remember to consider your unique website needs and technical requirements before deciding on an SSL plugin.

6. WP Force SSL & HTTPS SSL Redirect

WP Force SSL is a straightforward yet effective WordPress SSL plugin that automatically redirects HTTP traffic to HTTPS once an SSL certificate is installed on your website. This ensures that all incoming requests are served over a secure connection, enhancing your site’s security and search engine rankings.

After installing and activating the plugin, it automatically redirects HTTP traffic to HTTPS for increased security. The plugin also comes with an SSL certificate testing tool to verify its validity and up-to-date status. Simply click the “Test SSL Certificate” button to check your certificate’s current state.

Features

• Automatic HTTPS redirection for the entire domain
• Lightweight and efficient
• Compatible with various web servers and hosting environments

Pros

• Simple and easy to use
• Free plugin
• No additional configuration needed

Cons

• Does not provide SSL certificates or assist with installation
• Lacks advanced features found in some other SSL plugins

Pricing

WP Force SSL & HTTPS Redirect is a free plugin.

Ratings

WP Force SSL has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on the WordPress repository.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Users have appreciated the WP Force SSL plugin. Below, we feature an image of user reviews from the WordPress repository for the WP Force SSL, providing insights into user experiences.

Note: These reviews represent individual experiences and perspectives of users. Remember to consider your unique website needs and technical requirements before deciding on an SSL plugin.

7. Auto-install Free SSL

Auto-Install Free SSL is a user-friendly WordPress plugin that allows you to effortlessly obtain and install Let’s Encrypt free SSL certificates on your website without the need for programming or coding experience. The plugin not only saves you time but also eliminates the need to purchase SSL certificates. With just a few minutes of setup, your website will be secured.

Features

• Hassle-free generation and renewal of free SSL certificates
• One-click download of generated SSL certificate, private key, and CA bundle files
• Video and written tutorials for SSL installation on cPanel and Plesk
• One-click Force SSL activation and revert to HTTP if required
• Automatic renewal reminders via email and admin notice
• SSL installation support for non-cPanel websites

Pros

• Free plugin with essential SSL management features
• Easy to set up and configure
• Compatible with both WordPress and cPanel websites
• Automatic renewal of SSL certificates
• Saves time and money on SSL certificates

Cons

• Some features are only available in the premium version
• cPanel or root access required for automatic SSL installation

Pricing

The basic version of the plugin is free, while the premium version offers additional features and automation at $26.99/year.

Rating

Auto-install Free SSL has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on the WordPress repository.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Users have appreciated the Auto-install Free SSL plugin. Below, we feature an image of user reviews from the WordPress repository for the Auto-install Free SSL, providing insights into user experiences.

Note: These reviews represent individual experiences and perspectives of users. Remember to consider your unique website needs and technical requirements before deciding on an SSL plugin.

8.WooCommerce SSL Seal

WC SSL Seal plugin is a vital addition to any WooCommerce website that aims to assure customers of the site’s security, especially when handling sensitive data like bank accounts and credit card information. Displaying an SSL seal during checkout can boost customer confidence and enhance their shopping experience. The plugin allows you to embed a Secure Seal SSL Provider and display custom or default images on the WooCommerce checkout page.

Features

• Supports HTTP Strict Transport Security for enhanced security
• Adds an SSL provider’s Secure Seal to your website
• Allows display of custom and default images
• Checks for errors throughout the entire certificate
• Corrects ‘mixed content’ warnings in many cases

Pros

• Free to use
• Easy installation and activation
• No further configuration needed after activation
• Instantly improves site speed performance
• Builds customer trust in your WooCommerce site

Cons

• Requires a valid SSL certificate from an online provider
• Limited customization options for the SSL seal display

Pricing

The WC SSL Seal plugin is available for free.

Ratings

WC SSL Seal plugin has an average rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars on the WordPress repository.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Users have appreciated WC SSL Seal plugin. Below, we feature an image of user reviews from the WordPress repository for the WC SSL Seal, providing insights into user experiences.

Note: These reviews represent individual experiences and perspectives of users. Remember to consider your unique website needs and technical requirements before deciding on an SSL plugin.

How to Install an SSL Plugin on Your WordPress Website

Step-by-step installation guide

Follow these simple steps to install an SSL plugin on your WordPress website:

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Navigate to the “Plugins” section on the left-hand side menu, and click on “Add New.”
3. Use the search bar to find the SSL plugin you want to install. For example, type “Really Simple SSL” to find the plugin.
4. Once you locate the plugin, click on the “Install Now” button. Wait for the installation process to complete.
5. After the installation is complete, click on the “Activate” button to enable the plugin on your website.
6. Configure the plugin settings according to your preferences and requirements. Most SSL plugins will automatically detect your SSL certificate and apply the necessary settings for your website.

Troubleshooting common issues

If you encounter any issues while installing or configuring an SSL plugin, here are some common problems and their solutions:

1. Plugin not detecting the SSL certificate: Ensure that you have a valid SSL certificate installed on your hosting server. You may need to contact your hosting provider to check the SSL certificate status.
2. Mixed content warnings: Some SSL plugins may not automatically fix mixed content issues. In this case, you can try another plugin that includes mixed content fixing features or manually update your website’s URLs to use HTTPS.
3. Redirection loops: If you experience redirection loops after activating the SSL plugin, try disabling other redirection plugins or check your .htaccess file for conflicting rules.
4. Incompatible theme or plugins: Some themes or plugins may not be compatible with the SSL plugin you’ve installed. You can try disabling other plugins one by one to identify the conflict or contact the plugin’s support team for assistance.

How To Choose The Best SSL Plugin For Your WordPress Site

Evaluate Your Website’s Needs

Consider the type of content, e-commerce features, and contact forms on your site when selecting an SSL plugin. A higher level of encryption and security features should be prioritized if sensitive information is being collected.

Compatibility with Plugins and Themes

Ensure your chosen SSL plugin is compatible with all the plugins and themes installed on your website. Some plugins, like Really Simple SSL, are known for their seamless integration with the most popular WordPress plugins and themes.

Analyze Features and Functionalities

Look for features like automatic HTTPS redirection and integration with other plugins and themes. User feedback and ratings can provide valuable insights into the performance of a particular SSL plugin on different websites or web servers.

User Feedback and Rating

Examine user experiences with various SSL plugins to help make an informed decision. Highly-rated plugins with positive reviews, like Really Simple SSL and WP Force SSL, are popular choices among users.

Customer Support Options

Consider SSL plugins that offer reliable and responsive support, including documentation, tutorials, and forums. Plugins like Really Simple SSL and WP Encrypt provide users with comprehensive documentation and dedicated support channels.

Wrap Up

As a final thought, implementing an SSL plugin on your WordPress site is smart for maintaining data privacy, establishing credibility with your audience, and enhancing search engine performance. When choosing the perfect SSL plugin, evaluate your website’s distinct needs, ensure compatibility with other plugins and themes, assess security capabilities, consider user experiences, and prioritize responsive support options. This approach will ensure a secure and seamless experience for your audience.

FAQs