Multi-Domain (SAN) SSL Certificates

Secure multiple domains and hostnames with a single SSL certificate

Protect multiple domains, websites and hostnames with a single Multi-Domain (SAN) SSL Certificate. Instead of purchasing and managing a separate certificate for every domain, a Multi-Domain certificate allows you to secure multiple names within one SSL certificate using Subject Alternative Names (SANs).

At euroSSL you can compare DV, OV and EV Multi-Domain SSL certificates from leading Certificate Authorities including DigiCert, Sectigo, GeoTrust and Comodo. Whether you need to secure a few websites or a complex multi-domain infrastructure, you can choose the validation level and number of SANs that best fit your requirements.

Multi-Domain (SAN) SSL Single Certificates

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Multi-Domain (SAN) SSL Wildcard Certificates

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What is a Multi-Domain (SAN) SSL Certificate?

A Multi-Domain SSL Certificate, also known as a SAN SSL Certificate, allows multiple domain names and hostnames to be protected with a single SSL certificate.

SAN stands for Subject Alternative Name, a certificate field that allows additional hostnames to be included alongside the primary domain.

For example, one Multi-Domain SSL certificate can protect:

• example.com
• www.example.com
• example.net
• mycompany.eu
• shop.anotherdomain.com
• mail.company.org

The domains do not need to share the same domain name or extension. This makes Multi-Domain certificates particularly flexible for businesses and organizations operating several websites, online services or server hostnames.

Instead of installing, tracking and renewing a separate SSL certificate for every domain, you can manage them together using a single certificate.

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Why Choose a Multi-Domain SSL Certificate?

A Multi-Domain SSL certificate simplifies the protection of environments where several domains or hostnames need HTTPS encryption.

The main advantages include:

• Multiple domains in one certificate – secure different domain names, extensions and hostnames with a single SSL certificate.
• Simplified certificate management – reduce the number of individual certificates you need to install, monitor and renew.
• Flexible SAN configuration – add the hostnames required by your infrastructure according to the limits of the selected certificate.
• Different validation levels – choose between DV, OV and EV Multi-Domain certificates according to your identity validation requirements.
• Scalable protection – Multi-Domain certificates are suitable for both small groups of websites and larger infrastructures requiring many SANs.

They are particularly useful for organizations managing several websites, corporate domains, mail services, web applications or other services distributed across different hostnames.

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Who Should Use a Multi-Domain SSL Certificate?

A Multi-Domain (SAN) SSL certificate is ideal when you need to protect multiple different domain names or hostnames while keeping certificate management as simple as possible.

Multi-Domain SSL certificates are particularly suitable for:

• businesses operating multiple websites and domains;
• organizations managing several brands or online properties;
• IT departments responsible for multiple servers and services;
• web agencies managing related websites and applications;
• mail servers and communication platforms using multiple hostnames;
• infrastructures where domains or services need to be consolidated into fewer certificates.

For example, an organization operating company.com, company.eu, company.net and customerportal.com can protect all these names using a single Multi-Domain certificate rather than maintaining a separate SSL certificate for each one.

If you only need to protect multiple subdomains belonging to the same domain, however, a Wildcard SSL certificate may be a simpler and more convenient solution.

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DV vs OV vs EV Multi-Domain SSL Certificates

Multi-Domain SSL certificates are available with different levels of validation. All provide strong HTTPS encryption and allow multiple hostnames to be included in one certificate, but they differ in the identity verification performed before issuance.

A DV Multi-Domain SSL certificate verifies control of the domains included in the certificate. Validation is generally fast and is suitable when HTTPS encryption and convenient multi-domain protection are the main requirements.

An OV Multi-Domain SSL certificate additionally verifies the identity of the organisation requesting the certificate. It is particularly suitable for companies and professional organisations that want their organisational identity to be validated.

An EV Multi-Domain SSL certificate involves the most extensive organisation validation process and is intended for organisations requiring the highest level of identity assurance available with publicly trusted SSL certificates.

The level of validation does not determine the strength of the encryption. The main difference between DV, OV and EV is the extent to which the Certificate Authority verifies the identity behind the certificate.

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Multi-Domain SSL vs Wildcard SSL: What’s the Difference?

Multi-Domain and Wildcard SSL certificates both allow several hostnames to be protected with a single certificate, but they solve different problems.

A Multi-Domain SSL certificate protects multiple specific domain names or hostnames. They can belong to completely different domains, such as example.com, company.net and anotherdomain.eu.

A Wildcard SSL certificate protects an unlimited number of first-level subdomains belonging to one domain, such as www.example.com, mail.example.com and shop.example.com.

If you need to protect several different domains, choose a Multi-Domain SSL certificate. If you have many subdomains under a single domain, a Wildcard SSL certificate is generally the more convenient solution.

For environments requiring both multiple domains and multiple subdomains, a Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL certificate combines the advantages of both approaches.

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What is a Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL Certificate?

A Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL certificate combines SAN and Wildcard functionality, allowing a single certificate to protect multiple domains together with selected groups of their subdomains.

Depending on the certificate, SAN entries can include both individual hostnames and Wildcard names such as:

*.example.com
*.company.net
shop.anotherdomain.eu

This provides greater flexibility for complex infrastructures where a standard Multi-Domain or Wildcard certificate alone would not be sufficient.

Multi-Domain Wildcard certificates are particularly useful for organizations operating multiple domains, applications and subdomains that want to consolidate SSL management into fewer certificates.

The exact number and type of SAN and Wildcard entries supported varies between products, so always check the specifications of the selected certificate.