SSL Certificates: DV vs OV vs EV Which One to Choose?
Introduction
SSL/TLS certificates encrypt traffic between browsers and servers. The three common validation levels are Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV). They all provide encryption; what changes is how much identity vetting is done before issuance.
What each one verifies
- DV (Domain Validation): proves you control the domain. Fast and affordable; ideal for personal sites, blogs, small projects, and APIs.
- OV (Organization Validation): verifies the legal entity (business or NGO) behind the domain. Shows organization details in the certificate; suitable for brands that want higher assurance.
- EV (Extended Validation): most stringent checks (legal, operational, and domain control). Modern browsers no longer show a green bar, but EV still provides the highest identity assurance on paper; often used by regulated or high-risk services.
Comparison table
| Attribute | DV | OV | EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is validated | Domain control | Domain + legal entity | Domain + extended legal & operational checks |
| Issuance time | Minutes | Hours to days | Days to weeks |
| Browser UI | Padlock | Padlock | Padlock (no special green bar in modern UIs) |
| Wildcard available | Yes | Yes | Typically no wildcard |
| SAN / multi-domain | Available | Available | Available |
| Price | Low (even free via ACME) | Medium | High |
| Best for | Personal sites, blogs, staging, APIs | SMBs, brands, customer portals | Banks, fintech, high-risk or regulated apps |
Benefits and usage
All three encrypt data. Higher validation (OV/EV) adds business identity vetting, which can improve user trust and may help compliance requirements. Encryption strength (TLS version/ciphers) does not depend on DV/OV/EV; it is configured on your server.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose DV if you need fast, automated issuance (e.g., Lets Encrypt) for blogs, marketing sites, APIs, or internal tools.
- Choose OV if you represent a company and want your legal entity verified in the certificate (useful in B2B and portals).
- Choose EV if a regulator, RFP, or internal risk policy explicitly requires EV-level vetting.
Tip: Pair your choice with HSTS, modern TLS (1.2+), OCSP stapling, and proper key/cipher settings for real-world security and performance.
Conclusion
Pick the validation level based on purpose, trust needs, and budget. DV is enough for most sites; OV adds organizational assurance; EV is for strict compliance scenarios. Regardless of type, configure TLS correctly to keep users safe and your site fast.