What is the main difference between SSL and TLS?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the older, deprecated protocol, while TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the modern, secure successor. TLS provides stronger encryption, better security, and improved performance. All SSL versions have known vulnerabilities and should not be used.

Why do we still call them 'SSL certificates' if we use TLS?

The term 'SSL certificate' remains popular due to historical naming conventions. Technically, modern certificates use TLS protocol, but the certificates themselves are the same. The name 'SSL certificate' is simply more recognizable to most people.

Is HTTPS the same as SSL or TLS?

HTTPS (HTTP Secure) is not a separate encryption protocol. It's the combination of HTTP (web traffic) running over an encrypted TLS/SSL connection. HTTPS uses TLS (or historically SSL) to encrypt the HTTP traffic.

Which TLS version should I use?

You should use TLS 1.2 or TLS 1.3. TLS 1.3 is the latest and most secure version, offering faster handshakes and better security. TLS 1.0 and 1.1 are deprecated and should be disabled due to known vulnerabilities.

How do I know which TLS version my website uses?

You can check your website's TLS configuration using our free SSL Checker tool or Qualys SSL Labs Server Test. These tools show which TLS versions are enabled and provide a security grade for your configuration.

What happens if I disable old SSL/TLS versions?

Disabling old SSL and TLS versions (TLS 1.0, 1.1) may prevent very old browsers from connecting. However, less than 1% of internet users use browsers that don't support TLS 1.2, so the security benefits far outweigh compatibility concerns.

Is TLS 1.3 faster than TLS 1.2?

Yes, TLS 1.3 is significantly faster. It reduces the handshake from 2 round-trips to 1 round-trip, and supports 0-RTT resumption for returning visitors. This can reduce connection time by 50-100ms or more.

Does my SSL certificate work with TLS 1.3?

Yes, SSL/TLS certificates are protocol-independent. The same certificate works with TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3. You just need to enable TLS 1.3 on your server; no certificate change is required.

SSL vs TLS vs HTTPS: What's the Difference?

Quick Overview

SSL

Legacy encryption protocol, now deprecated

Deprecated

TLS

Modern, secure encryption protocol

Current Standard

HTTPS

HTTP protocol secured with TLS/SSL

Application Layer

Recommended

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All our certificates use the latest TLS 1.3 protocol

Modern TLS Certificate

Starting at $9.99/year

TLS 1.3 Support
Perfect Forward Secrecy
Fast Handshake
Strong Encryption

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SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

Important Note

SSL is no longer considered secure and has been deprecated. However, the term "SSL certificate" is still commonly used to refer to TLS certificates.

SSL Version History

SSL 1.0

Never Released

SSL 2.0 (1995)

Deprecated

SSL 3.0 (1996)

Deprecated

TLS (Transport Layer Security)

TLS is the modern successor to SSL, providing stronger security, better performance, and continuous improvements. When people say "SSL certificate" today, they usually mean TLS certificate. The current standard is defined in RFC 8446.

TLS Version Timeline

TLS 1.0 (1999)

Deprecated

TLS 1.1 (2006)

Deprecated

TLS 1.2 (2008)

Widely Supported

TLS 1.3 (2018)

Latest Standard

TLS 1.2 Features

• AES encryption support
• SHA-256 hashing
• Better cipher suites
• Improved security

TLS 1.3 Improvements

• Faster handshake (1-RTT)
• Perfect Forward Secrecy
• Stronger encryption only
• Better privacy protection

Recommended

Upgrade to TLS 1.3

Experience faster, more secure connections

TLS 1.3 Certificate

Starting at $9.99/year

50% Faster Handshake
Enhanced Privacy
Future-Proof Security

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HTTPS (HTTP Secure)

HTTPS is not a separate protocol but rather HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) running over a TLS/SSL connection. It's what you see in your browser's address bar.

How HTTPS Works

HTTP Request

TLS Encryption

Secure Transfer

HTTPS Benefits

Security Benefits

• Data encryption in transit
• Server authentication
• Data integrity protection
• Protection against eavesdropping

Business Benefits

• Improved SEO rankings
• Enhanced user trust
• Compliance requirements
• Professional appearance

Quick Comparison

Aspect	SSL	TLS	HTTPS
Current Status	Deprecated	Active	Standard
Security Level	Weak	Strong	Depends on TLS
Performance	Slow	Fast (1.3)	Good
Browser Support	Limited	Universal	Universal

Our Recommendations

What You Should Use

Use TLS 1.2 or 1.3 for new implementations
Enable HTTPS on all websites and web applications
Disable SSL 2.0/3.0 and TLS 1.0/1.1 for security
Use strong cipher suites and perfect forward secrecy

SSL vs TLS vs HTTPS: What's the Difference?

Quick Overview

SSL

TLS

HTTPS

Get Modern TLS Security

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

Important Note

SSL Version History

TLS (Transport Layer Security)

TLS Version Timeline

TLS 1.2 Features

TLS 1.3 Improvements

Upgrade to TLS 1.3

HTTPS (HTTP Secure)

How HTTPS Works

HTTPS Benefits

Security Benefits

Business Benefits

Quick Comparison

Our Recommendations

What You Should Use

Frequently Asked Questions

Still Have Questions?