GetHTTPS and SSL For Free both let you get free SSL certificates through a web browser. The critical difference is where your private key is generated. SSL For Free creates it on their server and sends it to you. GetHTTPS creates it in your browser and it never touches any server. This matters more than you might think.
Quick comparison
| Feature | GetHTTPS | SSL For Free |
|---|---|---|
| Private key generation | ✅ In your browser (Web Crypto API) | ⚠️ On their server |
| Private key exposure | Never sent anywhere | SSL For Free has had access |
| Certificate Authority | Let’s Encrypt | Let’s Encrypt (via ZeroSSL) |
| Free certificate limit | Unlimited | 3 |
| Wildcard support | ✅ Free | ❌ |
| Account required | No | Yes (email) |
| Ownership | Independent | Owned by ZeroSSL/Sectigo |
| Open source | No | No |
| Current status | Active, maintained | Redirects to ZeroSSL |
| Challenge types | HTTP-01, DNS-01 | HTTP, DNS, Email |
| Pre-check verification | ✅ | ❌ |
| ACME automation | Browser-based | None |
Why private key location matters
Your SSL certificate’s security depends on one thing: nobody else has your private key. If anyone — including the tool that helped you get the certificate — has a copy of your private key, they can:
- Decrypt your visitors’ traffic (if they can intercept it)
- Impersonate your website by setting up a server with the same key
- Undermine the entire purpose of HTTPS
When SSL For Free generates your key on their server, they’ve had access to it. Even if they immediately delete it (which you can’t verify), a breach of their systems could expose every private key they’ve ever generated.
GetHTTPS uses the Web Crypto API to generate keys directly in your browser. The key exists in browser memory only. When you click download, it goes to your local filesystem. No server — not even gethttps.com — ever sees it.
SSL For Free’s ownership changes
SSL For Free has changed hands multiple times:
- Originally — an independent tool by a solo developer
- Acquired by ZeroSSL — became a ZeroSSL frontend
- ZeroSSL acquired by Sectigo — now owned by a commercial CA
Today, sslforfree.com redirects to ZeroSSL. The independent spirit is gone. ZeroSSL uses SSL For Free as a marketing funnel for paid plans.
The verdict
| Your priority | Use |
|---|---|
| Privacy / private key security | GetHTTPS |
| No limits on free certificates | GetHTTPS |
| Need wildcard certificates | GetHTTPS |
| Want email validation | ZeroSSL (SSL For Free redirects there) |
Bottom line: If you’re currently using SSL For Free, switch to GetHTTPS. You get the same convenience (browser-based, no installation) with fundamentally better security (private key never leaves your device) and no certificate limits.
Frequently asked questions
Is SSL For Free still available?
Sort of. The domain sslforfree.com now redirects to ZeroSSL. The original independent tool no longer exists. If you want a browser-based alternative, GetHTTPS is the closest replacement — but with better privacy.
Should I revoke certificates I got from SSL For Free?
If you generated certificates through SSL For Free’s web interface (where the key was generated server-side), it’s good practice to replace them with new certificates where you control the key from generation. You don’t strictly need to revoke the old ones — they’ll expire in 90 days — but you should stop using the old private keys.
Does GetHTTPS use Let’s Encrypt too?
Yes. GetHTTPS connects directly to Let’s Encrypt’s ACME API. The certificates are issued by Let’s Encrypt, just like SSL For Free used to provide. The difference is entirely in how the private key is handled.
Can I get a wildcard certificate with GetHTTPS?
Yes. GetHTTPS supports wildcard certificates via DNS-01 challenge at no cost. SSL For Free’s free tier did not support wildcards.
How do I know if my private key was generated server-side?
If you used SSL For Free’s web interface (a form where you entered your domain and clicked “Generate”), the key was generated on their server. If you used an ACME client (Certbot, acme.sh) pointed at their ACME endpoint, the key was generated locally. With GetHTTPS, the key is always generated in your browser — you can verify this in the browser DevTools Network tab (no outbound request containing key material).