Dynamic

Wildcard Certificate vs Multi-Domain Certificate

Developers should use wildcard certificates when managing multiple subdomains under a single domain, as it reduces administrative overhead and costs compared to purchasing separate certificates for each subdomain meets developers should use multi-domain certificates when managing multiple domains or subdomains for a single application or organization, such as in microservices architectures, multi-tenant systems, or corporate websites with regional variations. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

Wildcard Certificate

Developers should use wildcard certificates when managing multiple subdomains under a single domain, as it reduces administrative overhead and costs compared to purchasing separate certificates for each subdomain

Wildcard Certificate

Nice Pick

Developers should use wildcard certificates when managing multiple subdomains under a single domain, as it reduces administrative overhead and costs compared to purchasing separate certificates for each subdomain

Pros

  • +It is particularly useful for scalable web applications, development environments, or corporate intranets where subdomains are dynamically created or frequently updated
  • +Related to: ssl-tls, public-key-infrastructure

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Multi-Domain Certificate

Developers should use Multi-Domain Certificates when managing multiple domains or subdomains for a single application or organization, such as in microservices architectures, multi-tenant systems, or corporate websites with regional variations

Pros

  • +They are ideal for reducing administrative overhead and ensuring consistent security across all domains, making them cost-effective for projects with complex domain structures
  • +Related to: ssl-tls, public-key-infrastructure

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Wildcard Certificate if: You want it is particularly useful for scalable web applications, development environments, or corporate intranets where subdomains are dynamically created or frequently updated and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Multi-Domain Certificate if: You prioritize they are ideal for reducing administrative overhead and ensuring consistent security across all domains, making them cost-effective for projects with complex domain structures over what Wildcard Certificate offers.

🧊
The Bottom Line
Wildcard Certificate wins

Developers should use wildcard certificates when managing multiple subdomains under a single domain, as it reduces administrative overhead and costs compared to purchasing separate certificates for each subdomain

Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev