Auto-Install Free SSL – Generate & Install Free SSL Certificates
View on WordPress.orgScores higher than 77% of indexed plugins
About
Generate & install Free SSL Certificates for WordPress, HTTPS redirect, get PADLOCK in the browser, get automatic Renewal Reminders from plugin.
Security History
What It Does
Auto-Install Free SSL generates and installs free SSL certificates on WordPress sites, then sets up HTTPS redirects so visitors land on secure pages automatically. It also sends renewal reminders before certificates expire, removing a common point of site downtime. In short, it handles the certificate plumbing so site owners do not have to touch server commands or shell into their host.
Who It's For
This plugin suits small business owners, bloggers, and budget-conscious site operators who want HTTPS without paying for a commercial certificate or hiring a sysadmin. It fits use cases like local businesses, nonprofits, startups, and small e-commerce or membership sites where customer trust matters but IT budgets are tight. Users comfortable clicking through a few setup screens and confirming DNS records will get the most out of it.
Who Should Skip It
Sites already provisioned with a paid wildcard SSL or managed by a host that handles Let's Encrypt automatically (such as Kinsta, WP Engine, or SiteGround) do not need this plugin. Enterprises with dedicated security teams, HSM-backed certificates, or strict compliance requirements should look at enterprise SSL workflows instead.
The Bottom Line
Auto-Install Free SSL delivers exactly what its name promises, scores well on ratings and maintenance, and pairs nicely with budget hosting that does not already issue free certificates. The main caveat is its modest install base and minimal support thread volume, which means edge-case issues may take longer to surface answers for. For a small site owner who wants one-click SSL without paying for a certificate, it is a solid pick, but busier sites may prefer the larger user communities of WP Force SSL or WP Encryption.
Related Plugins
Pick this if you only need redirect enforcement without certificate issuance, since it has 11 times the installs and a higher quality score.
Choose this for a more mature Let's Encrypt integration with 50,000 installs and a slightly higher overall score, especially on sites with more complex DNS setups.
Pick SSL Zen if you want similar certificate installation features with a marginally higher score, though both plugins serve nearly identical use cases.
Avoid unless you have a specific reason, since it has a much lower score of 63 and only 1,000 installs suggesting limited community trust.