AutoInstall SSL® is an automated SSL certificate deployment tool that manages your entire certificate lifecycle through a lightweight server agent. Once configured, it handles automated SSL installation, CSR creation, domain validation, and automated SSL certificate renewal on your web server. You set it up once, and the agent monitors your certificate daily from that point on.
Choose Your AutoInstall SSL® Plan
SSL Dragon includes AutoInstall SSL® with trusted DV certificates from RapidSSL and GeoTrust, backed by our highly rated support team. Each plan is an annual subscription, and each one also works with ACME, so you can use Certbot or another ACME client instead of the agent if you prefer.
RapidSSL + Automate
- AutoInstall SSL® included
- ACME compatible
- One Domain
- Domain Validation
- Issued in 5 minutes
$10,000 warranty
$23 /yr
GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium + Automate
- AutoInstall SSL® included
- ACME compatible
- One Domain
- Domain Validation
- Issued in 5 minutes
$500,000 warranty
$87 /yr
RapidSSL Wildcard + Automate
- AutoInstall SSL® included
- ACME compatible
- One Domain & All Subdomains
- Domain Validation
- Issued in 5 minutes
$10,000 warranty
$159 /yr
GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium Wildcard + Automate
- AutoInstall SSL® included
- ACME compatible
- One Domain & All Subdomains
- Domain Validation
- Issued in 5 minutes
$500,000 warranty
$285 /yr
All plans include: up to 256-bit encryption, a site seal, unlimited reissues, the AutoInstall SSL® agent for Apache, NGINX, and IIS, ACME support, and file-based or DNS-based validation. Wildcard certificates use DNS validation only.
How AutoInstall SSL® Works
Setup takes a few minutes. After that, your SSL certificate manages itself.
Purchase Your Bundle
Pick one of the four RapidSSL or GeoTrust automation plans. Your plan includes the SSL certificate, the AutoInstall SSL® agent, and the ACME support. Once payment is confirmed, you receive your unique token and agent installation instructions.
Install the Agent
Connect to your server and paste the provided terminal command. On Linux, you’ll use SSH. On Windows, open PowerShell. The command downloads and installs the agent, which takes about a minute to complete.
Run the Certificate Install Command
Paste the install command with your token and confirm your domain name. The agent generates the CSR, submits it to the Certificate Authority, completes domain validation, and installs the issued certificate on your web server.
Your Certificate Is Now on Autopilot
You’re done. The agent checks your certificate status every day. When expiration approaches, it renews 28 days in advance, validates the domain again, and installs the updated certificate automatically.
What AutoInstall SSL® Does for You
The automation agent replaces every manual step in the SSL certificate process.
Generates the CSR
No need to create a Certificate Signing Request through your server’s command line or control panel. The agent handles CSR generation automatically during each installation and renewal.
Stores the private key securely
Your private key is generated and stored directly on your server. It never leaves the machine.
Places the validation value
For file-based (HTTP) validation, the agent places the required file in the correct server directory. For DNS-based validation, it creates the necessary DNS record at supported DNS hosts.
Validates the domain with the CA
The agent communicates with the Certificate Authority to confirm domain ownership, completing validation without any input from you.
Downloads and installs the certificate
Once validated and issued, the certificate is downloaded, installed on your web server (Apache, NGINX, or IIS), and the server is restarted to apply changes.
Verifies the installation
After installing the certificate, the agent confirms it is active and properly configured.
Renews certificates before they expire
The agent monitors your certificate daily. With automatic renewal enabled, it triggers renewal 28 days before expiration and installs the new certificate without any action on your part.
Why Automate Installation and Renewal?
Since 15 March 2026, public SSL certificates can last no more than 200 days. The limit drops to 100 days in March 2027 and to 47 days in March 2029, when a domain validation can be reused for only 10 days. Renewing and reinstalling by hand at that pace becomes a recurring risk: a single missed renewal shows your visitors a “Your connection is not private” warning.
AutoInstall SSL® renews 28 days before every expiry, validates the domain again, and installs the new certificate, so shorter lifetimes add no work for you. For the full timeline and every automation option, see SSL certificate automation.
Supported Platforms and Servers
Before purchasing, confirm that your server environment meets these requirements.
Windows
- OS: Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025
- Web Server: IIS (Internet Information Services)
Linux
- Distributions: Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and other major distributions
- Web Servers: Apache and NGINX
Access Requirements
Root or admin access to your server is required, typically via SSH on Linux or RDP on Windows. The automation agent works on dedicated servers, VPS hosting, and cloud environments such as AWS EC2, Azure VM, GCP Compute, and DigitalOcean Droplets.
Environments Not Supported
The agent requires server-level access that shared hosting does not provide. It is also incompatible with website builders like Wix, Shopify, and Squarespace, as well as managed control panel environments such as cPanel and Plesk where root access is restricted. If your site runs on shared hosting, our SSL installation guides cover manual setup for over 80 platforms.
AutoInstall SSL® vs. Let’s Encrypt and Certbot
Free SSL automation tools have their place, but they come with trade-offs worth understanding before you commit.
- Commercially trusted certificates. These plans include certificates from RapidSSL and GeoTrust, established Certificate Authorities within the DigiCert family (which also includes Thawte). Free Let’s Encrypt certificates are widely accepted but carry no brand recognition.
- Warranty protection. Every plan includes warranty coverage: $10,000 with RapidSSL plans and up to $500,000 with GeoTrust plans. Let’s Encrypt certificates have no warranty.
- Site seal included. Your plan comes with a CA-issued site seal you can display on your website to reinforce visitor trust. Let’s Encrypt does not provide a site seal.
- 24/7 expert support. SSL Dragon’s support team helps with certificate selection, agent setup, and troubleshooting. Let’s Encrypt relies on community forums.
- Managed agent or your own client. The AutoInstall SSL® agent needs a one-time setup, then handles renewal, installation, and failure alerts for you. With Certbot or another ACME client, you configure renewal and installation yourself. Your plan supports both, so you can choose either.
- One annual fee, everything included. Your plan price covers a full year of the certificate, the AutoInstall SSL® agent, and ACME support. No separate charges.
Want ACME without the agent? SSL Dragon also offers ACME SSL Certificates from Sectigo and DigiCert.
Managing SSL Across Dozens or Hundreds of Domains?
AutoInstall SSL® and ACME work best for individual servers and small fleets. Once certificates are spread across teams, cloud accounts, and internal systems, the harder problem is knowing what you have. DigiCert One, through Trust Lifecycle Manager, discovers certificates across your network and automates renewal under one set of policies, however many domains you manage.
Why Choose SSL Dragon?
$23
Plans from $23/yr
Trusted RapidSSL and GeoTrust certificates, with AutoInstall SSL® and ACME support included in every plan.
24/7
Support that clients consistently praise
Fast response times, expert guidance, and a customer-first approach. Whether you need help choosing a plan, configuring the agent, or resolving an issue, our team is ready.
25 days
25-day money-back guarantee
Every SSL certificate from SSL Dragon includes a 25-day refund policy. If the product doesn’t fit your environment, you’re covered.
4.9 ★
Rated 4.9 out of 5
Over 1,100 verified buyers on Shopper Approved rate SSL Dragon among the top SSL certificate providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AutoInstall SSL®?
A server agent that automates your entire SSL certificate lifecycle. You set it up once, and it takes care of every step from there. At SSL Dragon, it comes with our RapidSSL and GeoTrust automation plans: domain validated (DV) certificates that also supports ACME.
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How Does AutoInstall SSL® Work
Install the agent with one terminal command, run the certificate install command with your token, and you’re done.
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Which SSL certificates are compatible?
The tool supports single-domain and wildcard DV certificates from RapidSSL and GeoTrust. SSL Dragon offers four plans: RapidSSL + Automate, RapidSSL Wildcard + Automate, GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium + Automate, and GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium Wildcard + Automate.
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What servers and operating systems are supported?
Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS) with Apache or NGINX, and Windows Server (2016–2025) with IIS. Server-level access via SSH or RDP is a prerequisite. Cloud VMs from AWS, Azure, GCP, and DigitalOcean are all compatible. Full details are listed in “Supported Platforms and Servers” above.
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Does it work with shared hosting?
No. Shared hosting lacks the server-level access the agent depends on. It works only where you have root or admin privileges. See “Environments Not Supported” above, or visit our SSL installation guides for manual setup options.
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How is AutoInstall SSL® different from Let’s Encrypt or Certbot?
The key differences are warranty coverage (up to $500,000), a CA-issued site seal, 24/7 support, and a managed agent that requires no ongoing maintenance. Because every plan also supports ACME, you can still use Certbot if you prefer, with a commercially trusted, warranty-backed certificate.
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How much do the plans cost?
Starting at $23/yr (RapidSSL + Automate) up to $285/yr (GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium Wildcard + Automate). Every plan includes the certificate, the AutoInstall SSL® agent, and ACME support for one year.
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Are wildcard certificates supported?
Yes. Both the RapidSSL Wildcard + Automate and GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium Wildcard + Automate plans cover unlimited subdomains on a single level (for example, shop.example.com, mail.example.com, app.example.com). Wildcard certificates require DNS-based validation, which the agent handles automatically for supported DNS hosts.
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Can I switch if I already have an SSL certificate from another provider?
Yes. The bundles include a new SSL certificate alongside the automation agent. If you currently hold a certificate from another provider, you can transition when your existing certificate comes up for renewal. Once configured, the agent manages all future renewals on its own.
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