Sectigo Code Signing Certificates: Compare OV and EV
Compare Sectigo Organization Validation and Extended Validation code signing options, understand the current key protection requirements, and review pricing before selecting a certificate for your software release process.
Choose your Sectigo Code Signing Certificate
Sectigo offers OV and EV code signing certificates for organizations distributing software. The right option depends on the level of organization validation required, the way the signing key will be protected, and any platform or procurement requirements your release process must meet.
Sectigo OV Code Signing Certificate
A practical option for eligible organizations that need to sign applications, installers, scripts, and other supported software files.
- Organization identity validation
- Private key generated and stored in suitable compliant hardware
- Multi-year terms require certificate reissuance during the term
- Suitable for supported software publishing workflows
Sectigo EV Code Signing Certificate
For organizations that need the more extensive identity verification of EV code signing or have requirements that specify EV validation.
- Extended Validation of the organization
- Hardware backed private key protection
- Confirm issuance and eligibility requirements before ordering
- Designed for public software distribution and higher assurance needs
Sectigo’s official product page currently displays $715/year for OV and $829/year for EV. Prices may depend on the selected purchase term or configuration, so verify the final price on Sectigo’s checkout page before ordering.
Sectigo Code Signing pricing comparison
Use this table to compare the prices currently displayed on Sectigo’s official product page and the main factors to confirm before ordering.
| Product | Price information | Validation | Key provisioning | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sectigo OV Code Signing | $715/year | Organization Validation | Compliant hardware with customer generated keys for applicable multi-year terms | Organizations needing OV code signing at the lower published starting price |
| Sectigo EV Code Signing | $829/year | Extended Validation | Hardware backed private key protection | Organizations that require EV or higher assurance validation |
| OV or EV multi-year term | Varies by term and type | OV or EV, as selected | Remote provisioning and certificate reissuance during the purchased term | Teams seeking a multi-year commercial term and predictable budget |
Sectigo’s official product page currently displays $715/year for OV and $829/year for EV. Confirm the selected product, purchase term, and final checkout price before ordering, as published pricing can change.
Compare Sectigo OV and EV requirements
Check validation level, hardware provisioning, and reissuance requirements against your software release workflow before selecting a certificate.
Understand multi-year terms and certificate validity
A multi-year purchase is a product term, not a promise that one issued certificate will remain valid for every year of that term. Sectigo’s current process limits newly issued code signing certificates to a maximum validity of 459 days and requires reissuance during a multi-year term.
From February 23, 2026, Sectigo says multi-year code signing is offered through remote provisioning using customer-generated keys. The subscriber needs a supported token, device, or HSM and must provide key attestation during ordering.
Read Sectigo’s validity and provisioning update ↗Check these items before you buy
- Confirm that your token or HSM is supported and meets the required compliance standard.
- Confirm remote provisioning and key attestation requirements for multi-year terms.
- Plan for certificate reissuance during the purchased term.
- Check whether your software platform or signing workflow requires OV or EV.
- Review the complete quote, shipping, renewal, and support terms.
OV vs EV: what is the difference?
Both certificate types help recipients verify the software publisher and detect changes made after signing. Their main difference is the level of identity validation and the requirements that apply to issuance.
| Comparison point | Sectigo OV | Sectigo EV |
|---|---|---|
| Organization checks | Organization Validation | Extended Validation with more extensive verification |
| Private key protection | Compliant hardware protection is required under current rules | Hardware backed private key protection |
| Pricing | $715/year as currently displayed on Sectigo’s official page | $829/year as currently displayed on Sectigo’s official page |
| Issuance process | Organization validation and supported key provisioning | EV eligibility and more extensive validation requirements |
| Warning and reputation outcomes | Does not guarantee that every warning disappears | Does not guarantee that every warning disappears |
Where Sectigo code signing fits
Code signing is used to associate supported software files with a verified publisher identity and help recipients check whether files have changed since they were signed.
Windows applications
Sign compatible executables, installers, DLLs, and other supported files using compatible signing tools.
Scripts and utilities
Sign supported scripts and utilities where the platform and file format accept code signatures.
Commercial software
Publishers can sign release files distributed directly to customers or through software download channels.
Build and release pipelines
Integrate signing into supported development workflows after confirming the required key provisioning method.
Validation and ordering requirements
Before issuance, Sectigo verifies the organization and the information required for the selected certificate type. OV and EV follow different validation processes, so prepare your legal organization details and contact information before applying.
Key generation, hardware provisioning, and attestation requirements may affect the ordering workflow. Review the current process rather than relying on instructions written for older certificate products.
Read Sectigo’s OV validation FAQ ↗For enterprise signing environments
Teams using centralized key infrastructure should assess HSM compatibility, key attestation, access control, and the signing workflow before selecting a product.
Sectigo also describes enterprise code signing and certificate management options for organizations with managed signing environments.
Explore Sectigo enterprise code signing ↗Sectigo Code Signing FAQs
How much does a Sectigo Code Signing Certificate cost?
Sectigo’s official product page currently displays $715/year for an OV Code Signing Certificate and $829/year for an EV Code Signing Certificate. Confirm the selected purchase term and final checkout price before purchasing, as pricing can change.
What is the difference between Sectigo OV and EV Code Signing?
OV verifies the organization under Organization Validation requirements. EV uses a more extensive identity verification process. Choose the option that matches your organization’s requirements and software distribution workflow.
Do Sectigo code signing certificates still use hardware tokens?
Private keys must be generated, stored, and used in suitable compliant hardware. Provisioning depends on the product and term. For applicable multi-year terms, Sectigo now requires remote provisioning with customer-generated keys and a supported token, device, or HSM.
Can I buy a five-year Sectigo Code Signing product?
Sectigo lists multi-year product terms. Since newly issued certificates are limited to 459 days, certificates must be reissued during the purchased term. The five-year term does not mean a single certificate stays valid for five years.
How long is a Sectigo Code Signing Certificate valid?
Sectigo says new code signing certificates have a maximum validity of 459 days under the current requirements. Review its latest validity and provisioning announcement for dates and process details.
Does EV Code Signing remove all SmartScreen warnings?
No. A certificate does not guarantee that every operating system warning will disappear. Reputation systems and platform security controls use multiple signals.
Can Sectigo code signing be used for CI/CD?
It may fit supported release automation workflows, but compatibility depends on the signing tools, platform, and key provisioning method. Verify the workflow and hardware requirements with Sectigo before implementation.
Compare Sectigo OV and EV before ordering
Review validation requirements, current pricing, key provisioning, and reissuance rules to choose the certificate that fits your software release process.
CodeSigningSolution is an independent information resource. Product terms and prices can change. Confirm current availability, pricing, validation, and hardware requirements with Sectigo before purchase.