SSL.com OV Code Signing Certificate
Verify your organization and associate your company's verified name with digitally signed software. SSL.com OV Code Signing is designed for software companies, ISVs and organizations distributing signed applications.
Check Official SSL.com PricingSSL.com currently lists the one year OV Code Signing Certificate at $129. Longer purchase terms reduce the annualized certificate cost.
What Is SSL.com OV Code Signing?
OV stands for Organization Validation. An OV Code Signing Certificate verifies the identity of an organization before it can sign software under that organization's name.
Built for organizations
SSL.com positions OV Code Signing for software companies, independent software vendors, enterprise teams and other organizations distributing digitally signed software.
The certificate associates the verified organization identity with supported signed binaries, giving users a way to identify the publisher behind an application.
Company identity matters
Unlike an IV certificate, which validates an individual developer, OV validates an organization and uses the verified organization identity for the signed software.
If you are an independent developer without a registered organization, SSL.com's IV Code Signing product is generally the more appropriate option.
SSL.com OV Code Signing: Key Details
The certificate combines organization validation, protected signing key options and support for Windows Authenticode workflows.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Certificate type | Organization Validation |
| Issuer | SSL.com |
| Intended users | Software companies, ISVs and organizations |
| Business entity required | Yes |
| Organization name | Verified legal organization name |
| One year price | $129/year |
| Two year annual rate | $116.10/year |
| Three year annual rate | $109.65/year |
| Four year annual rate | $103.20/year |
| Five year annual rate | $96.75/year |
| Key protection | Hardware token, HSM or eSigner |
| YubiKey | $379 |
| Cloud signing | eSigner for Code |
| Authenticode | Supported |
| CI/CD | Supported through eSigner |
| Timestamping | Supported |
| Validation | Organization validation |
How Much Does SSL.com OV Code Signing Cost?
SSL.com's current official pricing starts at $129 for a one year term. Longer purchase terms reduce the annualized certificate cost.
| Certificate term | Annualized price |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $129.00/year |
| 2 years | $116.10/year |
| 3 years | $109.65/year |
| 4 years | $103.20/year |
| 5 years | $96.75/year |
Additional infrastructure costs: The $129 certificate price does not include every signing infrastructure option. SSL.com separately lists a $379 YubiKey option, while eSigner is a separate cloud signing service. Customer managed HSM options are also separately priced.
Compare Code Signing Certificate Options
Compare validation levels, signing methods and purchasing considerations before choosing the certificate and key protection setup that fits your software release process.
Review the Buying GuideHow SSL.com OV Code Signing Works
The signing process binds a software release to a protected private key and an organization validated certificate.
SSL.com first validates the organization. After issuance, the signing key is stored using an approved hardware or cloud HSM based method. The resulting signature allows users and security tools to verify the publisher identity and detect modification to signed content.
SSL.com OV Code Signing Validation
OV Code Signing requires the organization to be verified before the certificate can be issued. SSL.com's current process includes organization information, agreements and a successful callback to a listed telephone number.
Organization information
The applicant provides information needed to identify and validate the organization.
Agreements
Required subscriber and authorization agreements form part of the validation process.
Telephone callback
SSL.com currently describes a successful callback to a listed telephone number as part of standard validation.
Standard validation
SSL.com currently shows standard validation at approximately 3 to 5 business days.
Expedited validation
An expedited validation option is available for an additional fee.
Issuance
The certificate is issued after the required organization validation steps have been completed successfully.
Do You Need a Registered Company for SSL.com OV Code Signing?
Yes. OV Code Signing is intended for organizations and the organization must be validated before the certificate can be issued.
Choose OV for a registered organization
OV is a natural fit when software is published under a legal organization identity and you want the verified company name associated with distributed binaries.
Choose IV if you are an individual
If you are an independent developer without a business entity, SSL.com's IV Code Signing Certificate is designed for individual validation instead.
What Organization Name Appears With SSL.com OV Code Signing?
One of the main reasons organizations choose OV Code Signing is publisher identification. The verified organization name is associated with supported signed software.
Commercial applications
Associate the verified organization identity with distributed desktop software.
Enterprise software
Identify the organization behind business applications and internal tools.
Installers
Sign supported installer packages before distributing them to customers.
Internal applications
Use organization validated signing for internal utilities and business software.
Developer tools
Associate signed utilities and development software with the verified publisher.
Customer portals
Provide signed software through customer distribution environments with a verifiable publisher identity.
SSL.com OV Code Signing Private Key Protection
The private signing key requires protected storage. SSL.com provides physical hardware, cloud HSM and customer managed HSM options.
YubiKey
A physical hardware token can store the private key and support controlled signing operations. SSL.com currently lists the option at $379.
Cloud HSM
eSigner for Code provides cloud based signing infrastructure and uses a FIPS 140-2 Level 3 cloud HSM to protect signing keys.
Customer Managed HSM
Organizations can use supported cloud or on premises HSM infrastructure subject to SSL.com's required attestation.
Build server separation
Cloud signing can keep the signing key away from the build server rather than storing the credential in the build environment.
Manual signing
A hardware token can fit controlled workstation based signing for occasional releases.
Automated signing
Cloud signing can fit frequent releases and CI/CD workflows where a physical token is impractical.
SSL.com OV Code Signing With a YubiKey
SSL.com currently lists a $379 YubiKey option for protecting the private signing key. This is separate from the $129 certificate price.
The hardware cost is separate from the certificate. Confirm the current hardware model and availability with SSL.com before purchase.
A physical token can be practical for organizations that sign releases manually from a controlled workstation and do not need continuous automated signing.
SSL.com OV Code Signing With a Customer Managed HSM
Organizations with existing cloud or on premises HSM infrastructure can use supported customer managed HSM options, subject to SSL.com's attestation process.
Current listed starting point
SSL.com's current OV product page lists customer managed cloud HSM options beginning at $500, with separate attestation fees depending on the provider.
Why enterprises use HSMs
Customer managed HSM infrastructure can fit organizations that already operate centralized key management and want signing keys protected within their own approved infrastructure.
SSL.com OV Code Signing With eSigner for Code
eSigner for Code is designed for organizations that need signing to become part of a repeatable CI/CD workflow without physically connecting a USB token to the build server.
Cloud HSM backed
SSL.com states that eSigner uses a FIPS 140-2 Level 3 cloud HSM to protect signing keys.
Multiple integration paths
eSigner supports CKA, REST APIs and integrations with major CI/CD platforms and can connect standard signing tools such as signtool.exe.
GitHub Actions
Integrate signing into GitHub based release automation.
Jenkins
Use cloud signing within Jenkins based pipelines.
Azure DevOps
Connect signing with Azure DevOps release workflows.
GitLab CI
Use eSigner with GitLab CI based automation.
CircleCI
Integrate signing into CircleCI workflows.
TeamCity
Connect signing with TeamCity based delivery pipelines.
SSL.com eSigner for Code Pricing
eSigner is an additional signing service and is not included in the $129/year OV certificate price.
| Tier | Monthly price | Included signings | Credentials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $15/month | 240 | 1 |
| Tier 2 | $63.75/month | 1,200 | 5 |
| Tier 3 | $131.25/month | 3,600 | 9 |
| Tier 4 | $187.50/month | 12,000 | 13 |
Current offer: SSL.com currently gives new certificates 30 days of eSigner cloud signing before subscription charges apply, according to the supplied product research.
SSL.com OV Code Signing for Windows
OV Code Signing supports the Microsoft Authenticode workflow for supported Windows software distributed to end users.
EXE
Sign supported Windows executable applications.
DLL
Sign supported Windows dynamic libraries.
MSI
Sign supported Windows installer packages.
CAB
Sign supported CAB packages within compatible Authenticode workflows.
PowerShell
Use supported Authenticode signing workflows for PowerShell scripts.
Other Authenticode files
Verify exact current format support for a specific file type before publishing compatibility claims.
How to Sign Windows Software With SSL.com OV
A production signing process should validate the release before signing, timestamp the signature and verify the final artifact.
Typical sequence: Build → Test → Sign → Timestamp → Verify → Release.
Does SSL.com OV Code Signing Remove SmartScreen Warnings?
No. Publisher identity and reputation are different.
SSL.com's current page says a new OV certificate starts without established SmartScreen reputation and that reputation develops through clean download history. An OV certificate therefore does not guarantee that every newly released application will immediately run without a SmartScreen warning.
What OV establishes
The certificate establishes a verified organization identity for supported signed software.
What SmartScreen does
SmartScreen reputation develops separately through Microsoft's reputation systems and software usage.
Why Timestamp SSL.com OV Signed Software?
Timestamping records when the signature was created and is an important part of a production Code Signing workflow.
Preserve signing time
A timestamp provides evidence of when the code was signed rather than relying only on the certificate's current validity.
Production best practice
SSL.com explicitly recommends timestamping signed code. A practical sequence is Sign → Timestamp → Verify.
A properly timestamped signature can remain useful beyond certificate expiration, subject to the applicable trust and signature conditions.
SSL.com OV vs IV Code Signing
The main difference is the identity being validated. OV is for organizations, while IV is for individual developers without a business entity.
| Feature | SSL.com OV | SSL.com IV |
|---|---|---|
| Validation | Organization | Individual |
| Business entity | Required | Not required |
| Identity displayed | Verified organization name | Verified personal name |
| Target user | Software companies and ISVs | Independent developers |
| Windows signing | Yes | Yes |
| Hardware token | Supported | Supported |
| HSM | Supported | Supported |
| eSigner | Supported | Supported |
| CI/CD | Supported | Supported |
| Best suited for | Registered organizations | Individual developers |
SSL.com OV vs EV Code Signing
OV is intended for standard organization validated software distribution. EV provides higher validation assurance and is required for the kernel mode driver signing and Windows Hardware Dev Center workflows identified in SSL.com's current comparison.
| Feature | SSL.com OV | SSL.com EV |
|---|---|---|
| Validation | Organization Validation | Extended Validation |
| Business entity | Required | Required |
| Publisher identity | Verified organization | Higher validation assurance |
| Windows signing | Yes | Yes |
| Kernel mode driver signing | No | Yes |
| Windows Hardware Dev Center | No | Yes |
| Hardware or cloud HSM | Supported | Supported |
| eSigner | Supported | Supported |
| SmartScreen | Reputation builds over time | Reputation also builds through usage |
| Best suited for | Standard software distribution | Higher assurance and driver signing |
Who Should Use SSL.com OV Code Signing?
The strongest differentiator is the ability to associate a verified organization identity with distributed signed software.
Software Companies
Sign desktop applications, installers and other supported binaries under your company's verified identity.
ISVs
Associate the legal organization identity with software distributed to customers.
Enterprise IT Teams
Sign internal utilities, management agents, patch packages and other organization controlled software.
Open Source Organizations
A registered foundation or legal organization can associate its verified name with distributed binaries.
Developer Tool Vendors
Provide signed utilities and development software with a verifiable publisher identity.
Customer Software Portals
Distribute signed applications through customer facing download environments.
SSL.com OV Code Signing for CI/CD
For frequent automated releases, cloud signing can remove the need to attach a physical token to the build environment while keeping the signing key inside protected signing infrastructure.
Modern workflow: Source Code → Build → Automated Testing → Security Checks → eSigner → Timestamp → Signature Verification → Release.
The private key stays within the signing infrastructure instead of being copied into source repositories, environment variables or build servers.
SSL.com OV Code Signing Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Validation | Organization Validation |
| Organization required | Yes |
| Current one year price | $129 |
| Two year annualized price | $116.10 |
| Three year annualized price | $109.65 |
| Four year annualized price | $103.20 |
| Five year annualized price | $96.75 |
| Hardware token | YubiKey |
| YubiKey price | $379 |
| Cloud signing | eSigner for Code |
| Customer HSM | Supported |
| Authenticode | Supported |
| CI/CD | Supported through eSigner |
| Timestamping | Supported |
| Kernel mode drivers | EV required |
| Validation speed | Standard 3 to 5 business days |
| Expedited validation | Available for additional fee |
Signing Tools and Integration Options
SSL.com's eSigner CKA can connect the signing operation with standard signing tools such as signtool.exe and with automated release infrastructure.
SignTool
Microsoft's standard command line tool for supported Windows signing and verification workflows.
CKA integration
Connect cloud protected signing keys with supported signing workflows.
REST APIs
Automate signing operations through API based workflows where supported.
CI/CD platforms
Integrate signing into GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, Azure DevOps and other supported environments.
SSL.com OV Code Signing FAQs
What is SSL.com OV Code Signing Certificate?
It is an Organization Validated Code Signing Certificate that verifies a company's identity and associates the verified organization name with digitally signed software.
How much does SSL.com OV Code Signing cost?
The current one year price is $129. Longer terms are currently priced at $116.10, $109.65, $103.20 and $96.75 per year for two through five year terms respectively.
Do I need a registered organization for SSL.com OV Code Signing?
Yes. OV Code Signing validates an organization. Individual developers without a business entity should consider SSL.com's IV Code Signing product.
Can SSL.com OV Code Signing sign EXE files?
Yes. OV Code Signing supports Microsoft Authenticode signing for supported Windows executable formats.
Can I use SSL.com OV Code Signing for MSI files?
Yes. MSI files can be signed using the Windows Authenticode signing workflow.
Does SSL.com OV Code Signing require a USB token?
Not necessarily. SSL.com provides hardware token, supported HSM and eSigner cloud signing options.
How much is the SSL.com YubiKey option?
SSL.com currently lists the YubiKey option at $379. This is separate from the OV certificate price.
Can I use SSL.com OV Code Signing with GitHub Actions?
Yes. SSL.com lists GitHub Actions among the CI/CD platforms that can integrate with eSigner for Code.
Does OV Code Signing immediately remove SmartScreen warnings?
No. SSL.com states that SmartScreen reputation for a new OV certificate builds over time through clean download history.
Can SSL.com OV Code Signing be used for kernel mode drivers?
No. SSL.com's current product comparison identifies EV Code Signing as the certificate required for kernel mode driver signing.
Can I use OV Code Signing for macOS applications?
Do not treat SSL.com OV Code Signing as a replacement for Apple's Developer ID signing infrastructure. Apple's signing and notarization requirements remain separate.
What happens when my OV certificate expires?
A properly timestamped signature can remain valid beyond certificate expiration, subject to applicable trust and signature conditions. SSL.com recommends timestamping signed code at signing time.
Is SSL.com OV better than IV Code Signing?
Neither is universally better. OV is designed for organizations and associates the verified organization name with software. IV is designed for individual developers and does not require a business entity.
Does SSL.com OV support eSigner for CI/CD?
Yes. SSL.com supports eSigner for Code with OV certificates and lists integrations including GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitLab CI, CircleCI and TeamCity.
How long does SSL.com OV validation take?
SSL.com currently shows standard validation at 3 to 5 business days, with expedited validation available for an additional fee.
Check SSL.com OV Code Signing Pricing
Review the current $129 one year price, organization validation requirements, protected key options and eSigner integrations directly with SSL.com before purchasing.
View Official SSL.com Pricing