Software Publishers Certificate

Before launching any software, the developer must sign and timestamp it digitally. And to do so, software publishers use the Code Signing Certificate. It helps the software publishers to secure the source code, enhance business trustworthiness and make systems accept the application as legitimate. Additionally, using a Software Publisher Certificate aligns you with industry standards, assuring to eliminate Unknown Publisher Warning.


Product Name	Certera Code Signing	Certera EV Code Signing	Sectigo Code SigningFormerly Comodo	Sectigo EV Code SigningFormerly Comodo	DigiCert Code Signing
	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
RSA Encryption Key	3072-bit or 4096-bit	3072-bit or 4096-bit	3072-bit or 4096-bit	3072-bit or 4096-bit	3072-bit or 4096-bit
Microsoft SmartScreen Reputation Boost Up
Issuance for Individual Developers
Universal Platform Compatibility
Supported File Formats	32-Bit And 64-Bit	32-Bit And 64-Bit	32-Bit And 64-Bit	32-Bit And 64-Bit	32-Bit And 64-Bit
Issuance Time	1 to 5 Days	1 to 5 Days	1 to 5 Days	1 to 5 Days	1 to 5 Days
Validation Required	Business/Individual	Full Business Validation	Business/Individual	Full Business Validation	Business
Physical USB Token Storage
Displays Business Name
Display Name & Types of the Business
Sign Unlimited Code, Scripts & Executables
Separate Private Key Storage
	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

Software Publisher Certificate Validation Levels

Whether you purchase Windows Code Signing Certificate or any other, you must select a validation level. It will define the level of security and authenticity of your software. Further, the Primary three levels include:

Individual Validation Code Signing (IV)

IV Code Signing Certificate is the only digital certificate available for independent software developers. To avail of it, you don't need to have a registered company and a high budget. It is available at a low cost, and its vetting process also gets completed within minutes.

Furthermore, it’s the lowest validation level, opening a slight probability for users to face an Unknown Publisher Warning. However, if your purchase it from a trusted provider, you can prevent system alerts.

Individual Validation Code Signing Certificates leverage with:

Optimizes your brand name’s trust across all major platforms
Improves authenticity and productivity
Protect software from unauthorized alterations

Buy Individual Code Signing Certificate

Organization Validation Code Signing (OV)

OV Code Signing Certificate is above the IV certificate, and only registered companies can utilize it. Its vetting procedure is rigorous, as Certificate Authority verifies all the details with government databases.

Whether you are a startup or a large enterprise, each one must sign their software before release. In addition, online app stores only allow applications with Code Signing Certificates to get listed on the charts.

Further, OV Code Signing Certificates leverage with:

Limitless software validity with timestamping
Elimination of Unknown Publisher Warning
Recognition as a legitimate publisher across Windows, Linux, and macOS
The unlimited signing of files of different types

Buy OV Code Signing Certificate

Extended Validation Code Signing (EV)

EV Code Signing Certificates are for organizations requiring more solid security than OV certificates. Likewise, the OV certificate, EV is also only for firms. But, CA takes around 1 to 5 days to complete its validation procedure.

Certificate Authority strictly follows every CA/B Forum guideline during the Extended Validation process. As a result, any discrepancy leads you to start from the beginning. And once you fulfill the criteria and the CA issues the EV Code Signing Certificate, you get the benefits of it.

EV Code Signing Certificates leverage with:

Your software users don't face Windows Defender SmartScreen warnings.
CA provides a private key in a hardware token.
Every operating system treats your software as authentic.

Buy EV Code Signing Certificate

How Software Publisher Certificate Works?

Software Publisher Certificate functions on the fundamentals of hashing and encryption. When you select the file to get signed, it hashes its content and creates a hashed file. Further, it encrypts the hashed file and integrates your signature and a timestamp. To encrypt the file, it uses the private key, and as a result, you get the signed software.

Further, when an end-user initiates the installation of signed software, the system verifies the signature, CA details, and timestamp data. If the software satisfies the system's criteria, installation begins.

Why a Software Publisher Requires a Digital Certificate?

Build confidence among users about the brand
Prevents malicious actors from altering source code
Removes Unknown Publisher Warnings
Sign and timestamp unbounded executable files
Supported by all major OS and digital platforms
Maintain data integrity and confidentiality

Where to Buy Software Publisher Certificate?

SignMyCode is the One-Stop Solution to buy any Code Signing Certificate. You can leverage the partnership between SignMyCode and Certificate Authorities to get a certificate at a low price. In addition, you will get 24/7 support and unique and easy-to-understand guides, resolving every complication within minutes.

SignMyCode provides certificates from top CAs, including Sectigo, Comodo, DigiCert and Certera. You can buy any CA certificate of any validation level. And all of it will get delivered directly from the Certificate Authority. Therefore, systems treat your software as authentic, and users will see no warnings.

Buy Code Signing Certificate

Comparison Between Standard Vs EV Code Signing

Organization Validated Code Signing	VS	Extended Validation Code Signing
Buy Now		Buy Now
Standard verification of applicant's identity and authorization.	Validation Process	Rigorous validation of applicant's identity, authority, and operational existence.
Organic SmartScreen Reputation	MS SmartScreen	Instant SmartScreen Reputation
Helps protect against malware and tampering by verifying the authenticity and integrity of code.	Protection against Malware	Provides enhanced protection against malware and tampering through rigorous validation and verification processes.
Only older Windows 10 drivers are included	Microsoft Windows Compatibility	Accessible to kernel-mode drivers and Windows 10+ drivers
Provides a basic level of trust to users.	Level of Trust	Offers a higher level of trust and confidence to users.
Photo ID and a phone number are required for individual developers. And for Organizations, Business registration information and a public phone number	Paperwork Required	Business registration information includes the actual office address, years of operation, and a public phone number.
Starting with $210.99/Year	Pricing	Starting with $274.99/Year
Buy Now		Buy Now

The Fundamental Roles in Code Signing Ecosystem

The Code Signing Certificate Ecosystem consists of the following stakeholders:

Certificate Authorities (CAs)

Certificate Authority is the primary entity in the ecosystem responsible for issuing Code Signing Certificates to genuine publishers. Also, the CA is responsible for validating the developer's details to decide whether to provide a digital certificate.
Software Publisher

Software Publisher is the individual or the organization providing the applications to consumers. A publisher undergoes the vetting process to avail Code Signing Certificate to tamper-proof the source code.
Software Distributor

Software Distributor is the entity through which a customer purchases the software. For instance, if you buy a Microsoft Windows OS from Amazon, then Amazon is the software distributor.
Software Consumer

Software Consumer is the end-user who installs the software on their machine and utilizes it. When a consumer installs software, the system analyses publisher’s signature and CA details.

What to Expect after using a Software Publisher Certificate?

Once you sign the software, you don’t have to fret about the Unknown Publisher Warning. Each customer will seamlessly install the application, regardless of the operating system. In addition, your software will be safe from malicious actors, as the code will be in an encrypted format.

In the image with the title Unverified Publisher, the system shows an Unknown Publisher Warning due to non-signing of the software. However, in a verified Publisher's case, the system asks the user to move further in the installation process.

Hence, your customers will experience flawless installation after you sign your software.

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REVIEWS Real customer ratings and reviews at

Joakim L.

I purchased a code signing certificate from SignMyCode. Then realized that I needed an EV certificate. Customer support was extremely quick and service-minded, and I could easily upgrade.

Akos S.

I purchased a code signing certificate as a beginner and have got helpful customer support to go through the necessary process and use it for my product.

John M.

My best experience ever purchasing a code signing certificate. I love the certificate; the token is delivered to a central portal where I can find it anytime.