HTTP vs HTTPS
HTTP and HTTPS are the same underlying protocol for transferring web data - HTTPS simply adds TLS encryption on top, protecting the data in transit between browser and server from being read or tampered with.
There's essentially no reason to run a public website on plain HTTP today - free certificate providers like Let's Encrypt removed the cost barrier, and modern browsers actively warn users away from unencrypted sites.
Side by side
| HTTP | HTTPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | None - data sent in plain text | Encrypted via TLS/SSL |
| Default port | 80 | 443 |
| Data integrity | Vulnerable to tampering in transit | Protected - tampering is detectable |
| Browser treatment | Marked "Not Secure" in modern browsers | Shown as secure (padlock icon) |
| SEO impact | None inherently, but browser warnings hurt trust | Minor ranking signal, plus better user trust |
| Setup requirement | None | Requires an SSL/TLS certificate |
The verdict
There's essentially no reason to run a public website on plain HTTP today - free certificate providers like Let's Encrypt removed the cost barrier, and modern browsers actively warn users away from unencrypted sites. HTTPS should be the default for anything beyond a purely local development environment.
Frequently asked questions
01Does HTTPS slow down a website?
The overhead is negligible on modern hardware - TLS handshake costs are minimal, and HTTP/2 (which requires HTTPS in most browsers) often makes HTTPS sites feel faster overall.
02Is HTTPS required for SEO?
It's a minor, confirmed ranking signal from Google, but its bigger practical impact is user trust - browsers visibly warn visitors away from non-HTTPS sites.
03Do I need to pay for an SSL certificate?
No - free options like Let's Encrypt provide valid, widely-trusted certificates, and most modern hosting platforms automate the setup entirely.