All software publishers are concerned about the security and integrity of their code for their developed software and applications. Thus, code signing certificates have become a crucial security component of any developer toolkit. Code signing certificates are known to provide code security for software, apps, EXEs, and scripts from any unauthorized alteration or tampering by cybercriminals and also validate the identity of the developer or publisher as a legitimate source to build user trust by removing the "unknown publisher" and other warnings on their system, enabling them to download the signed software securely and safely on their system.

Moreover, code signing certificates work like SSL/TLS certificates to provide security to the software, EXEs, scripts, and applications when they are digitally signed by the publisher, plus validate the source of signed software to be legit for user trust, enabling fast and smooth downloads.

Why don’t Certificate Authorities (CAs) offer Free Code Signing Certificates?

1. Unlike DV SSL certificates, which are available in a free version, code signing certificates don’t have a Domain Validation (DV) level, which doesn’t require business verification from certificate authorities.

2. Code Signing Certificates verify the legitimacy of the developer or publishing entity; hence, they require a CA-based validation by processing the publisher’s documents and guarantee legitimacy by embedding their root certificate.

3. Certificate Authorities need to invest from their side in configuring and maintaining assets to process the data required for the issuance process.

4. Recruitment and training of human resources for performing a smooth validation process require financial support from the authorities.

5. Monitoring and updating systems, software, and data centres is also a financial and costly factor for the authorities.

Hence, these points are enough to prove that there are financial costs involved in providing code signing solutions by the certificate authorities (CAs), for which users are required to pay to get or acquire code signing certificates issued by the CAs.

Let's take a closer look to discover more about how to get Free code signing certificates or if there are any alternatives for an affordable code signing solution.