GlobalSign Code Signing Certificates: OV and EV Compared
Compare GlobalSign OV and EV Code Signing Certificates by current price, validation, hardware protection, HSM options, supported platforms and certificate term.
GlobalSign OV and EV Code Signing Options
GlobalSign currently offers two Code Signing Certificate options. Choose OV for organization validation or EV when your workflow requires the additional EV validation and applicable Windows driver signing requirements.
GlobalSign OV Code Signing Certificate
Verifies the organization publishing the software and supports publisher identity, timestamping and hardware based key protection.
- Organization identity validation
- Publisher identity displayed in supported environments
- Timestamping support
- Cryptographic token and HSM options
- 1 year / 366 day certificate issuance
GlobalSign EV Code Signing Certificate
Provides more rigorous organization validation with hardware protected key storage and support for applicable Windows Hardware Development Center workflows.
- Extended Validation and rigorous vetting
- Hardware protected private key
- Timestamping and token implementation
- HSM implementation option
- Applicable Windows Hardware Development Center requirements
GlobalSign Code Signing Certificate Price Comparison
GlobalSign currently lists one year / 366 day certificates for new Code Signing orders, so GlobalSign does not currently publish multi-year purchase pricing for new Code Signing orders.
| Product | Validation | Current official price | Certificate validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| GlobalSign OV Code Signing Certificate | Organization Validation | From $529/year | 1 year / 366 days |
| GlobalSign EV Code Signing Certificate | Extended Validation | From $669/year | 1 year / 366 days |
Important validity distinction: GlobalSign's shop states that only 1 year / 366 day certificates are now available. The regulatory maximum validity is a separate concept from the standard certificate term GlobalSign currently sells.
GlobalSign OV vs EV Code Signing
The right certificate depends on your validation requirement and signing workflow, not simply on whether EV is a higher validation level.
| Feature | GlobalSign OV | GlobalSign EV |
|---|---|---|
| Organization validation | Yes | Yes |
| Extended Validation | No | Yes |
| Rigorous EV vetting | No | Yes |
| Publisher identity | Yes | Yes |
| Timestamping | Yes | Yes |
| Hardware token | Yes | Yes |
| HSM option | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Hardware Development Center | Not the EV requirement | Required for applicable kernel mode driver workflow |
| Current listed price | From $529/year | From $669/year |
| Current certificate term | 1 year / 366 days | 1 year / 366 days |
Compare Code Signing Certificate Providers
If you are evaluating GlobalSign alongside other certificate authorities, compare official product terms, hardware options and published pricing before choosing a certificate.
Compare Certificate ProvidersGlobalSign Code Signing Supported Platforms
GlobalSign states that its Code Signing Certificates support multiple platforms using the same certificate.
GlobalSign also lists Adobe AIR and Mozilla/Netscape Objects among supported Code Signing platforms. Platform specific requirements should be checked before implementation.
GlobalSign Token and HSM Options
GlobalSign provides hardware based key protection and an HSM implementation option for organizations with different signing infrastructure requirements.
Cryptographic Token
The token option provides hardware based protection for the private key. GlobalSign's current shop notes that token orders are subject to regional shipping restrictions and the token is shipped only within the region selected during ordering.
HSM Implementation
Organizations with centralized signing infrastructure can use an HSM implementation where supported. GlobalSign specifically lists Azure Key Vault HSM compatibility.
Enterprise Signing
HSM based deployment is particularly relevant for enterprise software teams, CI/CD environments, centralized signing infrastructure and high volume release workflows.
Key Management
Choose the implementation that fits your internal key management, access control and release process while confirming current provider and platform requirements.
GlobalSign Code Signing Certificate Validity
GlobalSign's current product availability makes the distinction between regulatory maximum validity and the certificate term actually sold especially important.
Current standard term
1 year / 366 days is the current certificate term GlobalSign sells for new Code Signing orders.
Older multi year terms
GlobalSign states that 2 year and 3 year Code Signing Certificates stopped being issued on December 26, 2025. New orders use the current one year / 366 day format.
GlobalSign's current support information also states a maximum permitted validity of 460 days for Code Signing and EV Code Signing. That regulatory maximum should not be confused with the 366 day standard term currently sold.
GlobalSign EV Code Signing and Windows Drivers
EV has a specific practical use case that can make it necessary for certain Windows development workflows.
Windows Hardware Development Center: GlobalSign states that EV Code Signing is required to access the Windows Hardware Development Center Dashboard Portal for applicable kernel mode driver signing workflows.
This makes EV particularly relevant for organizations developing Windows kernel mode drivers, hardware related software and system level Windows components that use the applicable workflow.
EV should not be positioned as a guaranteed SmartScreen reputation improvement. The stronger reason to choose EV is the applicable validation or platform requirement.
Which GlobalSign Certificate Should You Choose?
Match the certificate to your identity validation requirement and signing infrastructure.
| Your situation | Recommended option |
|---|---|
| Software company publishing applications | GlobalSign OV |
| ISV distributing Windows software | GlobalSign OV |
| Organization needing verified publisher identity | GlobalSign OV |
| Organization requiring EV validation | GlobalSign EV |
| Windows kernel mode driver workflow requiring EV | GlobalSign EV |
| Enterprise signing infrastructure | OV or EV + HSM |
| Centralized signing environment | OV or EV + HSM |
The key distinction is validation requirement and workflow compatibility, not simply that EV is a higher validation level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a GlobalSign Code Signing Certificate cost?
GlobalSign currently lists OV Code Signing from $529 USD per year and EV Code Signing from $669 USD per year. These are official starting prices; confirm the correct region, currency and final configuration in GlobalSign’s shop before ordering.
How much is GlobalSign OV Code Signing?
GlobalSign OV Code Signing currently starts at $529 USD/year.
How much is GlobalSign EV Code Signing?
GlobalSign EV Code Signing currently starts at $669 USD/year.
Does GlobalSign still sell 2 year or 3 year Code Signing Certificates?
No. GlobalSign's current official shop states that it stopped issuing 2 year and 3 year Code Signing Certificates after December 26, 2025. New certificates are issued for 1 year / 366 days.
Does GlobalSign Code Signing require a hardware token?
GlobalSign states that its Code Signing Certificates are stored on cryptographic tokens, with an HSM implementation option available.
Does GlobalSign support HSM based code signing?
Yes. GlobalSign lists HSM implementation options and specifically mentions Azure Key Vault HSM compatibility.
Which GlobalSign Code Signing Certificate is required for Windows kernel mode drivers?
GlobalSign states that EV Code Signing is required to access the Windows Hardware Development Center Dashboard Portal for applicable kernel mode driver signing workflows.
Does GlobalSign Code Signing support Java?
Yes. GlobalSign lists Java among its supported Code Signing platforms.
Related Code Signing Resources
Explore related resources for implementation, platform specific signing and certificate selection.
Choose the Right GlobalSign Code Signing Certificate
Compare validation, current pricing, key protection and platform requirements before selecting GlobalSign OV or EV Code Signing.
Compare Code Signing Certificates