Comparing VMC Providers: DigiCert, Entrust, and GMO – Which Is Right for You?

A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is essential for displaying your brand logo in email inboxes via BIMI. The provider you choose impacts your validation experience, support, pricing, and long-term compliance with evolving standards.

• Industry Leadership: DigiCert is a leading global certificate authority trusted by major banks and enterprises.
• Validation Process: Follows strict Extended Validation (EV) standards, including trademark verification and identity checks via notarized documents or live video calls.
• BIMI & DMARC Support: Requires full DMARC compliance and a trademarked logo in SVG Tiny PS format.
• Features: Offers both Verified Mark Certificates (VMC) for registered trademarks and Common Mark Certificates (CMC) for prior-use marks or government seals.
• Support: 24x5 global support and extensive documentation.
• Pricing: Starts around $1,608/year for a VMC, with additional domains priced the same as the original domain.
• Renewal: Annual subscription with automatic renewal and proactive validation reminders.

• Automation & Hosting: Entrust offers automated certificate and logo installation, hosting, and auto-renewal for customers using their subscription model.
• Centralized Management: Manage multiple brands and certificates via the Entrust Certificate Services (ECS) platform.
• Unlimited Reissues: Free, unlimited logo replacements and certificate reissues during the certificate’s lifetime.
• BIMI & DMARC Support: Adheres to BIMI and DMARC requirements, with automated CSR generation and secure key handling.
• Support: Centralized support and management, but note that Entrust’s public roots are no longer trusted by Apple and Google for new certificates issued after late 2024, which may impact future compatibility with some email clients.
• Pricing: Pricing is not always public, but typically comparable to DigiCert; subscription models may offer cost savings for multi-year or multi-brand deployments.
• Renewal: Auto-renewal available for hosted certificates, reducing manual intervention.

• New Entrant: GMO GlobalSign launched its VMC offering in 2025, focusing on robust authentication and brand trust.
• DMARC Automation: Partners with Valimail to help customers achieve automated DMARC enforcement, streamlining BIMI readiness.
• Security & Deliverability: Emphasizes seamless authentication, improved deliverability, and enhanced trustworthiness for email communications.
• Support: Backed by GlobalSign’s global CA infrastructure and support network.
• Pricing: As a new entrant, specific pricing details are not widely published, but expect competitive rates in line with industry standards.
• Renewal: Standard certificate renewal processes apply, with support for multi-year options.

• Validation & Security: DigiCert and Entrust both use rigorous EV-style validation. GMO GlobalSign leverages automation partnerships for DMARC, which may simplify onboarding for some organizations.
• Automation & Management: Entrust stands out for automated renewals and centralized management, ideal for organizations with multiple brands or domains. DigiCert offers strong support and lifecycle management, while GMO’s partnership with Valimail may appeal to those seeking DMARC automation.
• Compatibility: DigiCert and GMO are fully trusted by all major mailbox providers. Entrust VMCs issued after late 2024 may not be recognized by Apple and Google, which could limit future inbox display for some recipients.
• Pricing: DigiCert VMCs start at $1,608/year, with similar pricing expected from Entrust and GMO. Subscription and multi-year discounts may be available.
• Support: All three offer robust support, but DigiCert’s 24x5 global team and Entrust’s centralized ECS platform are notable for enterprise needs.

• Confirm Provider Compatibility: Verify that your chosen certificate provider is compatible with your target email clients, especially Gmail, Yahoo, and Apple Mail.
• Assess Automation and Management Needs: Evaluate your requirements for automation, centralized management, and support for multiple brands or domains.
• Compare Pricing and Support: Review pricing structures, renewal options, and the responsiveness of customer support for each provider.
• Ensure BIMI and DMARC Compliance: Make sure your logo and domain fully meet all BIMI and DMARC requirements before submitting your application.

Find more answers in our VMC and BIMI FAQ section.

For maximum compatibility and future-proofing, DigiCert and GMO GlobalSign are currently the safest choices for VMCs in 2025. Entrust offers strong automation and management features, but recent trust changes by Apple and Google may impact long-term inbox display. Always verify the latest provider status before making your decision.