What is the cost of VMC certificates and are there cheaper alternatives?

Email marketer from Mailjet Blog mentions the cost of VMC certificates and suggests focusing on optimizing email content and engagement as a potentially more cost-effective approach to improve deliverability alongside basic BIMI setup.

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum suggests contacting multiple Certificate Authorities to compare prices and potentially negotiate a better deal on VMC certificates.

Email marketer from Reddit emphasizes assessing the return on investment (ROI) of a VMC. The cost should be weighed against the potential benefits of increased brand recognition and improved email engagement.

Marketer from Email Geeks says that unless you want to build your own parser, you will need to pay a SaaS app to do it for you.

Email marketer from Quora User John S. explains that while a VMC isn't strictly required for BIMI, it is for Gmail. Other providers might accept BIMI records without a VMC, but it depends on the provider's policies.

Email marketer from EmailOnAcid Blog notes that while VMCs come with a cost, they offer a tangible benefit in terms of brand recognition and potentially improved deliverability, making them a worthwhile investment for some businesses.

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that software licensing is needed to review DMARC XML reports to make sure you’re not blocking legitimate emails when you’re in p=reject.

Email marketer from SparkPost says that VMCs enhance brand trust and visibility in the inbox. The cost is an investment in brand reputation and customer recognition.

Email marketer from Reddit user u/EmailExpert suggests that if the cost of VMC is a concern, focusing on strong sender authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and building a good sender reputation can provide a similar boost to deliverability at a lower cost.

Marketer from Email Geeks states that Entrust and Digicert are the only two Certificate Authorities authorized by Google.

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that according to a screenshot, Digicert will be charging $899 for VMC certificates.

Marketer from Email Geeks says that Entrust will be selling VMC certificates for $1k, and he is unsure about Digicert's pricing.

Expert from Word to the Wise (found in a forum discussion) responds that VMCs aren't strictly required for BIMI implementation with every mailbox provider. Therefore, alternatives involve implementing BIMI without a VMC, understanding that this approach may not work for platforms like Gmail.

Expert from Email Geeks believes VMC certificates are not going to end up any cheaper than EV certs, probably not even close.

Expert from Email Geeks explains there is a lot of work verifying a brand owns the logo/word mark so the costs will likely remain high for the time being until other cert authorities get in the game and the market price regulates.

Expert from Word to the Wise (via blog post) mentions the costs associated with trademark verification and VMCs as factors to consider when implementing BIMI, and suggests budgeting appropriately or exploring options based on your specific needs.

Documentation from Entrust highlights the features of their VMC, emphasizing brand visibility and improved email security. For pricing, they encourage contacting their sales team for custom quotes based on your specific requirements.

Documentation from Sectigo details the benefits of VMC certificates, including enhanced brand recognition and improved deliverability. Pricing information isn't explicitly mentioned, recommending a direct inquiry for accurate costs.

Documentation from BIMI Group clarifies that a VMC is required by certain mailbox providers, such as Gmail, to display the brand logo in the inbox. They also state that the cost will vary between Certificate Authorities

Documentation from GlobalSign states that you will need to reach out to the sales team to get specific pricing information, as the prices vary based on the services chosen and they don't advertise publicly.

Documentation from DigiCert explains that VMC pricing depends on the selected validity period and the number of certificates purchased. They offer various options, and it's best to contact their sales team for a personalized quote.