What is the typical cost of a VMC certificate and are there ways to reduce it?

Email marketer from Reddit shares that VMC certificates typically cost between $1000-$1500 per year, mentioning that buying multi-year certificates can sometimes offer a slight discount.

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that it is possible to add a logo to a Gmail profile.

Email marketer from IndieEmail suggests that startups should focus on deliverability and building a strong sender reputation first, as these are more impactful than BIMI and VMC in the early stages.

Email marketer from EmailGeek Forum mentions that there is currently no open-source or completely free alternative to VMCs for achieving logo display in Gmail and Apple Mail; the CA validation requires payment.

Email marketer from MailAuth Guru mentions that some larger organizations or ESPs might offer 'shared' VMC options, allowing smaller brands to use their VMC at a reduced cost, but this is rare.

Email marketer from Marketing Forum suggests that while a VMC is ideal for Gmail, exploring alternative branding methods like consistent sender information and engaging content may help improve brand recognition without the VMC expense.

Email marketer from BrandSecure Blog suggests that while the upfront cost of a VMC may seem high, the increased brand visibility and trust can lead to a higher ROI compared to other marketing investments.

Email marketer from Quora highlights the importance of A/B testing BIMI implementation (with and without a VMC) to see if the logo display actually leads to improved open rates or conversions before committing to the annual VMC cost.

Email marketer from Email Marketing Pro Community advises users to negotiate with VMC providers (DigiCert, Entrust) and to get quotes from both to get the best deal possible.

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that Entrust and Digicert are two VMC providers, with Entrust appearing to be slightly more affordable.

Email marketer from TechTarget mentions that while a VMC ensures logo display on major platforms like Gmail, BIMI implementation itself (without VMC) helps improve overall email authentication and sender reputation, which can indirectly boost deliverability.

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms that the cost of a VMC certificate is typical, with no known methods to reduce the fee besides upfront multi-year payments. Without a VMC, logos will not display in Gmail or Apple Mail, but Yahoo and Fastmail do not require it.

Marketer from Email Geeks shares the starting prices for VMC certificates from Entrust ($1299/yr) and DigiCert ($1499/yr).

Expert from Spam Resource explains that VMC certificates cost approximately $1,500 USD per year and are issued by only two certificate authorities, Entrust and DigiCert. There are no methods available to reduce the price.

Expert from Word to the Wise suggests exploring BIMI implementation without a VMC by ensuring strict authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. This approach might not guarantee logo display in all inboxes but contributes significantly to deliverability and sender reputation, potentially yielding similar benefits without the direct VMC cost.

Expert from Email Geeks states VMC certificates are a duopoly and expensive, suggesting BIMI isn't critical for true startups, and the cost is reasonable for more established companies.

Documentation from BIMI Group highlights that a VMC is required for Gmail and Apple Mail to display the BIMI logo, noting that this validates the brand's ownership of the logo and increases trust.

Documentation from DigiCert details that VMC prices vary based on the validation level and term length. Contacting sales is recommended for customized pricing.

Documentation from GlobalSign explains that the VMC validation process includes verifying the trademark status of the logo, the applicant's right to use the logo, and organizational details. This validation adds to the cost.

Documentation from Sectigo explains that while VMC's come with a price tag, they offer significant benefits such as increased brand visibility, improved email engagement, and enhanced trust with recipients, which can justify the cost for many organizations.

Documentation from Entrust states that VMC certificates are available on a subscription basis, typically involving an annual fee. Pricing depends on specific business needs. They suggest contacting their sales team for accurate prices.