When you set up an SSL certificate in your IONOS account for use with a root server or other relevant package, you are also responsible for installing and periodically renewing the certificate. Because of this, these types of certificates are also called user-managed SSL certificates.

If, on the other hand, you set up an SSL certificate for a web hosting package or other website solution from IONOS, the installation and maintenance of the certificate is done for you fully automatically. Accordingly, such a certificate is called an IONOS-managed SSL certificate.

You can also recognize user-managed SSL certificates by the small gear icon beside their name in the Certificate Type column as shown in the image below.

This is not to be confused with the larger gear icon shown for all SSL certificates in the Actions column.