Generally, yes. Passkeys are designed to resist phishing and avoid the reusable password that attackers can trick you into entering or steal from a password database. They are not a guarantee against account takeover: device security, the account that syncs your passkeys, the service’s implementation, and account recovery still matter.
How passkeys differ from passwords
A passkey is a cryptographic credential, not a more complicated password to memorize. Its private part is held or accessed by an authenticator on your device or through a credential manager. When you sign in, the service verifies the authentication using public-key cryptography; it does not receive your private key as it would receive a password. Websites commonly use WebAuthn, while apps use platform FIDO APIs. FIDO Alliance: Passkeys
This changes what an attacker can steal and reuse. A password can be copied and entered again, including on another site if it was reused. A passkey is associated with the service it was created for, so it is designed not to authenticate you at an impostor site. FIDO describes passkeys as phishing-resistant, and NIST explains that they are not easily stolen through phishing. NIST: How do I create a good password?
Passkeys vs. passwords: the security trade-offs
| Concern | Passkeys | Traditional passwords |
|---|---|---|
| Phishing | Designed to bind authentication to the legitimate service, making it resistant to credential entry at lookalike sites. | A user can be tricked into typing a password into a fake login page. |
| Service-side exposure | The service verifies public-key authentication rather than storing the user’s passkey private key as a password. | Password databases can be targeted; exposed passwords may be replayed, especially if reused. |
| Sign-in effort | Usually unlock the credential locally with a device PIN or biometric; no password to memorize or type. | Requires a password, ideally unique and stored in a password manager. |
| Use on other devices | Synced passkeys can be available on a provider’s other devices; device-bound passkeys need a backup or recovery plan. | A password manager can sync stored passwords, but its account and recovery process matter. |
| Remaining risks | Compromised devices, credential-manager accounts, weak recovery, and phishing for other purposes remain concerns. | A password manager and MFA reduce risk, but a password can still be phished or reused if poorly managed. |
Synced and device-bound passkeys have different recovery needs
Synced passkeys
A synced passkey can be available across devices through the provider that manages synchronization. This makes changing or adding devices more convenient, but it means the provider account and its recovery process are part of your security plan. FIDO Alliance describes passkeys as usable across a provider’s devices. FIDO Alliance: Passkeys
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#1 Best Overall
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Device-bound passkeys
A device-bound passkey stays with a particular authenticator, such as a hardware security key. This can suit environments that require credentials to remain tied to a specific authenticator, but losing that authenticator may leave you dependent on a separately enrolled backup or the service’s recovery process. A FIDO2 security key can be useful as a primary or backup authenticator when the service supports it; check the service’s enrollment and recovery options first. FIDO Alliance discusses these assurance trade-offs and the use of device-bound credentials. NIST: Giving NIST Digital Identity Guidelines a boost FIDO Alliance: FIDO Authentication for Moderate Assurance Use Cases
What passkeys do not protect against
Phishing resistance is not protection from every form of phishing or account compromise. An attacker may still try to install malware, steal personal information for another purpose, compromise a device or credential-manager account, or exploit a weak account-recovery route. NIST cautions that phishing-resistant authentication does not prevent phishing aimed at malware installation or personal information theft. NIST: Phishing resistance—protecting the keys to your kingdom
Rank #2
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Passkeys also depend on the service implementing authentication correctly and providing a recovery process that does not undermine sign-in security. In enterprise or regulated settings, do not assume every passkey meets a particular assurance requirement; verify the current requirements that apply to your organization. NIST’s discussion of syncable authenticators describes a 2024 supplement and its context, so it should not substitute for checking current applicable guidance. NIST: Giving NIST Digital Identity Guidelines a boost
How to adopt passkeys without losing account access
- Enable a passkey for important accounts when the service offers one and your devices support its sign-in flow.
- Choose the credential type deliberately. Prefer synced availability if convenient access across a provider’s devices matters; consider a device-bound credential when keeping it with one authenticator is more important.
- Set up recovery before you need it. For a device-bound credential, enroll a spare hardware security key or confirm the service’s recovery process before the first key is lost. For a synced passkey, know which provider account controls synchronization and how that account is recovered. FIDO Alliance discusses recovery considerations for passkey adoption. FIDO Alliance: Replacing Password-Only Authentication with Passkeys in the Enterprise
- Keep strong protection on the device and provider account. A passkey is only as safe as the device or credential manager that can use it and the recovery route that restores access.
- For services that still require passwords, use a unique password stored in a password manager and enable MFA when available. NIST: How do I create a good password?
What the available figures do—and do not—show
FIDO Alliance’s Passkeys page reports that 36% of people had at least one account compromised due to passwords, attributing the figure to its World Passkey Day 2025 Consumer Password & Passkey Trends. The page does not provide the underlying survey details, so this should not be read as an independently verified population-wide compromise rate. FIDO Alliance: Passkeys
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
NIST reported a FIDO Alliance estimate that more than 8 billion user accounts had the option to use passkeys. That figure, reported in 2024, describes availability—not how many people adopted passkeys or whether those accounts had better security outcomes. NIST: Giving NIST Digital Identity Guidelines a boost
Quick Recap
Best Value
- FIDO2 & Passkey Ready: Business-ready and FIDO2 L1 certified. This key is supported by major management suites and is ideal for both individual and enterprise deployment. Works seamlessly with Gmail, Facebook, GitHub, Dropbox, Coinbase, and more.
- Universal Connectivity (USB-A ): Features a built-in USB-A connector—simply unfold the key and plug it into your compatible PC or laptop for seamless authentication on the go.
- Dedicated Manager App: Use the Thetis Manager App for the initial hardware PIN setup. Setting the PIN on the device first ensures a smooth registration process. Once the PIN is configured, you can begin registering the key across your favorite FIDO2-compatible online services.
- Ultra-Durable & Portable: Featuring a rotating metal cover, this key is water, crush, and tamper-resistant. It fits easily on a keychain and requires no batteries or network connectivity.
- Check FIDO2 compatibility before purchase - Known limitations: ID Austria is not supported (requires FIDO2 Level 2). Windows Hello login only works with Windows Enterprise editions that support Entra ID, and NFC is NOT supported.
Rank #4
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
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