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Head-to-head · Authentication Software

Amazon Cognito vs Cisco Duo Passwordless

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Amazon Cognito #4 in Authentication Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Amazon Cognito
Cisco Duo Passwordless #5 in Authentication Software 8.7/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Cisco Duo

Amazon Cognito leads on 1 check, Cisco Duo Passwordless on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAmazon Cognito · 8.9/10
  • Lowest starting priceAmazon Cognito · $0.0055/user/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Cisco Duo Passwordless
  • Most featuresCisco Duo Passwordless · 1 of 2

Amazon Cognito scores higher on our rubric for authentication software: 8.9 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

Amazon Cognito is cheaper to start at $0.0055/user/mo against $3/user/mo.

Amazon Cognito is the better fit for applications built around AWS authentication. Cisco Duo Passwordless is the better fit for teams prioritizing passwordless MFA and device trust.

  • Amazon Cognito fits best

    Applications built around AWS authentication

  • Cisco Duo Passwordless fits best

    Teams prioritizing passwordless MFA and device trust

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Amazon Cognito 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Cisco Duo Passwordless 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.7
Ranking #4 in Authentication Software #5 in Authentication Software
Best for Applications built around AWS authentication Teams prioritizing passwordless MFA and device trust
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $0.0055/user/mo (best) $3/user/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Integrations 13 integrations 500+ integrations
Features Amazon Cognito 0/2 · Cisco Duo Passwordless 1/2
Passkey sign-in Not checked yet Not checked yet
Directory sync Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Monthly active users Not checked yet Not checked yet
Auth protocols Not checked yet Not checked yet
MFA methods Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports social sign-in, SAML and OIDC federation, and OAuth 2.0
  • Offers MFA and passwordless sign-in, including passkeys
  • Identity pools issue temporary credentials for AWS resource access
  • Supports passkeys, biometrics, FIDO2 keys, and Duo Push
  • Includes SAML and OIDC single sign-on and directory synchronization
  • Works across web, desktop, and mobile platforms
Cons
  • Developer-oriented service rather than a standalone workforce directory
  • Threat protection and adaptive authentication require the Plus plan
  • Usage-based monthly active user pricing can vary with adoption
  • Passwordless authentication starts with the $3 Essentials plan
  • Duo Free highlights MFA, integrations, and the authenticator app, not passwordless
  • VPN-less remote access and complete device trust require Premier
Our verdict

Amazon Cognito provides user directories, authentication, authorization, identity federation, and temporary AWS credentials for web and mobile applications. Its user pools support local accounts, hosted Managed Login pages, OAuth 2.0,…

Read the review →

Cisco Duo Passwordless provides password-free access to web applications through Duo Single Sign-On. It is aimed at businesses and enterprises seeking phishing-resistant authentication, centralized policy controls, directory…

Read the review →
  1. Amazon CognitoAuthentication Software 8.9Free plan
  2. Cisco Duo PasswordlessAuthentication Software 8.7Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Amazon Cognito — where it wins

    • Supports social sign-in, SAML and OIDC federation, and OAuth 2.0
    • Offers MFA and passwordless sign-in, including passkeys
    • Identity pools issue temporary credentials for AWS resource access

    Where it doesn't

    • Developer-oriented service rather than a standalone workforce directory
    • Threat protection and adaptive authentication require the Plus plan
    • Usage-based monthly active user pricing can vary with adoption

  • Cisco Duo Passwordless — where it wins

    • Supports passkeys, biometrics, FIDO2 keys, and Duo Push
    • Includes SAML and OIDC single sign-on and directory synchronization
    • Works across web, desktop, and mobile platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • Passwordless authentication starts with the $3 Essentials plan
    • Duo Free highlights MFA, integrations, and the authenticator app, not passwordless
    • VPN-less remote access and complete device trust require Premier
  • Amazon Cognito8.9/10 · Free plan

    A developer-focused authentication service with AWS credentials, federation, and usage-based pricing.

    Visit Amazon CognitoFull verdict →
  • Cisco Duo Passwordless8.7/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    Passwordless MFA and SSO with device verification, from $3 per user per month.

    Visit Cisco DuoFull verdict →

More comparisons

All authentication software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update