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Head-to-head · Authentication Software

Cisco Duo Passwordless vs Amazon Cognito

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Cisco Duo Passwordless #4 in Authentication Software 7.7/10 Free plan · paid from $3/user/mo · 30-day trial Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Cisco Duo
Amazon Cognito #5 in Authentication Software 7.3/10 Free plan · paid from $0.01/user/mo Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Amazon Cognito

Cisco Duo Passwordless leads on 1 check, Amazon Cognito on 1, and 1 is 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 scoreCisco Duo Passwordless · 7.7/10
  • Lowest starting priceAmazon Cognito · $0.01/user/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresCisco Duo Passwordless · 1 of 2

Cisco Duo Passwordless scores higher on our rubric for authentication software: 7.7 against 7.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

Amazon Cognito is cheaper to start at $0.01/user/mo against $3/user/mo. Cisco Duo Passwordless offers directory sync; Amazon Cognito doesn't publish it.

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

  • Cisco Duo Passwordless fits best

    Teams prioritizing passwordless MFA and device trust

  • Amazon Cognito fits best

    Applications built around AWS authentication

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Cisco Duo Passwordless 7.7/10 Visit ↗ Amazon Cognito 7.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.7 7.3
Ranking #4 in Authentication Software #5 in Authentication Software
Best for Teams prioritizing passwordless MFA and device trust Applications built around AWS authentication
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $3/user/mo $0.01/user/mo (best)
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 500+ integrations 13 integrations
Features Cisco Duo Passwordless 1/2 · Amazon Cognito 0/2
Passkey sign-in Not published Not published
Directory sync ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Monthly active users Not published Not published
Auth protocols Not published Not published
MFA methods Not published Not published
Deployment Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • 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
Cons
  • 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
  • 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
Our verdict

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 →

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 →
  1. Cisco Duo PasswordlessAuthentication Software 7.7Free plan · paid from $3/user/mo · 30-day trial
  2. Amazon CognitoAuthentication Software 7.3Free plan · paid from $0.01/user/mo

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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 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 Passwordless7.7/10 · Free plan · paid from $3/user/mo · 30-day trial

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

    Visit Cisco DuoFull verdict →
  • Amazon Cognito7.3/10 · Free plan · paid from $0.01/user/mo

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

    Visit Amazon CognitoFull verdict →

More comparisons

All authentication software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on authentication software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update