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Head-to-head · Authentication Software

Cisco Duo Passwordless vs authentik

  • 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
authentik #7 in Authentication Software 6.7/10 Free plan · paid from $5/user/mo (annual) Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit authentik

Cisco Duo Passwordless leads on 1 check, authentik 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 scoreCisco Duo Passwordless · 7.7/10
  • Lowest starting priceCisco Duo Passwordless · $3/user/mo
  • Free planboth

Cisco Duo Passwordless scores higher on our rubric for authentication software: 7.7 against 6.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

Cisco Duo Passwordless is cheaper to start at $3/user/mo against $5/user/mo.

Cisco Duo Passwordless is the better fit for teams prioritizing passwordless MFA and device trust. authentik is the better fit for self-hosters needing flexible access policies.

  • Cisco Duo Passwordless fits best

    Teams prioritizing passwordless MFA and device trust

  • authentik fits best

    Self-hosters needing flexible access policies

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 ↗ authentik 6.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.7 6.7
Ranking #4 in Authentication Software #7 in Authentication Software
Best for Teams prioritizing passwordless MFA and device trust Self-hosters needing flexible access policies
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $3/user/mo (best) $5/user/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web
Integrations 500+ integrations 11 integrations
Features Cisco Duo Passwordless 1/2 · authentik 1/2
Passkey sign-in Not published Not published
Directory sync ✓ ✓
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
  • Open-source edition supports a broad range of identity protocols
  • MFA options include passkeys, TOTP, email, SMS, and Duo
  • Policy-based access can use user attributes, time, and location
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
  • Deployment is self-hosted; there is no hosted version
  • Privileged access management is an Enterprise feature
  • Enterprise pricing is billed annually
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 →

authentik is a self-hosted identity provider and single sign-on platform for site administrators, application developers, and security engineers. It combines authentication flows, user and group management, MFA, access policies, directory…

Read the review →
  1. Cisco Duo PasswordlessAuthentication Software 7.7Free plan · paid from $3/user/mo · 30-day trial
  2. authentikAuthentication Software 6.7Free plan · paid from $5/user/mo (annual)

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

  • authentik — where it wins

    • Open-source edition supports a broad range of identity protocols
    • MFA options include passkeys, TOTP, email, SMS, and Duo
    • Policy-based access can use user attributes, time, and location

    Where it doesn't

    • Deployment is self-hosted; there is no hosted version
    • Privileged access management is an Enterprise feature
    • Enterprise pricing is billed annually
  • 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 →
  • authentik6.7/10 · Free plan · paid from $5/user/mo (annual)

    Flexible self-hosted identity and access control, with Enterprise features from $5 per user monthly.

    Visit authentikFull 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