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Head-to-head · Passwordless Authentication Software

Cisco Duo Passwordless vs Clerk

Updated Oct 2026
Both researched from official sources
6 checks side by side

Higher score Cisco Duo Passwordless #1 in Passwordless Authentication Software 9.3/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Cisco Duo

Clerk #8 in Passwordless Authentication Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Clerk

Cisco Duo Passwordless leads on 1 check, Clerk on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 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 · 9.3/10
Lowest starting priceCisco Duo Passwordless · $3/user/mo
Free planboth
Free trialonly Cisco Duo Passwordless
Most featuresCisco Duo Passwordless · 4 of 5

Cisco Duo Passwordless scores higher on our rubric for passwordless authentication software: 9.3 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Cisco Duo Passwordless is cheaper to start at $3/user/mo against $20/user/mo.

Cisco Duo Passwordless is the better fit for broad passwordless deployments on a budget. Clerk is the better fit for product teams needing polished auth components.

Cisco Duo Passwordless fits best
Broad passwordless deployments on a budget
Clerk fits best
Product teams needing polished auth components

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

Show only differences

Feature	Cisco Duo Passwordless 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Clerk 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.3
Ranking	#1 in Passwordless Authentication Software	#8 in Passwordless Authentication Software
Best for	Broad passwordless deployments on a budget	Product teams needing polished auth components
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$3/user/mo (best)	$20/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Integrations	500+ integrations	12 integrations
Features Cisco Duo Passwordless 4/5 · Clerk 1/5
Magic links	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Biometric login	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
SAML SSO	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
OpenID Connect	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Directory synchronization	✓	✓
Specs
Passwordless methods	Platform authenticators, passkeys, FIDO2 security keys, Duo Push	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Supports passkeys, biometrics, FIDO2 keys, and Duo Push Includes SSO, directory synchronization, and device verification policies Offers a free plan and paid access from $3 per user per month	Prebuilt sign-up, sign-in, profile, and account-management components Passkeys, MFA, SSO, directory sync, and lifecycle provisioning Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, API, and broad integrations
Cons	Passwordless authentication starts with Duo Essentials, not Duo Free Advanced identity and remote-access controls require higher tiers Password fallback removal may require broader deployment planning	Usage is metered by monthly retained users per application Hobby fixes session lifetime at seven days Business starts at $250 per month, billed annually
Our verdict	Cisco Duo Passwordless provides password-free access to web applications through Duo Single Sign-On. It is designed for businesses and enterprises that need phishing-resistant authentication, centralized policy controls, directory… Read the review →	Clerk provides authentication and user management for teams building consumer, B2B, and multi-tenant applications. Its prebuilt sign-up, sign-in, profile, and account-management components are aimed at product teams that want polished auth… Read the review →

Cisco Duo PasswordlessPasswordless Authentication Software 9.3Free plan · 30-day trial
ClerkPasswordless Authentication Software 8.3Free plan

Compare the top tools in

Strengths and trade-offs

Cisco Duo Passwordless — where it wins
- Supports passkeys, biometrics, FIDO2 keys, and Duo Push
- Includes SSO, directory synchronization, and device verification policies
- Offers a free plan and paid access from $3 per user per month
Where it doesn't
- Passwordless authentication starts with Duo Essentials, not Duo Free
- Advanced identity and remote-access controls require higher tiers
- Password fallback removal may require broader deployment planning
Clerk — where it wins
- Prebuilt sign-up, sign-in, profile, and account-management components
- Passkeys, MFA, SSO, directory sync, and lifecycle provisioning
- Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, API, and broad integrations
Where it doesn't
- Usage is metered by monthly retained users per application
- Hobby fixes session lifetime at seven days
- Business starts at $250 per month, billed annually

Cisco Duo Passwordless9.3/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial
A broad passwordless suite with strong authentication coverage and a low-cost entry tier.
Visit Cisco Duo Full verdict →
Clerk8.3/10 · Free plan
A broad authentication toolkit with polished components, passkeys, MFA, and organization support.
Visit Clerk Full verdict →

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All passwordless authentication software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update