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Head-to-head · Passkey Authentication Software

Descope vs Locke Gateway

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Descope #4 in Passkey Authentication Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Descope
Locke Gateway #35 in Passkey Authentication Software 5.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Locke Gateway

Descope leads on 0 checks, Locke Gateway on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDescope · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresDescope · 1 of 4

Descope scores higher on our rubric for passkey authentication software: 8.8 against 5.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #35.

Descope is the better fit for large teams needing complete identity orchestration. Locke Gateway is the better fit for teams wanting a free focused passkey gateway.

  • Descope fits best

    Large teams needing complete identity orchestration

  • Locke Gateway fits best

    Teams wanting a free focused passkey gateway

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 Descope 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Locke Gateway 5.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 5.6
Ranking #4 in Passkey Authentication Software #35 in Passkey Authentication Software
Best for Large teams needing complete identity orchestration Teams wanting a free focused passkey gateway
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $249/mo Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Features Descope 1/4 · Locke Gateway 0/4
Mobile SDKs Not checked yet Not checked yet
Workforce authentication Not checked yet Not checked yet
Directory sync ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Authentication policies Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model Not checked yet Both
Passkey types Not checked yet Device_bound
Included monthly users Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Passkeys, MFA, SSO, SCIM, and adaptive authentication in one platform
  • Visual flow builder plus user, tenant, role, and permission management
  • Web, iOS, Android, API access with major identity and business connectors
  • Free hosted multi-tenant server with no paid tier
  • Session controls, rate limiting, and domain credential scoping
  • Open source with self-hosting through the same client interface
Cons
  • Pro and Growth pricing is billed annually
  • Free Forever is limited to 7,500 monthly active users and 10 tenants
  • Advanced enterprise capabilities require custom pricing
  • Narrower coverage for teams needing broader application support
  • Supports device-bound passkeys
  • No AI features are included
Our verdict

Descope is a customer identity and access management platform for developers building B2C and B2B applications. It brings together passwordless authentication with passkeys, magic links, and OTP; MFA and step-up authentication; SSO; tenant…

Read the review →

Locke Gateway is a free, hosted, multi-tenant passkey server for developers adding WebAuthn authentication to applications. It covers passkey registration and authentication, session management, credential storage, domain scoping, rate…

Read the review →
  1. DescopePasskey Authentication Software 8.8Free plan
  2. Locke GatewayPasskey Authentication Software 5.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Descope — where it wins

    • Passkeys, MFA, SSO, SCIM, and adaptive authentication in one platform
    • Visual flow builder plus user, tenant, role, and permission management
    • Web, iOS, Android, API access with major identity and business connectors

    Where it doesn't

    • Pro and Growth pricing is billed annually
    • Free Forever is limited to 7,500 monthly active users and 10 tenants
    • Advanced enterprise capabilities require custom pricing

  • Locke Gateway — where it wins

    • Free hosted multi-tenant server with no paid tier
    • Session controls, rate limiting, and domain credential scoping
    • Open source with self-hosting through the same client interface

    Where it doesn't

    • Narrower coverage for teams needing broader application support
    • Supports device-bound passkeys
    • No AI features are included

More comparisons

All passkey authentication software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update