Nitrokey 3 vs Nitrokey Passkey

Nitrokey 38.9Visit Nitrokey Passkey8.6Visit

Higher score Nitrokey 3 #5 in Security Keys 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Nitrokey

vs

Nitrokey Passkey #8 in Security Keys 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Nitrokey

• Nitrokey 3 fits best

  Open-source users needing broad cryptographic support

• Nitrokey Passkey fits best

  Open-source passkey users

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Side by side

Feature	Nitrokey 3 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Nitrokey Passkey 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.6
Ranking	#5 in Security Keys	#8 in Security Keys
Best for	Open-source users needing broad cryptographic support	Open-source passkey users
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	€48 one-time	€32 one-time
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Phone, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Nitrokey 3 1/2 · Nitrokey Passkey 0/2
NFC support	✓ (best)	—
Biometric unlock	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Authentication standards	WebAuthn, CTAP2/FIDO2, CTAP1/FIDO U2F 1.2, HOTP RFC 4226, TOTP RFC 6238, HOTP verification	WebAuthn, CTAP2.1/FIDO2, CTAP1/FIDO U2F 1.2
USB connector	Not checked yet	Usb-a
Device management	Vendor app	None
Operating systems	Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Android, iOS
Our review
Pros	Supports FIDO2, U2F, OpenPGP, S/MIME, X.509, PIV, and OTP Works with Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Android, and iOS Offers USB-A, USB-C, Mini, and NFC variants	Supports passkeys, WebAuthn, FIDO2 and FIDO U2F Open-source hardware and firmware with signed updates Works across Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Android and iOS
Cons	No free plan; models start at €48 one-time NFC is available only on selected variants Connector and feature combinations vary by model	USB-A connector limits compatibility with some devices No NFC support for tap-based authentication No built-in device management
Our verdict	Nitrokey 3 is a family of open-source hardware security keys for two-factor and passwordless authentication, cryptographic key storage, email encryption, password management, and smart-card use. It is aimed at open-source users and… Read the review →	Nitrokey Passkey is a USB-A hardware security key for passwordless login and two-factor authentication. It stores cryptographic keys on the device and supports WebAuthn, CTAP2/FIDO2 and CTAP1/FIDO U2F. The product is aimed at private… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Nitrokey 3 — where it wins

  • Supports FIDO2, U2F, OpenPGP, S/MIME, X.509, PIV, and OTP
  • Works with Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Android, and iOS
  • Offers USB-A, USB-C, Mini, and NFC variants

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; models start at €48 one-time
  • NFC is available only on selected variants
  • Connector and feature combinations vary by model

• Nitrokey Passkey — where it wins

  • Supports passkeys, WebAuthn, FIDO2 and FIDO U2F
  • Open-source hardware and firmware with signed updates
  • Works across Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Android and iOS

  Where it doesn't

  • USB-A connector limits compatibility with some devices
  • No NFC support for tap-based authentication
  • No built-in device management

• Nitrokey 38.9/10 · Paid

  A versatile open-source key family with broad standards support and a €48 starting price.

  Visit NitrokeyFull verdict →
• Nitrokey Passkey8.6/10 · Paid

  A transparent, standards-based security key for passkey users who prefer open-source hardware.

  Visit NitrokeyFull verdict →