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Head-to-head · Passwordless Authentication Software

Secret Double Octopus vs Clerk

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Secret Double Octopus #2 in Passwordless Authentication Software 8.9/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit site
Clerk #8 in Passwordless Authentication Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Clerk

Secret Double Octopus leads on 0 checks, Clerk 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 scoreSecret Double Octopus · 8.9/10
  • Free planonly Clerk
  • Most featuresClerk · 1 of 5

Secret Double Octopus scores higher on our rubric for passwordless authentication software: 8.9 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

Secret Double Octopus is the better fit for hybrid enterprise and network passwordless access. Clerk is the better fit for product teams needing polished auth components.

  • Secret Double Octopus fits best

    Hybrid enterprise and network passwordless access

  • 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

Feature Secret Double Octopus 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Clerk 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.3
Ranking #2 in Passwordless Authentication Software #8 in Passwordless Authentication Software
Best for Hybrid enterprise and network passwordless access Product teams needing polished auth components
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Pricing on request $20/mo
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Integrations 11 integrations 12 integrations
Features Secret Double Octopus 0/5 · Clerk 1/5
Magic links Not checked yet Not checked yet
Biometric login Not checked yet Not checked yet
SAML SSO Not checked yet Not checked yet
OpenID Connect Not checked yet Not checked yet
Directory synchronization Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Passwordless methods Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers cloud, desktop, VPN, VDI, legacy and privileged access
  • Supports mobile push, biometrics, FIDO2, smartcards and OTP
  • Offers hybrid deployment with SAML, OIDC, RADIUS, LDAP and REST API
  • 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
  • Starter focuses on traditional MFA rather than full passwordless coverage
  • Desktop MFA and offline login begin with the Pro plan
  • Enterprise capabilities such as shared-account support require Enterprise
  • 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

Secret Double Octopus provides enterprise multi-factor and passwordless authentication through the Octopus Authentication Platform. It is designed for organizations that need one approach across web and cloud applications, Windows and…

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 →
  1. Secret Double OctopusPasswordless Authentication Software 8.9Pricing on request
  2. ClerkPasswordless Authentication Software 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Secret Double Octopus — where it wins

    • Covers cloud, desktop, VPN, VDI, legacy and privileged access
    • Supports mobile push, biometrics, FIDO2, smartcards and OTP
    • Offers hybrid deployment with SAML, OIDC, RADIUS, LDAP and REST API

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter focuses on traditional MFA rather than full passwordless coverage
    • Desktop MFA and offline login begin with the Pro plan
    • Enterprise capabilities such as shared-account support require Enterprise

  • 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
  • Secret Double Octopus8.9/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad hybrid authentication platform for organizations securing users, devices and legacy access.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Clerk8.3/10 · Free plan

    A broad authentication toolkit with polished components, passkeys, MFA, and organization support.

    Visit ClerkFull verdict →

More comparisons

All passwordless authentication software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update