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Head-to-head · Security Keys

Security Key Series by Yubico vs YubiKey 5 Series

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Security Key Series by Yubico #1 in Security Keys 9.4/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Yubico
YubiKey 5 Series #2 in Security Keys 9.3/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Yubico

Security Key Series by Yubico leads on 0 checks, YubiKey 5 Series on 0, and 3 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 scoreSecurity Key Series by Yubico · 9.4/10

Security Key Series by Yubico scores higher on our rubric for security keys: 9.4 against 9.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Security Key Series by Yubico is the better fit for most buyers wanting broad, affordable coverage. YubiKey 5 Series is the better fit for users needing broad authentication features.

  • Security Key Series by Yubico fits best

    Most buyers wanting broad, affordable coverage

  • YubiKey 5 Series fits best

    Users needing broad authentication features

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Side by side

Feature Security Key Series by Yubico 9.4/10 Visit ↗ YubiKey 5 Series 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.3
Ranking #1 in Security Keys #2 in Security Keys
Best for Most buyers wanting broad, affordable coverage Users needing broad authentication features
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $29/unit one-time $58/unit one-time
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Docs Tickets, Docs
Compliance 2FA 2FA
Integrations 11 integrations 1,000+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Security Key Series by Yubico 1/2 · YubiKey 5 Series 1/2
NFC support ✓ ✓
Biometric unlock — —
Specs
Authentication standards FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO2 CTAP1, FIDO2 CTAP2, FIDO2 CTAP2.1, FIDO U2F FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP, OATH-HOTP, PIV smart card, OpenPGP
USB connector Not checked yet Usb-a
Device management Vendor app Vendor app
Operating systems Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, ChromeOS
Our review
Pros
  • FIDO2/WebAuthn and FIDO U2F authentication
  • USB-A, USB-C, and NFC support across five platforms
  • $29 one-time pricing with no battery or network connection required
  • Supports FIDO2, U2F, OTP, PIV, OpenPGP, NFC, and Lightning
  • Works across web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
  • Offers USB-A, USB-C, NFC, Lightning, Nano, and keychain formats
Cons
  • FIDO-only designs do not provide biometric unlocking
  • No free plan or subscription option
  • USB-A and USB-C require choosing the right connector variant
  • Starts at $58 with no free plan
  • Biometric unlock is not supported
  • Choosing among connector and form-factor variants takes care
Our verdict

Security Key Series by Yubico is a family of hardware security keys for passwordless, two-factor, and multi-factor authentication. It suits individuals, organizations, and enterprises that want public-key authentication through USB or NFC…

Read the review →

YubiKey 5 Series is a family of hardware security keys for passwordless login, multi-factor authentication, and cryptographic operations. It is designed for consumers, small businesses, and enterprise environments spanning cloud,…

Read the review →
  1. Security Key Series by YubicoSecurity Keys 9.4Paid
  2. YubiKey 5 SeriesSecurity Keys 9.3Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Security Key Series by Yubico — where it wins

    • FIDO2/WebAuthn and FIDO U2F authentication
    • USB-A, USB-C, and NFC support across five platforms
    • $29 one-time pricing with no battery or network connection required

    Where it doesn't

    • FIDO-only designs do not provide biometric unlocking
    • No free plan or subscription option
    • USB-A and USB-C require choosing the right connector variant

  • YubiKey 5 Series — where it wins

    • Supports FIDO2, U2F, OTP, PIV, OpenPGP, NFC, and Lightning
    • Works across web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
    • Offers USB-A, USB-C, NFC, Lightning, Nano, and keychain formats

    Where it doesn't

    • Starts at $58 with no free plan
    • Biometric unlock is not supported
    • Choosing among connector and form-factor variants takes care
  • Security Key Series by Yubico9.4/10 · Paid

    Affordable USB and NFC security keys for passwordless and multi-factor authentication.

    Visit YubicoFull verdict →
  • YubiKey 5 Series9.3/10 · Paid

    A highly configurable security key family for users who need broad authentication support.

    Visit YubicoFull verdict →

More comparisons

All security keys comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update