Nitrokey 3
Nitrokey 3: A versatile open-source key family with broad standards support and a €48 starting price. Ranked #5 of 23 in Security Keys by our editors (8.9/10); pricing: Paid; best for open-source users needing broad cryptographic support.
At a glance
- Editor score8.9 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forOpen-source users needing broad cryptographic support
- Free planNo
- Paid from€48 one-time
- Authentication standardsWebAuthn, CTAP2/FIDO2, CTAP1/FIDO U2F 1.2, HOTP RFC 4226, TOTP RFC 6238, HOTP verification
- Founded2015 · Teltow, near Berlin, Germany
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Nitrokey 3
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 security-conscious individuals or teams that need more than basic website authentication. Support includes FIDO2 passwordless authentication, FIDO U2F two-factor authentication, OpenPGP smart cards, S/MIME, X.509, PIV, Password Safe, one-time passwords, and secure cryptographic storage. Touch-button activation and PIN protection add device-level controls, while Nitrokey App 2 and nitropy handle firmware updates and PIN management.
The product family offers five listed configurations. Nitrokey 3A (No NFC) costs €48 one-time and includes USB-A, FIDO2, one-time passwords, OpenPGP smart-card support, and Password Safe. Nitrokey 3C (No NFC) costs €52 with USB-C, while the Nitrokey 3A Mini costs €54 with USB-A Mini. NFC models cost €60 for Nitrokey 3A NFC and €65 for Nitrokey 3C NFC. The differences make connector choice and NFC availability important purchasing considerations. There is no free plan, and the entry price is higher than a basic no-cost software authenticator.
Its main strength is breadth: one device family spans authentication standards, smart-card functions, password and OTP storage, and multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Android, and iOS. The open-source design also fits users who prioritize inspectable software and hardware. Choose Nitrokey 3 when broad cryptographic support, platform coverage, and connector choice matter. Consider another security key if the priority is the lowest purchase price, or if a single model must provide NFC without comparing variants.
Your product? Our editors can test Nitrokey 3 in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Nitrokey 3 pricing
All 5 Nitrokey 3 plans and prices →
Nitrokey 3 fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | €48 one-time |
| Authentication standards | WebAuthn, CTAP2/FIDO2, CTAP1/FIDO U2F 1.2, HOTP RFC 4226, TOTP RFC 6238, HOTP verification |
| NFC support | Yes |
| Biometric unlock | Not verified |
| USB connector | Not verified |
| Device management | Vendor app |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Android, iOS |
| Deployment | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | nitrokey.com |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Nitrokey 3
- Security Key Series by YubicoAffordable USB and NFC security keys for passwordless and multi-factor authentication.9.4
- YubiKey 5 SeriesA highly configurable security key family for users who need broad authentication support.9.3
- Token2 T2F2-NFC-SlimA feature-rich security key for users who want authentication beyond passkeys.9.1
See all Nitrokey 3 alternatives →
Nitrokey 3 vs the competition
- Nitrokey 3 vs Security Key Series by Yubico
- Nitrokey 3 vs YubiKey 5 Series
- Nitrokey 3 vs Token2 T2F2-NFC-Slim
- Nitrokey 3 vs Token2 PIN+ Release3.3
- Nitrokey 3 vs Token2 PIN+ Dual Release3.3
- Nitrokey 3 vs Token2 Pico FIDO2 Security Key
Compare Nitrokey 3 with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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