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Passwords are not gone, but passkeys are moving sign-in toward a passwordless future. A passkey replaces a reusable password with a cryptographic credential approved on a supported device—usually with the same PIN, fingerprint, or face check you already use to unlock it. Passkeys are designed to resist phishing, but how you store them and how you recover an account still matter.
Are passwords going away?
No—not yet. Passkeys are increasingly available, but availability and adoption are different things. In its May 7, 2026 release, the FIDO Alliance reported results from two online studies conducted in April by Sapio Research on its behalf. Among 11,000 consumers surveyed across ten countries, 90% said they were aware of passkeys, 75% said they had enabled one on at least one account, and 49% said they used passkeys regularly when available. The consumer survey’s reported margin of error was ±0.9 percentage points; these are survey responses, not a census of all users. FIDO Alliance: State of Passkeys 2026
The Alliance also estimates that 5 billion passkeys are in use worldwide, based on public information and its internal deployment data. That estimate counts passkeys, not distinct people. The same consumer study found 47% of respondents said they were likely to abandon a purchase or sign-in if they could not remember a password, showing why simpler authentication matters to services as well as users.
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What is a passkey?
A passkey is a FIDO credential built on public-key cryptography. When you create one for a website or app, the service stores a public key and your authenticator—such as a phone, computer, or security key—keeps the corresponding private credential. To sign in, you approve the request locally, often with a device PIN or biometric. You do not type a reusable password into the sign-in page. FIDO describes passkeys as using the familiar steps people use to unlock their devices. CISA: Implementing Phishing-Resistant MFA and FIDO Alliance: Passkeys
#1 Best Overall
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Because the credential is associated with the service it was registered for, a fake site cannot simply collect the passkey as it can collect a typed password. That makes passkeys phishing-resistant, not phishing-proof: account security still depends on the service, the authenticator, and the recovery process.
Are passkeys safer than passwords?
For supported sign-ins, passkeys address two persistent password weaknesses: people reuse or choose guessable passwords, and attackers can trick people into entering credentials on fake sites. A passkey is not a shared secret typed into a page, and its service-specific design helps prevent a credential from being reused at an impostor site. The FIDO Alliance promotes passkeys as phishing-resistant authentication; that is a meaningful security improvement, not a guarantee that an account cannot be compromised.
Rank #2
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Security also depends on where the credential lives, how it is recovered, and whether another person can access the account or credential manager. NIST notes that syncable authenticators can offer phishing-resistant authentication when implemented correctly, while identifying risks related to sharing and the management of keys over their lifecycle. NIST: Using Passkeys at NIST
Synced or device-bound: where is your passkey stored?
“Passkey” describes the sign-in credential, not a single storage arrangement. Check the service and device prompts when enrolling so you know which authenticator or credential manager will hold it.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
| Type | Where it is held | Practical trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Synced passkey | Available through a credential manager or account across supported devices. | Convenient across devices and potentially easier to recover; the account and sync system become part of the credential’s security and recovery picture. |
| Device-bound passkey | Held by a specific authenticator, which may be a phone, computer, or physical security key. | Useful when a policy calls for a credential tied to a particular device or authenticator; plan for device loss or replacement. |
NIST’s discussion treats syncable authenticators as an emerging option that is not appropriate for every service. FIDO’s 2025 U.S. government guidance distinguishes assurance contexts: in the cited NIST SP 800-63B framework, device-bound passkeys may meet AAL2 or AAL3 requirements, while synced passkeys are limited to AAL2. That is not a universal legal or compliance rule; organizations should check the currently applicable NIST standard and their sector’s policy. NIST: Using Passkeys at NIST and FIDO Alliance: U.S. Government Agencies Guide to Deploying Passkeys
How do I use a passkey?
- Open the service’s account-security settings. Look for a passkey or passwordless sign-in option. The exact menu name and availability vary by website, app, device, and account.
- Choose the authenticator deliberately. Follow the prompt to save the passkey on your phone or computer, or in a supported credential manager. Note which account or device is managing it.
- Approve future sign-ins locally. When the service asks for the passkey, confirm with the device’s PIN or biometric rather than entering a password.
- Set up a fallback while you still have access. If the service allows it, add another passkey or keep its supported recovery method current. Do not assume every service offers the same options.
You can also use a phone’s passkey to sign into a service on a nearby laptop in supported cross-device flows. FIDO describes Bluetooth Low Energy as a proximity check in that process—not the cryptographic basis of the sign-in. FIDO Alliance: Passkeys
Rank #4
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
What happens if I lose my phone?
The outcome depends on whether the passkey is synced, whether you can access its credential manager from another device, and what recovery methods the service supports. A synced passkey may be available after signing in to the manager on another supported device. A device-bound passkey may not be present on a replacement phone, so you may need a second registered authenticator or the service’s account-recovery process.
Before relying on a passkey as your only route in, register a second passkey where possible and retain an up-to-date recovery option. In a 2026 case study, FIDO’s RSA deployment recommends that users register at least two passkeys when possible; it is practical guidance, not a guarantee that every service supports two. FIDO Alliance: RSA case study
Best Value
- FIDO2 & Passkey Ready: Business-ready and FIDO2 L1 certified. This key is supported by major management suites and is ideal for both individual and enterprise deployment. Works seamlessly with Gmail, Facebook, GitHub, Dropbox, Coinbase, and more.
- Universal Connectivity (USB-A ): Features a built-in USB-A connector—simply unfold the key and plug it into your compatible PC or laptop for seamless authentication on the go.
- Dedicated Manager App: Use the Thetis Manager App for the initial hardware PIN setup. Setting the PIN on the device first ensures a smooth registration process. Once the PIN is configured, you can begin registering the key across your favorite FIDO2-compatible online services.
- Ultra-Durable & Portable: Featuring a rotating metal cover, this key is water, crush, and tamper-resistant. It fits easily on a keychain and requires no batteries or network connectivity.
- Check FIDO2 compatibility before purchase - Known limitations: ID Austria is not supported (requires FIDO2 Level 2). Windows Hello login only works with Windows Enterprise editions that support Entra ID, and NFC is NOT supported.
Do I need a security key?
No. A FIDO2 hardware security key is an optional, physical device-bound authenticator. Phones and computers can support passkeys without a separate purchase. A hardware key can be useful as a separate authenticator or backup, but confirm that the service, operating system, and key’s connector or connection method are compatible before buying—and keep another recovery route if the service supports one. CISA: Implementing Phishing-Resistant MFA and FIDO Alliance: Passkeys
What adoption numbers mean for workplaces
The FIDO Alliance’s separate April 2026 workforce study surveyed 1,400 decision-makers at organizations with at least 500 employees in the same ten countries; its reported margin of error was ±2.6 percentage points. It found 68% said their organization had deployed or was actively deploying passkeys for employee sign-ins. While 82% named fully passwordless authentication as an ultimate workforce goal, 28% said they had achieved it. These figures describe surveyed organizations, not all employers.
Among organizations deploying passkeys, respondents reported outcomes including improved security confidence (47%), faster employee logins (45%), improved IT satisfaction (43%), fewer password-reset tickets (35%), and fewer phishing-related incidents (32%). These are survey-reported outcomes, not proof that passkeys alone caused the changes. FIDO Alliance: State of Passkeys 2026
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteAn earlier FIDO Alliance enterprise study found 87% of surveyed U.S. and UK companies had or were in the process of rolling out passkeys. It describes a different survey, geography, and time period from the 2026 global workforce results; it should not be treated as the same measure. The earlier study also identifies complexity, cost, and unclear implementation as rollout barriers, and describes organizations starting with employees who handle sensitive data. FIDO Alliance: Passkeys in the Enterprise 2025
Quick Recap
How organizations should choose an approach
- Recovery: Decide how employees will regain access after losing a device. Synced credentials and managed device-bound credentials have different recovery paths; consider spare authenticators and documented recovery procedures.
- Assurance and policy: Match the credential type to current sector requirements and organizational policy. Do not assume that synced and device-bound passkeys meet identical assurance needs.
- Compatibility: Check the actual applications, operating systems, authenticators, and cross-device workflows employees use. A technically sound method is not useful if it does not cover the workforce’s services and devices.
- Rollout and exceptions: Plan communication, training, documentation, legacy-system handling, and exceptions. FIDO’s earlier enterprise research identifies implementation complexity and clarity as concerns; its RSA case study describes a single organization reaching near-complete passwordless adoption across managed endpoints within twelve months of starting its rollout, not a timeline other employers should expect. FIDO Alliance: Passkeys in the Enterprise 2025 and FIDO Alliance: RSA case study
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