6 Best Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Solutions for 2024

• Greatest free MFA app for people: Google Authenticator
• Greatest MFA software program for small to medium-sized companies: Cisco Duo
• Greatest MFA answer for builders in startups and nonprofits: Auth0
• Greatest MFA software program for enterprises: PingID
• Greatest MFA answer for builders constructing self-hosted purposes: FusionAuth
• Greatest for constructing a personalized workforce IAM answer: Okta

Multi-factor authentication requires customers to current two or extra items of proof to show their id, reminiscent of a password and a one-time code despatched to a certified gadget. Requiring a secondary authentication issue reduces the danger of breaches brought on by brute power assaults, social engineering and different strategies used to steal or guess passwords, bettering an organization’s general safety posture.

For an instance of how MFA prevents knowledge breaches, learn Learn how to Stop Phishing Assaults with Multi-Issue Authentication.

MFA software program options present multi-factor authentication for particular person end-users, organizational workforces and customer-facing purposes. Some platforms additionally supply id and entry administration (IAM) options like single sign-on or further performance like menace detection. This information compares the highest multi-factor authentication instruments primarily based on use case, options and value.

High MFA software program comparability

Every of the MFA instruments on this listing is the very best for a selected use case or deployment surroundings because of their pricing construction, distinctive function choices and ease of use.

Google Authenticator is a free MFA app for Android, iOS, Put on OS and Blackberry. It generates time-based one-time passwords for a variety of third-party software program with little or no setup. Google Authenticator is a very helpful MFA software for particular person end-users as a result of it supplies TOTPs for thus many alternative purposes and providers in a single place. Nonetheless, it doesn’t natively supply any multi-user administration performance for organizations with out being built-in with one other administration platform.

Wish to strive one other free MFA app? Learn our assessment of the High 6 Google Authenticator Alternate options.

Why we selected Google Authenticator

This software is sort of a free skeleton key for end-users, granting them TOTPs for a lot of completely different purposes and providers in a single place.

Pricing

Options

• Software program token authentication with TOTPs.
• Cell push authentication that permits customers to just accept or deny an authentication with no code.
• Permits the non-obligatory use of tokens on a number of gadgets.

Execs

• Utterly free.
• Offers TOTPs for a lot of completely different apps and providers.
• Straightforward to combine with different software program.

Cons

• Doesn’t supply multi-user administration performance for organizations.

For extra info, learn our comparability of Authy vs. Google Authenticator.

Duo (now owned by Cisco) is a cloud-based entry administration software that gives free MFA for as much as 10 customers, making it an amazing selection for budget-conscious small companies searching for fundamental performance. For SMBs searching for enhanced IAM capabilities, paid plans unlock further options reminiscent of single sign-on, passwordless authentication, adaptive and risk-based authentication, gadget visibility and menace detection. The Premier plan additionally presents Zero Belief Community Entry for VPN-less distant entry to enterprise assets.

Why we selected Cisco Duo

Cisco Duo presents an entire MFA platform totally free to organizations with 10 or fewer customers, and SMBs can get a full suite of IAM options + ZTNA for an inexpensive value.

Pricing

• Free MFA for as much as 10 customers.
• Necessities plan provides SSO, cellular push and passwordless authentication for $3 per person monthly.
• Benefit plan provides adaptive MFA, gadget visibility and menace detection for $6 per person monthly.
• Premier plan provides ZTNA and endpoint safety for $9 per person monthly.

Options

• Software program and {hardware} token authentication with OTPs.
• Cell push authentication.
• Helps biometric authenticators through WebAuthn and USB-based Quick Identification On-line safety keys.
• Integrates with Microsoft Home windows for servers and workstations to offer MFA for native log-ons, Distant Desktop and Person Account Management (UAC) elevation prompts.

Execs

• Offers free MFA for as much as 10 customers.
• Paid plans are inexpensive for SMBs whereas offering strong options.
• Uniquely presents each ZTNA and Microsoft Home windows integrations.

Cons

• Doesn’t present as a lot granular person and gadget management as different options.
• Cell push notifications could be gradual, relying on the provider.

For extra info, view Duo Passwordless: Skilled Ideas and Your Questions Answered.

Auth0 is a buyer id and entry administration answer that builders combine into their customer-facing (or partner-facing) purposes to offer performance like MFA and SSO. Auth0 hosts the answer of their cloud, however they provide non-public clouds for patrons who want devoted assets. MFA is accessible totally free within the public cloud for as much as 7,500 lively customers and consists of machine to machine authentication and customizable logins.

Paid plans can get dear, however they embody options like SSO, id administration and step-up MFA, which requires stronger authentication to entry extra delicate assets. Plus, Auth0 presents particular pricing for startups and nonprofits.

Why we selected Auth0

We selected Auth0 for its deal with CIAM and design with startup builders in thoughts. The answer is free for as much as 7,500 customers, and startups and nonprofits get discounted pricing on paid plans.

Pricing

• Free MFA for as much as 7,500 lively customers.
• Necessities plan provides passwordless authentication and extra administrative options for $35 monthly (for 500 customers).
• Skilled plan provides cross-app SSO, M2M capability and plenty of different options for $240 monthly (for 500 customers).
• Enterprise plan is customizable and supplies 99.99% SLA and enterprise help.

Options

• {Hardware} and software program OTP authentication.
• Cell push, SMS, voice, electronic mail and WebAuthn authentication.
• Customized-branded login screens, domains and electronic mail notifications.
• Extremely extensible with integrations and add-on options.

Execs

• Offers free customer-facing MFA for as much as 7,500 lively customers and presents important reductions to startups and nonprofits.
• Paid plans supply a extremely customizable expertise with strong id administration options.
• Enterprise clients can improve to a non-public cloud to get devoted assets.

Cons

• Doesn’t present out-of-the-box workforce id.
• Pricing is excessive, with many options restricted to Enterprise plans that may value greater than $30k monthly, in response to buyer evaluations.

For extra info, learn our comparability of Auth0 vs. JumpCloud.

PingID is the MFA part of the PingOne cloud platform for id and entry administration. At a minimal, this platform additionally consists of SSO and Microsoft integration, whereas upgraded plans present adaptive MFA, superior safety features and VPN/distant entry integrations. The PingID cellular app helps fingerprint, facial recognition, swipe, software program tokens and Apple Watch authentication. PingID additionally presents MFA through desktop software program tokens, third-party {hardware} tokens, and electronic mail, SMS and voice OTPs. Plan costs are inexpensive per person, however there’s a 5,000 person minimal, favoring enterprises and different very massive organizations.

Why we selected PingID

PingID is a part of a complete workforce id platform with options like SSO and Home windows integrations, and Ping Identification presents aggressive per-user pricing for even its most superior workforce IAM plans.

Pricing

• Important plan supplies SSO, MFA, SaaS director, and Microsoft integration for $3 per person monthly (min. 5,000 customers).
• Plus plan provides adaptive MFA and passwordless authentication for $6 per person monthly (min. 5,000 customers).
• Premium plan is customizable and provides VPN/distant entry integrations and API entry management.
• Buyer-facing MFA is accessible with PingOne for patrons, beginning at $40k per yr.

Options

• MFA cellular app supporting fingerprint, facial recognition, swipe, software program tokens and Apple Watch authentication.
• Desktop software program token, cellular push, electronic mail, SMS, voice and third-party {hardware} token authentication.
• SSO, Microsoft integrations, adaptive MFA and VPN/distant entry integrations obtainable.

Execs

• A part of an entire workforce IAM answer with SSO and Microsoft integration.
• Offers a sturdy MFA cellular app supporting a wide range of authentication strategies.
• Affords aggressive per-user pricing for giant organizations.

Cons

• Authentication could be gradual or buggy.
• Should have no less than 5,000 lively customers to obtain marketed pricing.

For extra info, learn our comparability of Ping Identification vs. Okta.

FusionAuth is a customer-facing authentication answer that integrates with customized software program. Along with MFA, it supplies passwordless, biometric, and M2M authentication, in addition to SSO, superior menace detection, person administration and password management. FusionAuth, like Auth0, targets builders constructing customized purposes and supplies options like no-code configuration and seamless API integration to make their jobs simpler. What differentiates FusionAuth is the shopper’s potential to self-host the answer of their on-premises, non-public cloud or public cloud surroundings (e.g., AWS). This function provides builders full management over entry and safety, simplifying compliance in heavily-regulated industries like healthcare and federal authorities contracting.

Why we selected FusionAuth

FusionAuth presents essentially the most versatile internet hosting choices, together with managed cloud (private and non-private) and self-hosted plans. It’s additionally a complete customer-facing authentication answer designed with builders in thoughts.

Pricing

• Fundamental internet hosting within the FusionAuth cloud supplies all of the authentication options named above for $37 monthly.
• Enterprise internet hosting supplies a devoted server within the FusionAuth cloud for $225 monthly.
• Excessive Availability internet hosting supplies devoted, redundant server configurations within the FusionAuth cloud with backups and an SLA for $500 monthly.
• Self-hosted Starter plan supplies MFA, breached password detection, M2M authentication and extra for $125 monthly (for first 10k customers).
• Self-hosted Necessities plan provides superior connectivity and safety features, Webauthn biometrics and electronic mail help for $850 monthly (for first 10k customers).
• Self-hosted Enterprise plan provides superior menace detection and 24/7 help (together with Kubernetes tech help) for $3,300 monthly (for first 10K customers).
• Word: There’s a free self-hosted plan that gives core authentication, however not MFA.

Options

• MFA utilizing passwordless, biometric, M2M, cellular push, SMS and electronic mail authentication.
• SSO, superior menace detection, step-up MFA, person administration and breached password detection.
• Limitless social media, gaming and enterprise login integration.
• Personalized and localized MFA messages.

Execs

• Affords many self-hosting choices for builders who want better management over authentication and safety.
• Cloud-based plans all embody a complete function set.
• Offers excessive availability managed cloud options like redundant server configurations and backups for mission-critical purposes.

Cons

• Clients report a steep studying curve to get began with most options.
• Pricing is excessive in comparison with comparable options.

Okta is a cloud-based IAM platform that lets clients mix-and-match a la carte id options to construct personalized options that tackle all their necessities with out forcing them to pay for issues they don’t want. The fundamental MFA function authenticates through Okta’s cellular OTP and push apps, in addition to electronic mail, SMS, biometrics, voice and third-party {hardware} and software program tokens. It additionally supplies some context-aware authentication capabilities, although the upgraded Adaptive MFA plan supplies much more context elements. Different Okta merchandise embody SSO, lifecycle administration, API entry administration, automation workflows and extra. Most of those options are very affordably priced, although there’s a $1,500 annual contract minimal.

Why we selected Okta

Okta permits clients to construct their very own workforce IAM answer by combining a la carte identification options at aggressive costs. The fundamental MFA providing consists of a number of cellular app choices and context-aware authentication.

Pricing

• Fundamental MFA is $3 per person monthly ($1,500 annual contract minimal).
• Adaptive MFA is $6 per person monthly ($1,500 annual contract minimal).
• Different options obtainable for $2–$15 per person monthly.
• Buyer IAM plans with MFA don’t use a la carte pricing and begin at $240 monthly.

Options

• MFA cellular app in addition to cellular push, passwordless, electronic mail, SMS, voice, U2F and third-party {hardware} and software program token authentication.
• Context-aware adaptive MFA (with further context elements obtainable with the Adaptive MFA plan).
• Many further options obtainable to add-on a la carte.

Execs

• Offers MFA as a standalone function at a extremely aggressive value.
• Helps many alternative authentication strategies and seamlessly integrates with many alternative purposes.
• Permits firms to construct personalized IAM options to realize all of the options they want.

Cons

• $1,500 annual contract minimal could also be prohibitive to small companies.

For extra info, learn the total Okta assessment.

How do I select the very best MFA software program for my enterprise?

Every multi-factor authentication product on this listing excels in a number of use instances.

Google Authenticator is the very best answer for particular person finish customers searching for a free MFA app. Cisco Duo is an inexpensive but highly effective software for budget-conscious SMBs. Auth0’s developer-focused CIAM platform targets startups and nonprofits with particular pricing presents. PingID presents aggressive pricing packages for giant enterprise workforce or buyer id. FusionAuth supplies a developer-friendly buyer authentication answer with versatile, cloud-based or self-hosting choices. Okta’s cloud-based workforce id platform presents MFA and different incorporates a la carte so firms can construct a personalized IAM answer.

The completely different function units and pricing buildings of every answer could make it tough to make direct comparisons, so that you’ll want to research your necessities to find out which MFA software is the very best match.

Evaluation methodology

We performed a radical evaluation of the capabilities, options and pricing construction of every product to find out which MFA software was the very best for every use case. This concerned reviewing public-facing knowledge from vendor web sites and datasheets, studying person evaluations from websites like G2 and Gartner Peer Insights, and, when potential, downloading free trial variations for hands-on testing.