Every organization requires a different approach to Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Depending on the size, complexity, and sensitivity of an organization’s data, the requirements of an MFA solution can vary significantly. To provide the necessary level of cybersecurity protection, a tailored approach to MFA is often necessary.
Among the leading players in the MFA market, Cisco Duo has long offered a cloud-based access management solution and features like auditing and reporting. However, limitations such as MFA timeouts, delayed push notifications, and inconsistent customer support highlight the need for more sophisticated alternatives.
Many modern MFA solutions surpass Duo’s capabilities, offering stronger security features and more customization. Below, we examine some of the best alternatives for securing user identification, access control, and organizational authentication.
Key Criteria for Selecting a Duo Alternative
Before diving into the specifics of available MFA options, consider the essential criteria any potential MFA solution must meet to ensure robust security for your organization:
- User Experience and Customer Support: A streamlined user interface and strong customer support are essential. Ease of deployment and navigation ensures smooth operations and minimizes friction while enhancing security posture.
- Offline MFA Support: Security does not stop when your systems are offline. Your MFA solution should extend to offline methods such as hardware tokens or biometrics, enabling seamless authentication even without internet access.
- Multiple Authentication Options: The MFA tool should support a broad range of authentication methods, from tokens and push notifications to biometric factors. The more versatile, the better equipped your organization will be to face emerging threats.
- Adaptive Authentication: Modern threats are dynamic, and your MFA solution should be too. Look for adaptive MFA features that adjust based on real-time risk, offering stronger security while maintaining user convenience.
- Integration and Scalability: MFA solutions must integrate smoothly with your current infrastructure—whether it is cloud, on-prem, or hybrid. The ability to scale your business and adapt to changing security needs is crucial.
- Reporting and Auditing: Visibility is critical for security. A good MFA system will offer detailed auditing and reporting capabilities to monitor access patterns, compliance adherence, and identify potential risks in real-time.
Top Alternatives to Cisco Duo
Here are some of the best alternatives to Cisco Duo, offering advanced capabilities to strengthen your organization’s identity protection efforts:
1. Silverfort MFA
- Pros: Silverfort’s agentless and proxyless approach integrates with any existing identity infrastructure, including legacy systems, command-line tools, and on-premises resources. Its AI-driven risk engine adapts authentication requirements in real-time, covering resources that traditional MFA solutions often miss.
- Cons: Some organizations may require multiple layers of security to ensure proper verification and authentication.
- Best for: Enterprises needing comprehensive protection, especially those with complex hybrid environments that include legacy applications.
2. Microsoft Entra ID (Azure Active Directory)
- Pros: Offers robust SSO, real-time visibility, and identity protection features. It is a great option for cloud-first environments.
- Cons: Higher costs and occasional outages can be a drawback. The interface is also complex for some users.
- Best for: Organizations fully transitioning to cloud environments or scaling up existing security infrastructures.
3. Okta MFA
- Pros: A cloud-native identity and access management tool, Okta offers deep auditing features and integrates well with other tools, enhancing your security infrastructure.
- Cons: Push notifications and logins can experience delays, and legacy systems need external syncing.
- Best for: Organizations are just beginning to build out their identity and security infrastructure.
4. ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus
- Pros: Specializes in password management and identity security. It includes self-service tools for password resets and account unlocking, enhancing security for both endpoints and cloud apps.
- Cons: Key features are locked behind premium plans, making it pricey. Additionally, integration with hybrid environments can be slow.
- Best for: Larger organizations with dedicated IT budgets, especially in finance or IT sectors.
5. Thales SafeNet Authentication Service (SAS)
- Pros: A cloud-based solution with flexible access management and strong monitoring capabilities. It provides a wide range of authentication tools for securing user identities.
- Cons: Requires additional software for full integration with on-prem environments. Many features are outdated, with no recent updates.
- Best for: Enterprises needing secure SSO and user access management for cloud applications.
6. IBM Security Verify
- Pros: This robust IAM solution supports MFA for web apps, mobile devices, and desktop environments.
- Cons: Its deployment process can be complex, and limited reporting may be a challenge for detailed audits.
- Best for: Large enterprises with significant on-prem and cloud resources transitioning to comprehensive IAM solutions.
7. SecureAuth Arculix
- Pros: A flexible, password less MFA platform with AI-driven risk analysis, it offers extensive policy customization.
- Cons: Remote MFA enrollment can be difficult, and the mobile experience is not always smooth.
- Best for: SMBs and enterprises seeking a flexible solution with self-service capabilities.
| SOLUTION | PROS | CONS | PRICING | BEST FOR |
| Silverfort | Comprehensive adaptive MFA. Integrates with all MFA/IAM tools. Real-time coverage with robust reporting. Automated account discovery and protection. | Might require extra steps to secure access and verify users. | Contact Silverfort for detailed pricing. | Organizations seeking high-grade protection, especially for cloud and legacy systems, with robust auditing and automation. |
| Microsoft Entra ID | Great for cloud-centric environments. Offers real-time visibility and SSO. Identity protection tools. | More expensive than other MFA solutions. Reported outages. Complex to use and navigate. | Several plans available. Microsoft Entra ID P1 starts from $6 per user/ month. ID P2 costs $9 per user/ month. Microsoft Entra Suite starts from $12.00 per user/month. | Organizations are looking to entirely transition to the cloud or support their existing tools. |
| Okta MFA | Configurable MFA and SSO add-ons. Robust auditing. Integrates with other tools. | On-prem and legacy MFA require syncing with other software. Frequent time lags with push notifications and logins. | Their MFA plan starts at $3 per user/ month. | Businesses are just starting to set up their security infrastructures. |
| ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus | Robust password management. Self-service options. Secure endpoint and cloud logins. | Expensive premium plans, featuring key MFA tools. Complex integration. Limited customization. | Annual subscriptions, from $195 for standard MFA (100 domain users). | Larger businesses with a robust budget, especially those in IT and finance. |
| Thales Safenet Authentication Service (SAS) | Great for cloud-based environments. Strong reporting and monitoring. Flexible access management. | Requires additional software to fully operate in on-prem and hybrid systems. Pricey features sold separately. No new features added. | Custom pricing quotes. | Organizations seeking integrated SSO with secure user access in cloud and web-based apps. |
| IMB Security Verify | Solid MFA for web apps, desktop, and mobile. Works with cloud and on-premise systems. Configurable risk-level settings. | Insufficient troubleshooting documentation. Deployment is long and complex. Limited reporting options. | Based on usage and features. E.g., Adaptive MFA for 1,000 users is $3.75 per user/ month. | Enterprises that are slowly transitioning to cloud IAM. |
| SecureAuth Arculix | Password less MFA. Easy policy creation. Machine learning for assigning risk scores. | Frustrating mobile experience. Delayed customer support. Complex MFA enrollment remotely. | Undisclosed. Reach out via their website for details. | SMBs and enterprises seeking flexible MFA with good self-service. |
Conclusion: Selecting the Right Duo Alternative
When evaluating alternatives to Cisco Duo, the goal is not just to replace one tool with another—it is about finding a solution that fits your unique needs, enhances your cybersecurity efforts, and scales with your organization. Silverfort, with its comprehensive adaptive MFA, covers all bases by protecting legacy systems, offline devices, and cloud applications alike. It is a clear leader for organizations seeking an all-in-one solution to elevate their security posture.
To explore how Silverfort can protect your entire organization, schedule a demo today!