Duo Mobile vs Yubico Authenticator

Duo Mobile provides two-factor and multi-factor authentication for company and personal data on iOS and Android phones and tablets. Users can approve or deny sign-ins with Duo Push, or enter time-based passcodes generated by the app. It also supports third-party TOTP accounts, biometrics, and passcodes. Duo Restore backs up and restores Duo-protected accounts when a user changes devices, and Security Checkup provides a mobile-device security score through app notifications. For organizations, Duo connects with legacy infrastructure, custom apps, VPNs, SaaS tools, and offline devices. Integration methods include RADIUS, SAML/OIDC, Duo Authentication Proxy, and direct API connections. Adaptive policies can consider user role, location, application, network, and device health. Duo says it keeps private keys on users’ devices in a tamper-proof secure element and does not store passwords. The free plan covers 10 users; paid plans start at $3.00 per month, and a 30-day trial is listed. End users needing enrollment or troubleshooting help are directed to their organization’s Duo administrator.

Yubico Authenticator generates two-step verification codes for online accounts on mobile and desktop devices. It supports TOTP and HOTP, and users can add credentials by scanning a service’s QR code. Credentials are stored in a YubiKey secure element; Yubico says they cannot be extracted. Since the credentials remain on the portable YubiKey, the same codes are available through the mobile and desktop apps. The mobile app supports tap-and-go authentication on NFC-enabled devices, and credentials can be added with a YubiKey touch or NFC tap. Yubico says users can unlock a YubiKey with Face ID or Touch ID. The app can display OATH codes and manage a YubiKey’s FIDO PIN or perform a factory reset. It is free and open-source software, listed at free, for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS/iPadOS, and Android. Generating and displaying OATH credentials with the desktop app requires a YubiKey.