With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, understanding the authentication methods that protect your accounts is essential. Passkeys and security keys are two authentication methods designed to enhance your online security, but they function differently. Learning about their differences can help you choose the best option for your needs. Keep on reading to discover the key differences between passkeys vs. security keys.
Security Keys vs. Passkeys: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between passkeys and security keys lies in their form and how they store authentication credentials. Passkeys are digital credentials that can be either software-bound (stored on your operating system or synced via the cloud) or hardware-bound (stored on a physical device like a YubiKey). Security keys are always physical hardware devices, like USB tokens, specifically designed for authentication purposes.
Of course, there are many more differences between these two.
So, we prepared a compact table that outlines the most important differences between passkeys and security keys.
Passkeys vs. Security Keys: Differences Table
| Passkeys | Security Keys |
| Digital credentials used for authentication, stored securely on devices. | Physical hardware devices used for authentication. |
| Can be software-bound or hardware-bound. | Always hardware-based and requires physical possession. |
| Software-bound passkeys can sync via encrypted cloud services. | Users must carry the physical device; no syncing or cloud storage. |
| With software-bound passkeys, a compromise of a password manager could pose a risk. | Theft of the physical key could pose a risk, but user verification methods can mitigate this. |
| Free to use if you have a compatible device like a smartphone or computer. | Involves additional cost to purchase the hardware security key. |
| Rely on device security measures; cloud synchronization uses end-to-end encryption. | Provide security independent of the device; credentials are stored only on the key. |
| Convenient for users familiar with smartphones and cloud services; no extra devices are needed. | Preferred when maximum security is required; ideal for corporate environments. |
| Adoption is growing; becoming more widely supported across websites and applications. | Wider support; essential in corporate environments. |
| May be less secure if the device is compromised, the password manager’s master password is breached, or cloud services are breached. | Less susceptible to remote attacks; the attacker must have the physical key. |
| Passkeys are WebAuthn discoverable credentials (resident keys) enabling passwordless login; inherently phishing-resistant. | FIDO2 authenticator devices are capable of storing both discoverable (passkeys) and non-discoverable credentials, while pre-FIDO2 authenticators (U2F) can only store non-discoverable credentials. |
Advantages of Security Keys over Passkeys
Security keys offer several benefits that make them a strong choice for enhancing your online security:
- Enhanced Security: Being physical devices, security keys are not susceptible to remote hacking or cloud data breaches. An attacker would need to possess the physical key to gain unauthorized access.
- Versatility: Security keys can serve multiple purposes. They can act as FIDO WebAuthn authenticators, FIDO U2F authenticators, and as well as hardware-bound passkey stores. This versatility makes them compatible with a wide range of services and applications.
- No Cloud Dependency: Credentials stored on security keys cannot be uploaded to the cloud. This eliminates risks associated with cloud storage, such as data breaches or synchronization errors.
- Consistent Performance: As dedicated devices, security keys provide a reliable authentication experience across different platforms and services.
- Mitigation of Remote Attacks: Less susceptible to remote attacks; attackers need physical access to the key.
Advantages of Passkeys over Security Keys
Passkeys, especially software-bound ones, also have distinct advantages:
- Cost-Effective: Utilize existing hardware, avoiding additional expenses.
- User Convenience: No need to carry an extra device; authentication is integrated into devices users already own.
- Cloud Synchronization: Software-bound passkeys can sync across multiple devices using encrypted cloud services. This means you can access your passkeys from any of your devices without needing a physical key.
- Ease of Adoption: Users are more likely to adopt passkeys because they integrate with devices used daily. This promotes better security practices without requiring significant changes to user behavior.
Enable Passkey MFA and Security Key MFA With Rublon
Passkeys or security keys? Why not both? You certainly can with Rublon MFA, a state-of-the-art multi-factor authentication platform that supports FIDO security keys, Passkeys, and many other authentication methods, allowing organizations to secure their employees’ access to IT resources.
Want to try Rublon MFA for free? Start a trial below.
