Best MFA Software in 2026: 12 Multi-Factor Authentication Tools Compared

Short answer: for most organisations the best MFA software is the one built into the identity provider you already use, configured with strong methods. Microsoft Entra ID fits Microsoft 365 shops, Okta fits multi-vendor SaaS estates, and Cisco Duo is the easiest standalone add-on for protecting VPNs, servers and apps that sit outside your IdP. Ping Identity and RSA suit large regulated enterprises, JumpCloud suits small IT teams that also want device and directory management, and YubiKey hardware keys are the gold standard for phishing-resistant login on admin accounts. If you need MFA for your customers inside your own app, look at CIAM platforms such as Auth0, Amazon Cognito or Descope instead.

Whatever you choose, the method matters more than the brand: phishing-resistant factors (passkeys, FIDO2 security keys, smart cards) beat push approvals, which beat one-time codes, which beat SMS.

Best MFA software compared

Tool	Best for	Main factor types	Phishing-resistant options	Protects	Pricing model
Cisco Duo	Adding MFA to VPNs, servers and mixed apps quickly	Push, passcodes, hardware tokens, passkeys, biometrics	Yes (WebAuthn/FIDO2)	SaaS, VPN, RDP, SSH, on-prem apps	Per user per month; free edition for very small teams
Microsoft Entra ID	Microsoft 365 and Azure organisations	Authenticator push, passkeys, Windows Hello, FIDO2, certificates	Yes	Microsoft 365, Azure, federated SaaS	Included at a basic level with Microsoft 365; advanced policies in paid Entra tiers
Okta	Multi-vendor SaaS estates with Okta SSO	Okta Verify push, TOTP, FIDO2, biometrics	Yes	Okta-connected apps, some on-prem via agents	Per user per month, MFA sold as a product or add-on
Ping Identity	Large and regulated enterprises	PingID push, OTP, FIDO2, biometrics	Yes	Web apps, VPN, Windows, hybrid environments	Quote-based
RSA (SecurID / ID Plus)	Organisations standardised on hardware tokens	Hardware and software tokens, push, FIDO2	Yes	VPN, on-prem and cloud apps	Quote-based; hardware tokens bought per device
JumpCloud	SMB IT teams wanting directory, devices and MFA in one	Push app, TOTP, WebAuthn	Yes (WebAuthn)	Devices, SSO apps, LDAP, RADIUS	Per user per month, bundled packages
OneLogin	Mid-market SSO plus MFA	Push app, OTP, WebAuthn	Yes (WebAuthn)	SSO apps, RADIUS	Per user per month
ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus	Active Directory shops needing MFA on Windows logon and VPN	Many options incl. authenticator apps, biometrics, FIDO keys	Yes	Windows, macOS, Linux logon, VPN, OWA, cloud apps	Per domain user, quote-based tiers
Silverfort	Extending MFA to legacy systems and service accounts	Push, integrates with existing MFA providers	Depends on factor used	AD, command-line tools, legacy apps	Quote-based
YubiKey (Yubico)	Phishing-resistant keys for admins and high-risk staff	FIDO2/passkeys, smart card (PIV), OTP	Yes	Anything that supports FIDO2, PIV or OTP	One-time hardware purchase per key
Keycloak	Teams wanting open-source SSO with built-in MFA	TOTP, WebAuthn/passkeys	Yes (WebAuthn)	Apps federated to Keycloak	Free open source; you pay for hosting and support
Google Workspace 2-Step Verification	Google Workspace organisations	Prompts, passkeys, security keys, authenticator codes	Yes	Google Workspace and apps using Google SSO	Included with Workspace

Pricing models reflect how each vendor generally sells; plan names and prices change often, so check current pricing with each vendor before budgeting.

What is MFA software?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) software requires users to prove who they are with two or more independent factors before they get access:

• Something you know: a password or PIN.
• Something you have: a phone with an authenticator app, a hardware security key, a smart card.
• Something you are: a fingerprint or face, usually checked locally on a device.

MFA software manages enrolment of those factors, prompts users at sign-in, applies policy (who needs which factor, when), and logs every authentication. Most modern tools also add context such as device health, location and risk signals, often called adaptive or risk-based MFA.

MFA vs 2FA vs passwordless: what is the difference?

• 2FA (two-factor authentication) is MFA with exactly two factors, for example a password plus an authenticator code.
• MFA is the broader term for two or more factors. In practice most “MFA” deployments are 2FA.
• Passwordless removes the password entirely. A passkey or security key with a local PIN or biometric is still multi-factor (something you have plus something you know or are), and it is phishing-resistant.

Which MFA methods are most secure?

Method	Phishing resistance	Main weakness	Where it fits
Passkeys and FIDO2 security keys	High	Need recovery planning for lost devices	Admins, executives, everyone where supported
Smart cards and certificates (PIV/CAC)	High	Card and reader logistics	Government and regulated enterprises
Push with number matching	Medium	Can still be relayed by advanced phishing kits	General workforce
Simple push approve/deny	Low to medium	“MFA fatigue” attacks that spam prompts	Being phased out in favour of number matching
Authenticator app codes (TOTP)	Low to medium	Codes can be phished in real time	Fallback method, apps without push
SMS and voice codes	Low	SIM swapping, interception, phishing	Last resort; customer-facing fallback
Email codes and magic links	Low	Only as strong as the email account	Low-risk customer logins

US government guidance from CISA recommends phishing-resistant MFA, and NIST’s digital identity guidelines (SP 800-63B) treat SMS codes as a weaker, restricted option. A practical target for most businesses: passkeys or security keys for admins and privileged users, number-matching push or passkeys for everyone else, and SMS only where nothing else is possible.

The best MFA software in 2026, reviewed

1. Cisco Duo

Duo is the tool many IT teams reach for when they need MFA in front of things their main IdP does not cover: VPNs, remote desktop, SSH, on-premises web apps and older systems. Its Duo Mobile app supports push with number matching, and it supports passkeys and security keys. Device health checks let you block logins from out-of-date or unmanaged devices, and newer editions add SSO. Watch-outs: advanced device trust and policy features sit in higher editions, and running Duo alongside another IdP means two admin consoles. Pricing is per user per month with a free edition for very small teams; see our Duo pricing overview and check current pricing. Compare it with Okta in our Duo vs Okta comparison.

2. Microsoft Entra ID

If your staff live in Microsoft 365, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is usually the first MFA to switch on. Security defaults give a baseline of MFA for all users at no extra cost, while paid tiers add Conditional Access (policy by user, device, location and risk), passkey and certificate-based authentication controls and identity protection. The Microsoft Authenticator app supports number matching and passwordless sign-in. Watch-outs: licensing is complex, and protecting non-Microsoft on-premises systems often needs extra components. Check current pricing.

3. Okta

Okta Adaptive MFA and the Okta Verify app are strongest when Okta is already your SSO layer, because every federated app then inherits the same MFA policies. It supports FIDO2 and passkeys, biometrics, device assurance checks and risk-based policies. Watch-outs: MFA features are sold as separate products or add-ons, so costs build up; see our Okta pricing overview and check current pricing. If you are weighing a switch, see our list of Okta alternatives.

4. Ping Identity

Ping Identity (PingID and the PingOne platform) is built for large enterprises with hybrid environments, many identity stores and strict compliance needs. It is strong on policy orchestration, federation and customer as well as workforce MFA. Watch-outs: implementation effort and quote-based pricing make it a heavier choice for small teams. See our Ping Identity pricing overview.

5. RSA SecurID and ID Plus

RSA is the long-standing name in hardware one-time-password tokens and is still common in banking, government and industrial settings where phones are not allowed or not trusted. Its current platform adds software tokens, push, FIDO2 and cloud deployment. Watch-outs: hardware token logistics and replacement cycles add cost and admin work.

6. JumpCloud

JumpCloud combines a cloud directory, device management for Windows, macOS and Linux, SSO and MFA in one console. For small IT teams without on-premises Active Directory, that bundle can replace several tools. Watch-outs: large enterprises may find policy depth thinner than dedicated IdPs. See our JumpCloud pricing overview and check current pricing.

7. OneLogin

OneLogin, part of One Identity, pairs SSO with its OneLogin Protect app, WebAuthn support and SmartFactor risk-based authentication. It suits mid-market teams that want SSO and MFA without Okta-level complexity. See our OneLogin pricing overview and the Okta vs OneLogin comparison.

8. ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus

ADSelfService Plus is a practical fit for Active Directory environments that need MFA on Windows, macOS and Linux logon, VPN and Outlook on the web, together with self-service password reset. It supports a long list of authenticators. Watch-outs: it is centred on AD, so cloud-only organisations get less from it.

9. Silverfort

Silverfort takes a different approach: it extends MFA to resources that cannot normally prompt for it, such as legacy applications, command-line tools and some service-account activity in Active Directory, often by working with your existing MFA provider. It suits enterprises with a lot of legacy infrastructure.

10. YubiKey

Yubico’s YubiKey hardware keys are not MFA software on their own, but they are the factor many security teams standardise on for phishing-resistant login. They support FIDO2 and passkeys, smart card (PIV) and OTP, and work with Entra ID, Okta, Duo, Google and many others. Buy at least two per admin so a lost key does not lock anyone out. Check current pricing.

11. Keycloak

Keycloak is an open-source identity server with built-in TOTP and WebAuthn (including passkeys). It is a good fit for engineering-led teams that want SSO and MFA without licence fees and are prepared to run, patch and monitor it. See our Keycloak cost overview.

12. Google Workspace 2-Step Verification

For Google Workspace organisations, built-in 2-Step Verification with Google prompts, passkeys and security keys is the obvious starting point. Admins can enforce it, require security keys for specific groups, and extend it to third-party apps by using Google as the SSO provider.

More options are listed in our MFA software category.

What are the best free multi-factor authentication options?

• What you already pay for: Microsoft 365 security defaults and Google Workspace 2-Step Verification cost nothing extra and cover your most important accounts.
• Built-in MFA in each SaaS app: most business apps support authenticator codes or passkeys. It is free but has to be managed app by app.
• Free editions of commercial tools: Duo offers a free edition for very small teams; check the current user limit.
• Authenticator apps: Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator and similar apps are free for users.
• Open source: Keycloak (and projects such as privacyIDEA) provide MFA without licence fees, in exchange for hosting and maintenance work.

The hidden cost of “free” is management: no central enrolment reports, no consistent policy, and slow offboarding. Once you pass a few dozen users or apps, a central IdP with MFA usually pays for itself in admin time.

MFA for small businesses and SaaS startups on a budget

Budget-conscious teams should separate two very different needs:

1. Protecting your own team. Turn on MFA in Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 first, enforce it for every admin, and add passkeys or two security keys for founders and anyone with production or finance access. Add a password manager for shared credentials; see our best password managers for business. Move to Duo, JumpCloud or a full IdP when the number of apps and staff makes app-by-app settings unmanageable. Our guide to cybersecurity software for small business covers the rest of the stack.
2. Offering MFA to your customers. If you are a SaaS startup, customer MFA belongs in your login system. CIAM platforms such as Auth0, Amazon Cognito, Descope, Stytch and Clerk include MFA and passkeys, typically with free entry tiers priced by monthly active users. See our guide to the best CIAM software.

How much does MFA software cost?

MFA is priced in four main ways:

• Per user per month for workforce MFA and IdPs (Duo, Okta, JumpCloud, OneLogin, Entra ID paid tiers). Advanced features such as device trust, risk-based policies or passwordless often sit in higher tiers.
• Bundled into a suite you already license (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace), which can make the marginal cost near zero for basic MFA.
• Per device for hardware tokens and security keys: a one-time purchase per key, plus replacements.
• Per monthly active user for customer-facing MFA in CIAM platforms, sometimes with separate per-message charges for SMS.

Beyond licences, budget for help desk time during enrolment, account recovery processes, and spare hardware keys.

How to choose MFA software

• Start from your IdP. If you already have Entra ID, Okta or Google Workspace, use their MFA for everything federated and only add a separate tool for the gaps.
• Map what must be protected: SaaS apps, VPN, Windows and Mac logon, SSH and servers, legacy apps, cloud consoles.
• Require phishing-resistant methods (FIDO2, passkeys, certificates) at least for admins, and make sure the tool enforces number matching for push.
• Check policy depth: conditional access by group, device, network and risk; step-up for sensitive apps.
• Plan recovery: how users re-enrol after losing a phone, and how the help desk verifies identity before resetting MFA (a favourite social-engineering target).
• Look at reporting: enrolment status, method mix, failed and suspicious prompts, export to your SIEM.
• Pilot with real users, including frontline and non-desk staff who may not have company phones.

How to roll out MFA without a help desk flood

1. Enforce MFA for all admin and privileged accounts first, with security keys.
2. Announce the change and deadline, with a two-minute enrolment guide.
3. Open enrolment for a pilot group, fix issues, then expand by department.
4. Disable SMS where you can and turn on number matching.
5. Block legacy authentication protocols that bypass MFA.
6. Write and test the account recovery procedure, including identity checks at the help desk.
7. Track enrolment weekly until it reaches every active account.

MFA works best on top of single sign-on, so every app inherits the same strong login. Read What Is Single Sign-On? and our guide to the best SSO software.

Frequently asked questions about MFA software