Okta vs Duo Security -- Identity & Access Management Compared
Duo Security and Okta approach identity from different angles. Duo is MFA-first, providing the easiest path to deploying multi-factor authentication across an organization, particularly for VPNs, legacy applications, and remote access. Okta is a full IAM platform that includes MFA as one component of a comprehensive identity solution. Duo is the right choice when MFA is the primary need; Okta is the right choice when you need a complete identity platform.
Choose Duo Security if your primary objective is fast, user-friendly MFA deployment especially for VPNs and legacy applications, or if Cisco networking integration is valuable. Choose Okta if you need a comprehensive identity platform that includes SSO, lifecycle management, governance, and customer identity alongside MFA.
| Feature | Duo Security | Okta |
|---|---|---|
| MFA User Experience | Duo Push — industry-leading ease of use | Okta Verify — full-featured but slightly more complex |
| SSO Breadth | Basic SSO with growing app catalog | 7,000+ pre-built SSO integrations |
| VPN MFA | Best-in-class VPN and remote access MFA | VPN MFA supported via RADIUS integration |
| Device Trust | Deep device health checks and trusted endpoints | Device trust signals with partner integrations |
| Identity Lifecycle | Minimal — no provisioning or lifecycle management | Full lifecycle management with SCIM provisioning |
| Pricing | Free (10 users) / Essentials $3/user/month | From $2/user/month, MFA add-on increases cost |
| Deployment Speed | Fastest MFA deployment in the industry | Full IAM deployment requires more planning |
| Zero Trust Scope | MFA + device trust + Cisco network integration | Full identity-centric zero trust with governance |
Common questions about choosing between Okta and Duo Security.
Duo Security and Okta approach identity from different angles. Duo is MFA-first, providing the easiest path to deploying multi-factor authentication across an organization, particularly for VPNs, legacy applications, and remote access. Okta is a full IAM platform that includes MFA as one component of a comprehensive identity solution. Duo is the right choice when MFA is the primary need; Okta is the right choice when you need a complete identity platform.
Choose Duo Security if your primary objective is fast, user-friendly MFA deployment especially for VPNs and legacy applications, or if Cisco networking integration is valuable. Choose Okta if you need a comprehensive identity platform that includes SSO, lifecycle management, governance, and customer identity alongside MFA.
Duo Security pricing: Free (up to 10 users) / Essentials $3/user/month / Advantage $6/user/month / Premier $9/user/month. Okta pricing: Starts at $2/user/month (SSO) / Workforce Identity Cloud custom pricing. Duo Security's pricing model is per-user monthly subscription with free tier, while Okta uses per-user monthly subscription pricing.
Yes, you can migrate from Okta to Duo Security. The migration process depends on your specific setup and the features you use. Both platforms offer APIs that can facilitate automated migration. Consider running both tools in parallel during the transition to ensure zero downtime.
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