Duo Free
$0
month
Supports up to 10 users with core multi-factor authentication and Duo Mobile authentication.
Check current pricing →C
Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo is a cloud identity security platform providing MFA, SSO, passwordless authentication, device trust, and adaptive access controls.
Editorial overview
Aggregated Overview
Cisco Duo combines MFA, phishing-resistant authentication, SSO, passwordless access, device trust, adaptive policies, identity analytics, and remote access features. Public G2 and TrustRadius ratings indicate strong user sentiment, while pricing remains competitive for smaller deployments.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
Cisco Duo Decision Snapshot
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Platforms
Android, API, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS
TechZella assessment
8.6/10
Overview
Cisco Duo is a cloud-delivered identity security platform for verifying users, devices, and application access. Its core capabilities include multi-factor authentication, phishing-resistant authentication, single sign-on, passwordless access, device trust, and adaptive access policies.
Duo began in 2010 as Duo Security, founded by Dug Song and Jon Oberheide. Cisco acquired the company in 2018. The product supports small businesses, enterprises, government organizations, and regulated industries.
Cisco Duo Pros & Cons
Pros
- Broad MFA coverage, including phishing-resistant methods and passkeys.
- Strong integration coverage for cloud applications, VPNs, RADIUS, LDAP, SAML, and OIDC.
- Free plan supports organizations with up to 10 users.
- Combines authentication, SSO, device trust, and adaptive access controls.
- Public review platforms report strong overall user sentiment.
Cons
- Advanced risk, identity intelligence, and device trust features require higher-priced editions.
- Some deployments require local proxy services or endpoint software.
- Large organizations may need sales-assisted purchasing and deployment planning.
- Per-user pricing can become significant for large workforces.
- Feature availability varies by edition and deployment type.
Cisco Duo Pricing & Plans
Duo Essentials
$3 per user
month
Adds Duo Directory, phishing-resistant MFA, passwordless authentication, SSO, Trusted Endpoints, and unlimited applications.
Check current pricing →Duo Advantage
$6 per user
month
Adds Cisco Identity Intelligence, Duo Passport, session theft protection, Active Directory Defense, and risk-based authentication.
Check current pricing →Duo Premier
$9 per user
month
Adds VPN-less remote access to private resources and complete device trust with endpoint protection checks.
Check current pricing →Free trial
30 days
trial
Cisco advertises a 30-day trial for evaluating Duo subscriptions.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
Cisco Duo Competitors & Alternatives
Compare similar products directly, then see which alternatives may make more sense when your requirements differ.
Direct competitors
These products address broadly similar requirements. The descriptions focus on documented reasons a buyer might compare them with Cisco Duo.
Cisco Duo Features
Authentication
- Multi-factor authentication
- Duo Push
- Passcodes
- Security keys and passkeys
- Phishing-resistant MFA
- Passwordless authentication
- Verified Duo Push
Access Management
- Single sign-on
- SAML 2.0 identity provider
- OpenID Connect provider
- Duo Directory
- Adaptive access policies
- Risk-based authentication
- Remote access without a VPN
Device Security
- Trusted Endpoints
- Device health checks
- Duo Mobile device verification
- Duo Desktop posture assessment
- Operating-system policies
- Endpoint protection verification
Integrations
- Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Entra integrations
- Google Workspace
- Amazon Web Services
- Salesforce
- Workday
- VPN and RADIUS systems
- LDAP services
- SAML and OIDC applications
- Automated provisioning and SCIM support
APIs and Administration
- Duo Auth API
- Duo Admin API
- Duo OIDC Auth API
- Duo SDK resources
- User and device administration
- Authentication reporting
- Policy management
Cisco Duo Specifications
| Deployment model | Cloud-delivered SaaS |
|---|---|
| Product type | Identity security and access management software |
| Free plan | Up to 10 users |
| Free trial | 30 days |
| Paid pricing | $3, $6, or $9 per user/month |
| Authentication protocols | SAML 2.0, OpenID Connect, RADIUS, LDAP, SCIM |
| API availability | Auth API, Admin API, OIDC Auth API, SDK resources |
| Supported endpoint platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android, iOS, Windows Server |
| SSO availability | Essentials, Advantage, and Premier commercial plans |
| Headquarters | San Jose, California, United States |
Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
8.6/10Moderate confidence
Cisco Duo combines MFA, phishing-resistant authentication, SSO, passwordless access, device trust, adaptive policies, identity analytics, and remote access features. Public G2 and TrustRadius ratings indicate strong user sentiment, while pricing remains competitive for smaller deployments.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
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FAQ
Does Cisco Duo have a free plan?
Yes. Duo Free supports up to 10 users and provides core MFA capabilities.
Does Cisco Duo offer a free trial?
Yes. Cisco advertises a 30-day free trial for Duo subscriptions.
What platforms does Duo support?
Duo protects browser-based applications and supports Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android, iOS, and Windows Server across relevant clients and policies.
Does Duo provide an API?
Yes. Cisco documents Auth API, Admin API, OIDC Auth API, SDK resources, and other integration interfaces.
What does Duo integrate with?
Duo integrates with cloud applications, identity providers, VPNs, RADIUS and LDAP services, web applications, remote access systems, Microsoft environments, and many SAML or OIDC applications.
Is Duo an identity provider?
Duo Single Sign-On can operate as a SAML 2.0 identity provider and an OpenID Connect provider for supported applications.