Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Google vs SoloKeys Solo 2
Where Google and SoloKeys Solo 2 differ
| Compare |  Google | SoloKeys Solo 2 ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Platforms | Android, Chrome, Web | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, ChromeOS, iOS, XBSD |
| Protocols | Fido2, U2f | Fido2, U2f, PivCovers more |
| Logging policy | Collects and analyses user content to operate and improve services, including for spam and malware filtering and to personalise results, content and ads | Credentials and passkeys are stored only on the device; no credential, FIDO2 private key, PIN or biometric data is ever collected, and no authentication data is used for analytics. |
| Jurisdiction | IE | US |
| Price from | Not confirmed | $35 |
| Open source | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Privacy tool type | Browser, Search | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Google scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.8.
- Free plan: only Google.
- Platforms: only Google offers Chrome, Web.
- Platforms: only SoloKeys Solo 2 offers Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- Protocols: only SoloKeys Solo 2 offers Piv.
- Support channels: only SoloKeys Solo 2 offers Email.
- Pricing model: only Google offers Free.
- Pricing model: only SoloKeys Solo 2 offers Budget.
Our verdict on each
Google suits readers already living in Chrome and Android who want passwords and passkeys without paying, since a free plan is included and the paid Google One plan runs at €2.09.
SoloKeys Solo 2
The SoloKeys Solo is an open source hardware security key for readers who want an inspectable budget token at a single device price. You pay $35 for the key, and the open source build plus PIV support sets it apart from closed rivals such as the Google Titan Security Key.
Score breakdown
| Area | SoloKeys Solo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Higher | 9.0Entry price $35 sits above the €30.69 site median, and there is no free plan to try first. |
| Offer | 8.5 | 8.6Higher |
| Privacy | 9.0 | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | SoloKeys Solo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 145 of 280 | 174 of 280 |
| Hardware security keys | 5 of 18 | 6 of 18 |
Licences and countries
| Country | SoloKeys Solo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
Sources behind this comparison
- policies.google.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- support.google.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- about.google: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- passwords.google.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- safety.google: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
SoloKeys Solo 2
- solokeys.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | SoloKeys Solo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Budget |
| Legal entity | Google Ireland Limited | SoloKeys |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1998 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Encrypted storage
| Fact | SoloKeys Solo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 15 | Not confirmed |
| Price per TB per year | $50 | Not confirmed |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | No | Not confirmed |
Security keys
| Fact | SoloKeys Solo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not confirmed | $35 |
| Connectors | USB a, USB c, NFCCovers more | USB a, USB c |
| Biometric unlock | Not confirmed | No |
Identity protection
| Fact | SoloKeys Solo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | €2.09 | Not confirmed |
| Free trial length | 7 days | Not confirmed |
Parental controls
| Fact | SoloKeys Solo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Screen time, Web filter | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | SoloKeys Solo 2 | Median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | $35highest quarter | $8 |
Median across 82 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A free plan is included, so readers can start on stored credentials and passkeys without a subscription.
- Passkeys are supported, and security keys speak fido2 and u2f across usb a, usb c and nfc for anyone who prefers a physical key.
- The paid Google One plan sits at €2.09, under the €7.89 monthly level across the brands tracked.
Cons
- Encryption that only the account holder can read is not offered, so readers who want the vault held outside provider control have to accept a different arrangement.
- The provider gathers and studies user content in order to run the services and make them better, including filtering spam and malware and personalising results, content and ads.
- Support runs on help centre and community, against 82.2% of the brands tracked offering email, so reaching a person takes more effort.
SoloKeys Solo 2
Pros
- Open source is a yes, so the hardware design and firmware of the Solo can be reviewed by anyone.
- Protocol support covers fido2, u2f and piv, so the same token handles modern web sign-in, legacy sites and PIV workplace logins.
- Connectors are usb a and usb c, covering the port shapes found on current desktops and laptops.
Cons
- Biometric unlock is a no, so unlocking rests on a PIN typed on the key rather than a fingerprint check.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community, with no phone line or live chat listed for a stuck setup.
- There is no free plan, and at $35 the Solo sits in the budget class, so a light user still pays the full device price.
Who each suits
Who it suits
- Readers already signed in to a Google account who would rather keep passwords, files and sign-in in the same place.
- Android and Chrome users who would rather not fund a subscription for a password vault.
- Households that want a single subscription to carry storage and screen time and web filter alongside their credentials.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Inc. users, since a product built around iOS, iPadOS and macOS matches their devices more closely than Android, Chrome and Web.
- Total Password users who would rather start on a paid tier, since Total Password has no free plan where Google has one.
- ESET Brasil users who need a product listed across Windows, Windows Server and macOS for desktop and server machines.
SoloKeys Solo 2
Who it suits
- Readers who want open source hardware they can inspect before buying.
- People who want the same key on desktop and phone, given support for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Anyone happy to unlock with a PIN instead of a fingerprint, since biometric unlock is a no.
Who should look elsewhere
- Google Titan Security Key, if you want a fingerprint unlock, because biometric unlock is a no here.
- Thetis, if the $24.99 to $49.99 range fits your budget better for a spare key at a desk.
- Token2, if you want to weigh a lower entry point, where prices run €7 to €37.
Country by country
| Country | SoloKeys Solo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
How much does Google's password manager cost?+
Google's password manager has a free plan, so the core service can be used at no cost. The paid tier is bundled into the Google One plan at €2.09, and that single figure is what you weigh at entry and at renewal, with no introductory headline to lean on. Storage on the free account is 15, and heavier use is priced at $50 per year.
What do you get without paying?+
A free plan is included, so the password manager is not a locked preview but a working version for stored logins and passkeys. Readers who want to look at the paid bundle first can take a free trial of 7 days, which is a short look rather than a long commitment. Staying on the free plan keeps the cost at nothing for anyone who treats a password manager as a utility.
SoloKeys Solo 2
How much does the SoloKeys Solo cost?+
The Solo is a hardware key sold at $35, and the entry price is listed as $35. That figure covers the device itself, so there is no subscription to renew and no second bill later. Budget for the key, then buy a spare if you want a token waiting at another desk.
Is there a free version or trial of the SoloKeys Solo?+
There is no free plan, so a key has to be bought to get started. The Solo is listed as budget here, which is the budget class rather than a premium tier. It is a straightforward token rather than a service, so there is nothing to remember or cancel later either.