Updated October 13, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
SoloKeys vs Thetis
Where SoloKeys and Thetis differ
| Compare | SoloKeys ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $35 | $24.99 to $49.99Lower |
| Protocols | FIDO2, WebAuthn, U2F, NFC, PIV, OpenPGP | Fido2, U2f, Otp, Piv |
| Connectors | USB a, USB c | USB a, USB c, NFCCovers more |
| Biometric unlock | No | YesHas it |
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Key differences
- Price is lower at Thetis: $24.99 to $49.99 vs $35.
- Protocols: only SoloKeys offers WebAuthn, NFC, OpenPGP.
- Protocols: only Thetis offers Otp.
- Connectors: only Thetis offers NFC.
- Biometric unlock: only Thetis.
- Support channels: only SoloKeys offers Community.
Our verdict on each
SoloKeys
SoloKeys is known for open source security keys that store passkeys directly on hardware. It suits people who want phishing resistant logins without cloud backups and value hardware plus firmware that anyone can review while staying current through ongoing updates.
Thetis
Thetis suits anyone who wants a hardware key with the full protocol set and a broad connector choice at a budget price, plus the option of keeping a spare. Budget keys run $24.99 to $49.99, which starts at the cheaper end and leaves room for a backup.
Score breakdown
| Area | SoloKeys | Thetis |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.7 |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 9.2 |
| Privacy | 9.1Higher | 8.8 |
Feature by feature
| Protocols | SoloKeys | Thetis |
|---|---|---|
| Fido2 | Yes | Yes |
| U2f | Yes | Yes |
| Otp | No | Yes |
| Piv | Yes | Yes |
| Connectors | SoloKeys | Thetis |
|---|---|---|
| USB a | Yes | Yes |
| USB c | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
Which one suits you
Pick SoloKeys if privacy matter most.
Pick Thetis if price, connectors, and biometric unlock matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | SoloKeys | Thetis |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware security keys | 11 of 18 | 2 of 18 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | SoloKeys | Thetis |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Budget | Budget |
| Legal entity | SoloKeys | Razzo Tech Corporation DBA Thetis.io |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2014 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | SoloKeys | Thetis | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $35highest quarter | $24.99 to $49.99lowest quarter | $30 |
Median across 6 listed providers.
Pros and cons
SoloKeys
Pros
- Hardware and firmware designs stay open for public review and audit
- Passkeys remain on the key instead of uploading to cloud storage
- Firmware updates extend protection without requiring frequent replacement
Cons
- Use depends on websites adopting supported passkey authentication standards
- Contactless approval appears only on the upgraded NFC variant
Thetis
Pros
- The protocol list is fido2, u2f and otp, covering FIDO2 alongside the older U2F, OTP and PIV standards on the same device.
- Biometric unlock is standard, so a fingerprint replaces a typed password on the services that offer it.
- Connectors come in usb a, usb c and nfc, so the same key suits a desktop, a laptop and a phone.
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so a buyer whose key fails on a work laptop reaches a mailbox rather than a voice.
- The top of $24.99 to $49.99 runs above Google Titan Security Key at $30 to $35 and above the SoloKeys Solo 2 at $35, so the range is not the cheapest choice for every reader.
- Token2 lists €7 to €37, which starts under the Thetis range, though that quote sits in a different currency to $24.99 to $49.99.
Who each suits
SoloKeys
Who it suits
- First time users moving from passwords to passkeys
- Security professionals wanting auditable hardware
- Enterprise teams adopting phishing resistant logins
Who should look elsewhere
- People relying on cloud synced credentials across devices
Thetis
Who it suits
- First-time hardware key buyers who want biometric unlock without paying the top of the range.
- People running mixed accounts, since fido2, u2f and otp covers current sign-in and the protocols older services still ask for.
- Households and small teams that need a device to cover a desktop, a laptop and a phone, given usb a, usb c and nfc.
Who should look elsewhere
- SoloKeys Solo 2, if a fixed $35 suits the budget better than the $24.99 to $49.99 range.
- Token2, if a lower starting price matters more than biometric unlock, since €7 to €37 opens below the budget range.
- Google Titan Security Key, if a tighter price band works better, at $30 to $35.
Questions about each
SoloKeys
What does SoloKeys sell?+
SoloKeys sells Solo 2 devices that enable passkey authentication for supported online accounts. The range includes USB A and USB C models plus a variant with contactless approval for supported phones and tablets. A Hacker edition also serves developers who want to experiment with custom firmware and applications.
How do passkeys work with Solo 2?+
Insert the key into a USB port and wait for the service prompt during login. Touch the capacitive sensor on the key to confirm presence and complete authentication. The process replaces typed passwords and one time codes on services that support the standard.
Thetis
How much does a Thetis security key cost?+
Thetis budget keys sit at $24.99 to $49.99, against a group median of €30.69 for the security keys compared here. The range starts at the cheaper end of the field and climbs past the €46.24 that covers most of the group, so the model suits a first key or a pair rather than a top-end purchase.
Do Thetis keys come with a subscription or a renewal price?+
Thetis keys are hardware, so $24.99 to $49.99 is the purchase figure for the budget model rather than a rate with a term attached. Readers who dislike a recurring charge have nothing to cancel and nothing to reprice at renewal, which is the clearest difference between a device like this and a service. The only repeat cost is buying a spare.