Updated October 13, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Yubico vs OnlyKey
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Yubico | OnlyKey ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €35.09Lower | €49.95 |
| Protocols | FIDO2, U2F, Smart card, OTP, OpenPGP 3Covers more | Fido2, U2f, Otp |
| Connectors | USB a, USB c, NFCCovers more | USB a, USB c |
| Biometric unlock | YesHas it | No |
| FIPS certified | No | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Price is lower at Yubico: €35.09 vs €49.95.
- Protocols: only Yubico offers Smart card, OpenPGP 3.
- Connectors: only Yubico offers NFC.
- Biometric unlock: only Yubico.
- Support channels: only Yubico offers Phone.
- Support channels: only OnlyKey offers Community.
- Founded is lower at Yubico: 2007 vs 2016.
Our verdict on each
Yubico
For people who want stronger logins across old and new systems, Yubico packs five authentication protocols into one physical key. Yubico makes keychain sized security keys that add phishing resistant protection on top of passwords for computers, tablets and mobile devices.
OnlyKey
OnlyKey suits buyers who want a hardware key that handles passkeys, TOTP codes and password storage together, with open source firmware and a logging policy that keeps customer secrets off the vendor's side. The Duo costs €49.95 as a device, above Token2 and the Google Titan Security Key.
Score breakdown
| Area | Yubico | OnlyKey |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 8.0The Duo costs €49.95 and ranks 14 of 15 on price across the site. |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 8.6 |
| Privacy | 9.6Higher | 8.0 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Yubico | OnlyKey |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Sweden | United States |
The bill, worked out
A main key and a backup
Yubico
€70.18
2 × €35.09
OnlyKey
€99.90
2 × €49.95
Yubico costs €29.72 less.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Yubico | OnlyKey |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware security keys | 14 of 18 | 8 of 18 |
Also worth a look
Token2 has price at €7 to €37, against €35.09 for Yubico and €49.95 for OnlyKey.
Token2 reviewWhat we checked
Yubico
- yubico.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
OnlyKey
- onlykey.io: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Yubico | OnlyKey |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Budget | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Yubico AB (publ) | CryptoTrust LLC |
| Headquarters | Sweden | United States |
| Founded | 2007Lower | 2016 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Help centre, Community |
Privacy tools
| Fact | Yubico | OnlyKey |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | €49.95 |
| Free plan | Not confirmed | No |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux, Chrome OS |
| Logging policy | Not confirmed | Zero knowledge: no customer keys or sensitive data stored by the company |
| Jurisdiction | SE | US |
| Open source | Not confirmed | Yes |
Password managers
| Fact | Yubico | OnlyKey |
|---|---|---|
| Passkeys | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Encryption | Not confirmed | AES-256-GCM, PIN protected with wipe after 10 failed unlock attempts |
| Features | Not confirmed | TOTP |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Yubico | OnlyKey | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €35.09above the median | €49.95highest quarter | €32 |
Median across 7 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Yubico
Pros
- Supports FIDO2, U2F, smart card, OTP and OpenPGP in one key
- Plugs into desktops and mobile through USB-A, USB-C, NFC and Lightning
- Combines hardware with PIN or biometric for high assurance checks
Cons
- Requires carrying and plugging in a physical key every time
- Works alongside passwords rather than replacing them everywhere
OnlyKey
Pros
- Open source firmware, paired with a logging policy in which the company states it holds no customer keys or sensitive data.
- The Duo carries usb a and usb c in the same unit, so machines with either port are covered by the same purchase.
- It speaks fido2, u2f and otp and also handles totp codes, so the same key covers security keys, authenticator codes and passwords.
Cons
- Biometric unlock is no, which leaves the PIN and its wipe rule carrying the security of the device.
- The free plan is no, so the only route to the features is buying hardware at €49.95.
- The price runs above Token2 at €7 to €37 and the Google Titan Security Key at $30 to $35.
Who each suits
Yubico
Who it suits
- People juggling desktop and mobile logins
- Workers in shared or mobile restricted settings
- Organizations needing higher assurance identity checks
Who should look elsewhere
- People who want software only authentication
OnlyKey
Who it suits
- People who want a physical key for passkeys and authenticator codes and who treat open source firmware as a requirement rather than a bonus.
- Mixed-port desks that need USB-C and USB-A covered by usb a and usb c in a single purchase.
- Buyers who would rather own the key outright and can accept a PIN instead of biometric unlock.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for the tightest budget, since Token2 runs €7 to €37 against OnlyKey at €49.95.
- Not for people who expect to pick up a phone, because OnlyKey lists email, help centre and community as its support routes.
Questions about each
Yubico
What does Yubico sell?+
Yubico offers physical security keys that attach to a keychain and add a stronger second factor on top of passwords. The keys help protect online accounts against phishing attacks during everyday logins.
Which authentication protocols does it support?+
The key supports FIDO2, U2F, smart card, OTP and OpenPGP 3 in one device. That range covers legacy and modern environments, so one key can handle passwordless, strong two factor and multifactor logins.
OnlyKey
What does an OnlyKey cost, and what do rivals charge?+
The Duo is priced at €49.95, and entry prices start at €49.95. The figure buys the hardware, so the outlay at entry is the outlay later on, and the device price is the only price on offer here. Cheaper rivals exist: Token2 runs €7 to €37 and the Google Titan Security Key runs $30 to $35.
Which protocols and passkey methods does it support?+
The protocol list is fido2, u2f and otp, and passkeys are supported as well. That lets the same device act as a passkey authenticator, a security key for a login prompt and an OTP token for codes. Password storage sits on the key too, so a login, a code and a saved credential are handled by the same purchase rather than by separate tools.