Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
OnlyKey vs Yubico
Where OnlyKey and Yubico differ
| Compare | OnlyKey ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €49.95 | €35.09Lower |
| Protocols | Fido2, U2f, OtpCovers more | Fido2, U2f |
| Connectors | USB a, USB c | USB a, USB c, NFCCovers more |
| Biometric unlock | No | YesHas it |
| FIPS certified | Not confirmed | No |
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Key differences
- Yubico scores higher overall: 8.8 vs 8.2.
- Price is lower at Yubico: €35.09 vs €49.95.
- Protocols: only OnlyKey offers Otp.
- Connectors: only Yubico offers NFC.
- Biometric unlock: only Yubico.
- Support channels: only OnlyKey offers Community.
- Support channels: only Yubico offers Phone.
- Founded is lower at Yubico: 2007 vs 2016.
Our verdict on each
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.
Yubico
Yubico suits anyone who wants a single small hardware key that works across the main desktop and mobile platforms without a subscription. The Security Key NFC costs €35.09, close to $30 to $35, though FIPS certification is no for this listing and protocol support is listed as fido2 and u2f.
Score breakdown
| Area | OnlyKey | Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.0The Duo costs €49.95 and ranks 14 of 15 on price across the site. | 8.3HigherSingle purchase of €35.09, no subscription or renewal. The site median price sits at €30.69. |
| Offer | 8.6 | 9.1Higher |
| Privacy | 8.0 | 9.3Higher |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | OnlyKey | Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Sweden |
The bill, worked out
A main key and a backup
OnlyKey
€99.90
2 × €49.95
Yubico
€70.18
2 × €35.09
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.
Choosing between them
Pick OnlyKey if protocols matter most.
Pick Yubico if cost, offer, price, connectors, and biometric unlock matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | OnlyKey | Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 204 of 280 | 178 of 280 |
| Hardware security keys | 8 of 18 | 7 of 18 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | OnlyKey | Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Budget |
| Legal entity | CryptoTrust LLC | Yubico AB (publ) |
| Headquarters | United States | Sweden |
| Founded | 2016 | 2007Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Help centre, Email, Phone |
Privacy tools
| Fact | OnlyKey | Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €49.95 | €35.09Lower |
| Free plan | No | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux, Chrome OS | Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Logging policy | Zero knowledge: no customer keys or sensitive data stored by the company | Collects and stores customer and registered-user personal data (name, address, phone, e-mail, payment and order details) and browser data such as IP address and pages visited in server log files; uses Google Analytics; data deleted when the processing purpose is completed; personal data is not sold. |
| Jurisdiction | US | SE |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
Password managers
| Fact | OnlyKey | Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Passkeys | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Encryption | AES-256-GCM, PIN protected with wipe after 10 failed unlock attempts | Not confirmed |
| Features | TOTP | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | OnlyKey | Yubico | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €49.95highest quarter | €35.09above the median | €32 |
Median across 7 listed providers.
Pros and cons
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.
Yubico
Pros
- A single €35.09 purchase, with no subscription or renewal to track
- Works on Windows, macOS and ChromeOS with usb a, usb c and nfc in the same device
- Biometric unlock, so a fingerprint can approve a use of the key
Cons
- FIPS certification is no, so regulated buyers have a gap to close
- Token2 lists keys at €7 to €37, a lower entry point than €35.09, so the cheapest option sits elsewhere
- Protocol support is listed as fido2 and u2f, so a service asking for anything outside that list will not accept the key
Who each suits
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.
Yubico
Who it suits
- People who want a physical key instead of an app-only authenticator
- Teams that issue the same key to staff moving between Windows, macOS and Linux machines
- Anyone signing in from both a laptop and a phone who wants a tap instead of a cable
Who should look elsewhere
- Organisations that must require FIPS certified hardware, as the key is not FIPS certified
- Buyers chasing the lowest price, since Token2 lists keys at €7 to €37
- Shoppers who want a premium-tier key, as the listing is budget
Questions about each
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.
Yubico
How much does a Yubico security key cost?+
The Security Key NFC listing is €35.09, and the range entry price is €35.09. That is a hardware cost you settle once, not a subscription, so there is no renewal price and no monthly bill to budget for later.
Is that price lower than other security key brands?+
There is no renewal to price, because the key is bought outright rather than subscribed to, and a single €35.09 purchase is the whole cost. Yubico ranks at 12 on price among 15 brands, so the key sits in the dearer part of the field.