Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
SoloKeys Solo 2 vs Yubico
What sets them apart
| Compare | SoloKeys Solo 2 ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $35 | €35.09 |
| Protocols | Fido2, U2f, PivCovers 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
- Protocols: only SoloKeys Solo 2 offers Piv.
- Connectors: only Yubico offers NFC.
- Biometric unlock: only Yubico.
- Support channels: only SoloKeys Solo 2 offers Community.
- Support channels: only Yubico offers Phone.
Our verdict on each
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.
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 | SoloKeys Solo 2 | Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0HigherEntry price $35 sits above the €30.69 site median, and there is no free plan to try first. | 8.3Single purchase of €35.09, no subscription or renewal. The site median price sits at €30.69. |
| Offer | 8.6 | 9.1Higher |
| Privacy | Not confirmed | 9.3 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | SoloKeys Solo 2 | Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 174 of 280 | 178 of 280 |
| Hardware security keys | 6 of 18 | 7 of 18 |
Side by side, item by item
| Protocols | SoloKeys Solo 2 | Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Fido2 | Yes | Yes |
| U2f | Yes | Yes |
| Piv | Yes | No |
| Connectors | SoloKeys Solo 2 | Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| USB a | Yes | Yes |
| USB c | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
Sources behind this comparison
SoloKeys Solo 2
- solokeys.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Yubico
- yubico.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | SoloKeys Solo 2 | Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Budget | Budget |
| Legal entity | SoloKeys | Yubico AB (publ) |
| Headquarters | United States | Sweden |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2007 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Help centre, Email, Phone |
Privacy tools
| Fact | SoloKeys Solo 2 | Yubico |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $35 | €35.09 |
| Free plan | No | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, ChromeOS, iOS, XBSDCovers more | Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Logging policy | 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. | 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 |
Pros and cons
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.