Cisco Duo

duo.com
Identity & Access Management
Weekend Project

Complete Identity Security & MFA Solutions

How to Replace Cisco Duo

Overview

Cisco Duo is a security-first Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution that provides phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, and identity intelligence. It enables organizations to secure access across all applications and devices while delivering a seamless user experience without friction or fatigue.

Features

22 features across 10 categories

AI & Automation(1)

AI AssistantAI

Investigate and remediate user access issues and find configuration and administration guidance with AI assistance

Also in: Ivanti, Ironclad, Chili Piper

Authentication(5)

Complete Passwordless Authentication

Authenticate securely and eliminate passwords entirely using Duo Mobile and FIDO2 standards for a completely passwordless login experience

Duo PassportPremium

Improve productivity without compromising security by making the first login the only login, securely reducing frustrating extra authentications

Free Authenticator App

Built-in authenticator application available free to all users for managing MFA tokens

Phishing-resistant MFA

Verify users and devices behind the scene at every access attempt to stop attackers in their tracks with end-to-end phishing resistance

Single Sign-On (SSO)

Enable users to securely log in to multiple applications with one set of credentials, reducing the need to manage multiple passwords

Also in: LastPass, Dashlane, 1Password

Compliance & Posture(1)

Identity Security Posture Management (ISPM)Premium

Identify gaps, vulnerabilities, and inconsistencies in identity posture and receive impact and remediation recommendations

Device Management(5)

Complete Device TrustPremium

Comprehensive device trust with endpoint protection checks for complete Zero Trust access verification

Device Health CheckPremium

Check device security posture before granting access and provide visibility into security health of devices trying to gain access

Device Trust

Identify at-risk devices and prevent unauthorized access by verifying device security posture before granting access

Security Agent VerificationPremium

Limit device access to applications based on presence of an endpoint protection product

Trusted Endpoints

Check if device is registered or managed before allowing access to applications and resources

Directory Management(1)

Duo Directory

Utilize Duo as the primary source of truth for user directory, authorization, and attribute management, built from the ground up to thwart identity attacks

Integration(2)

Seamless Integrations

Easy integration with existing identity sources and applications including ADFS and Azure

Unlimited Applications

Secure access to any number of applications, whether cloud-based, on-premises, or custom built

Also in: monday.com, Notion, Airtable

Remote Access(2)

Remote AccessPremium

Securely access private resources without a VPN using Duo Network Gateway for seamless remote work access

VPN-less Remote AccessPremium

Provide complete VPN-less remote access to private resources for improved security and user experience

Reporting & Analytics(1)

Cross-identity Visibility and AnalyticsAIPremium

Gain unified visibility and AI-driven analytics across diverse identity sources for comprehensive threat awareness

Also in: LastPass, Chili Piper, Bitwarden

Threat Detection(3)

Identity IntelligenceAIPremium

Cisco Identity Intelligence gives you the power to know who's logging in, what's risky, and what to do next with unified visibility and AI-driven analytics

Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR)AIPremium

Detect, analyze, and respond to identity-based threats, both proactively and reactively across your entire identity infrastructure

Risk-Based AuthenticationAIPremium

Dynamically adjust authentication requirements in real time based on risk signals and threat indicators

Threat Protection(1)

Session Theft ProtectionPremium

Mitigate the risk of session hijacking and token theft by significantly reducing or eliminating the use of stealable cookies

Pricing

Duo Free

Free
  • Strong MFA
  • Seamless integrations
  • Free authenticator app
  • Up to 10 users

Duo Essentials

$3/mo per user
  • Everything in Free
  • Duo Directory
  • Phishing-resistant MFA
  • Complete passwordless authentication
  • Single sign-on
  • Trusted Endpoints
  • Unlimited applications

Duo Advantage

Popular
$6/mo per user
  • Everything in Essentials
  • Cisco Identity Intelligence
  • Cross-identity visibility
  • ISPM
  • ITDR
  • Duo Passport
  • Session theft protection
  • Device health checks
  • Risk-Based Authentication

Duo Premier

$9/mo per user
  • Everything in Advantage
  • Comprehensive Zero Trust access
  • VPN-less remote access to private resources
  • Complete device trust with endpoint protection check

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying Cisco Duo

Monthly$3/mo
Yearly$36/yr
5-Year Total$180

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~2 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyVery Easy

Total Cost Comparison

1 Year
SaaS
$36
DIY
$240
3 Years
SaaS
$108
DIY
$720
5 Years
SaaS
$180
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 22 features at very easy complexity.

Build vs Buy

Should you build a Cisco Duo alternative or buy the subscription? Estimate based on 22 features.

Buy Cisco Duo

Better Value
Monthly cost$30/mo
3-year total$1,080
Time to deployDays

Build Your Own

Development cost$12,000
Maintenance$180/mo
3-year total$18,480
Dev time~1 months

Buying Cisco Duo saves ~$17,400 over 3 years vs building.

Estimates based on 22 features and a BuildScore of 5/5. Actual costs vary.

Integrations

2 known integrations

ADFSAzure