Microsoft Entra ID vs Yubico YubiKey comparison

Microsoft and Yubico are both solutions in the Authentication Systems category. Microsoft is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.7, while Yubico is ranked #5 with an average rating of 9.0. Microsoft holds a 15.7% mindshare in AS, compared to Yubico’s 9.0% mindshare. Additionally, 95% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Yubico users who would recommend it.

Microsoft Entra ID

Read 234 Microsoft Entra ID reviews

8,927 Views
4,600 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Yubico YubiKey

Read 5 Yubico YubiKey reviews

4,246 Views
2,885 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Microsoft Entra ID

Yubico YubiKey

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 11, 2024

Yubico YubiKey and Microsoft Entra ID compete in the physical authentication and integrated security solutions category. Microsoft Entra ID seems to have the upper hand due to its comprehensive integration with Microsoft's services.

What features are offered by Yubico YubiKey in comparison to Microsoft Entra ID?

Yubico YubiKey offers strong physical authentication, multi-protocol support, and robust security features. Microsoft Entra ID provides comprehensive integration with Microsoft services, advanced security features, and a feature-rich solution suitable for enterprises.

What areas of improvement can be found in Yubico YubiKey in comparison to Microsoft Entra ID?

Yubico YubiKey needs a simplified setup process, better compatibility, and improved documentation. Microsoft Entra ID requires enhanced performance, better documentation, and improved usability. Yubico YubiKey's compatibility issues are highlighted more frequently.

How is the ease of deployment and customer service of Yubico YubiKey in comparison to Microsoft Entra ID?

Yubico YubiKey is easier to deploy due to its plug-and-play nature but has mixed reviews in customer service. Microsoft Entra ID has a more complex deployment process but offers reliable customer support. Ease of deployment favors Yubico YubiKey, whereas Microsoft Entra ID's customer support is more consistent.

What setup costs and ROI can be seen with Yubico YubiKey in comparison to Microsoft Entra ID?

Yubico YubiKey is noted for its affordable setup cost and quick return on investment. Microsoft Entra ID is more expensive but justifies its price with comprehensive security features. Yubico YubiKey wins on cost-efficiency, while Microsoft Entra ID provides extensive capabilities that justify its cost.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Entra ID vs. Yubico YubiKey Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Entra ID vs. Yubico YubiKey

June 2025

Download the complete report

Helped 856,873 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Entra ID

Ranking in Authentication Systems

1st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

234

Ranking in other categories

Single Sign-On (SSO) (1st), Identity Management (IM) (2nd), Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) (1st), Access Management (1st), Microsoft Security Suite (2nd)

Yubico YubiKey

Ranking in Authentication Systems

5th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Passwordless Authentication (2nd), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) (3rd)

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Authentication Systems category, the mindshare of Microsoft Entra ID is 15.7%, down from 20.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Yubico YubiKey is 9.0%, down from 10.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Authentication Systems

Featured Reviews

Bahram Piri

Chief Executive Officer & Founder at IDmelon Technologies

Security focus and seamless implementation increase platform productivity

Microsoft Entra ID can be improved in many ways, and there's a big wish list.If we're focusing on security, something that I definitely expect is improvement in the UI and UX for frontline workers. This is important, especially for non-tech savvy individuals. It is something Microsoft Entra ID could do to improve for a wider audience. It's important to focus on the frontline workers since they are non-tech savvy individuals. They are not like those back-office engineering C-level employees who are constantly dealing with computers, and we need to build a specific user experience and user interface for them to handle this stuff. That's something I expect Microsoft to focus on more for Microsoft Entra ID.

Read full review

OmerKhan1

IT Specialist at Friendly Solutions Corp

A stable solution that is efficient, user-friendly, and easy to use

It would be better if the product can come up with a serial number for the keys. It would be nice if they had a numbering system as a configuration identity that would help the IT and technical teams to identify the keys because they look all the same. It would be more like putting a tag on them.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Privileged Identity Management and Privileged Identity Management make controlling access considerably easier and ensure that authorized access is achieved."

"The most valuable feature is the authentication platform."

"Privileged Identity Management (PIM), managed identities, dynamic groups, and extension and security attributes are all great features."

"The main valuable feature is the integration into a single console, which includes authentication service and endpoint security."

"The features of Microsoft Entra ID that I find most valuable include the ability to define service principles and assign permissions."

"We do not have to deploy lots of machines all over the place to run things as a service, which is how we like to deploy things, just as a service."

"It is great for mom-and-pop shops or small businesses that are truly coming into the enterprise ecosystem and that have not come from a legacy environment."

"This solution serves as the basis to understand the MS SSO and MFA capabilities."

More Microsoft Entra ID pros

"The most valuable feature of Yubico YubiKey is security."

"It's small and lightweight. Like a phone, it doesn't run out of battery. It also doesn't have to be unlocked. It doesn't break. Moreover, they're very durable and it's very convenient."

"Yubico YubiKey is highly valued for its anti-phishing feature, which prevents phishing of OTPs that are normally obtained through phones."

"YubiKey is a hardware security device with advanced security features."

"The solution is simple to use and we have installed it in our clients' endpoints. The tool is just plug-and-play for the end user. The end user can just put in the key to the security computer and log in without any hassle. The solution is efficient, user-friendly, and easy to use."

Cons

"We have experienced some downtime because of the use of the data centers."

"ESAE management, especially the admin tools, could be improved. It should be built in by the vendor, and I shouldn't have to add patches or updates to connect to my domain directly. It should be added by default. The price could be better."

"The cost of licensing always has room for improvement."

"I want to see more features to improve security, such as integrated user behavior analysis."

"The documentation, and the way that people are notified of updates, are things that can be improved. I'm a big fan of Microsoft products but the way they document is not that great."

"Our organization's approach to defending against token theft and nation-state attacks has not changed significantly since implementing Microsoft Entra ID, as we have a big concern about token theft yet know we cannot do anything."

"When it comes to Azure, creating certain things or getting different resources isn't very clear. You need a certain level of knowledge of the system. It could be a little bit more friendly so that some of the things can be done easily, but after everything is created, it's easy to use."

"Microsoft services and most familiar third-party applications are currently supported, but we can't find many other platforms that integrate with Office 365 or Azure Active Directory. Microsoft should develop connectors for different applications and collaborate more with other vendors to cover a broader range of applications."

More Microsoft Entra ID cons

"Currently, an area where the product lacks is in addressing service needs."

"It's a hardware device, so it isn't cost-effective to use for all your accounts. You might have a hard time getting budget approval. It's better to take a strategic approach and use it only for critical accounts. You can use other forms of authentication for the rest."

"Yubico YubiKey could be improved by allowing for centralized administration, which is not currently available in India."

"It would be better if the product can come up with a serial number for the keys. It would be nice if they had a numbering system as a configuration identity that would help the IT and technical teams to identify the keys because they look all the same. It would be more like putting a tag on them."

"Yubico YubiKey is inconvient. No one likes the idea of having to put a USB device into the system, having to remember to take it out, and having passwords. It may be very good for security but it is not great for people to use."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It comes free with the Microsoft account. We have a yearly agreement, and all products are covered under it."

"The cost is billed on a per-user licensing basis."

"Everything needs to be considered for the requirements and if it is within the budget, then you can come up with a solution, whether it is SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS."

"There are add-on components and services, such as identity services, that we have to add to our Azure subscription. Only then can I actually say it's on par with the on-prem server edition. Why should I pay for a component? It should be included in my subscription."

"Entra's pricing is somewhat higher compared to AWS."

"Our customers are looking for advanced features and processes for it to be cost-effective for their organizations. They see it as an overpriced product. They are enjoying using Azure Active Directory, but they are looking for better prices."

"I don't pay for it. Going by how I feel, I see the prices for any MFA solution going down because the more different alternatives there are, the cheaper things should be. Microsoft Authenticator app would be the preferred application, but there are too many ways to implement MFA. I don't know how much it cost, but the price should go down."

"We got a good deal. If you get rid of all the products providing features that Azure Suite can provide, then it makes sense cost-wise."

More Microsoft Entra ID pricing and cost advice

"We paid 100 bucks for one Yubikey."

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Authentication Systems solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

21%

Computer Software Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

13%

Government

12%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

How does Duo Security compare with Microsoft Authenticator?

We switched to Duo Security for identity verification. We’d been using a competitor but got the chance to evaluate Duo for 30 days, and we could not be happier. Duo Security is easy to configure a...

See all answers

What do you like most about Azure Active Directory?

It is very simple. The Active Directory functions are very easy for us. Its integration with anything is very easy. We can easily do third-party multifactor authentication.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Azure Active Directory?

Our experience with the pricing, setup costs, and licensing of Microsoft Entra ID involves leveraging Microsoft 365 E5 licensing, so it's included. Being included in Microsoft licensing makes it mu...

See all answers

What do you like most about Yubico YubiKey?

The solution is simple to use and we have installed it in our clients' endpoints. The tool is just plug-and-play for the end user. The end user can just put in the key to the security computer and ...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Yubico YubiKey?

Yubico YubiKey could be improved by allowing for centralized administration, which is not currently available in India. In India, administrators typically have control over all security devices, bu...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Yubico YubiKey?

I primarily use Yubico YubiKey ( /products/yubico-yubikey-reviews ) for authentication in environments such as Active Directory, cloud administration, trading room, and dealing room where phones ar...

See all answers

Comparisons

Google Cloud Identity vs Microsoft Entra ID

Compared 11% of the time

Microsoft Intune vs Microsoft Entra ID

Compared 10% of the time

Okta Workforce Identity vs Microsoft Entra ID

Compared 7% of the time

Auth0 vs Microsoft Entra ID

Compared 5% of the time

Amazon Cognito vs Microsoft Entra ID

Compared 5% of the time

More Microsoft Entra ID Competitors

RSA SecurID vs Yubico YubiKey

Compared 43% of the time

Fortinet FortiToken vs Yubico YubiKey

Compared 11% of the time

Cisco Duo vs Yubico YubiKey

Compared 9% of the time

Thales Authenticators vs Yubico YubiKey

Compared 8% of the time

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator vs Yubico YubiKey

Compared 5% of the time

More Yubico YubiKey Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Entra ID

May 2025

Download Microsoft Entra ID product report

Buyer's Guide

Authentication Systems

June 2025

Download Yubico YubiKey product report

Also Known As

Azure AD, Azure Active Directory, Azure Active Directory, Microsoft Authenticator

YubiKey

Interactive Demo

Microsoft

Demo not available

Yubico

Overview

Microsoft Entra ID is used for extending on-premises Active Directory to the cloud, managing application access, enabling multi-factor authentication, and single sign-on. It facilitates policy enforcement and secure access, ensuring centralized identity management across cloud and on-premises resources.

Organizations utilize Microsoft Entra ID for robust user and group management, identity synchronization, and conditional access. Its seamless integration with third-party apps, scalability, and support for remote work make it a preferred choice. The admin center streamlines identity and access tasks, enhancing efficiency and security with features like privileged identity management and audit logs.

What are the key features of Microsoft Entra ID?

Single Sign-On: Simplifies user access to multiple applications with one login.
Multifactor Authentication: Enhances security by requiring additional verification.
Conditional Access: Establishes policies that determine how users' access cloud apps.
Integration: Easily integrates with various third-party applications.
User Identity Protection: Safeguards user identities from threats.
Privileged Identity Management: Manages elevated access to sensitive resources.
Audit Logs: Provides thorough activity logs for oversight and compliance.

What benefits should users look for in Microsoft Entra ID reviews?

Enhanced Security: Offers strong multifactor authentication and identity protection.
Administrative Efficiency: Simplifies identity and access management tasks.
Scalability: Supports growing user bases and remote work environments.
Integration Capabilities: Compatible with numerous third-party applications.
User-Friendly Interface: Makes managing user identities straightforward.

Microsoft Entra ID implementation varies across industries. Tech firms leverage it for secure, scalable access management, while healthcare organizations utilize its identity protection features to safeguard patient data. Educational institutions adopt Entra ID for streamlined user management and policy enforcement, ensuring secure access for students and staff across on-premises and cloud resources.

Microsoft

The YubiKey works with hundreds of enterprise, developer and consumer applications, out-of-the-box and with no client software. Combined with leading password managers, social login and enterprise single sign on systems the YubiKey enables secure access to millions of online services.

Yubico

Sample Customers

Microsoft Entre ID is trusted by companies of all sizes and industries including Walmart, Zscaler, Uniper, Amtrak, monday.com, and more.

Google Inc., Salesforce, Novartis, Facebook, GitHub, CERN, Duke University, Code Enigma, Luther Burbank High School, ZorgSaam, Agfa, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Dyson Ltd, Portugal Telecom, Boral, Canonical Ltd

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Entra ID vs. Yubico YubiKey

June 2025

Free Report: Microsoft Entra ID vs. Yubico YubiKey

Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Entra ID vs. Yubico YubiKey and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.

DOWNLOAD NOW

856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our Microsoft Entra ID vs. Yubico YubiKey report.

See our list of best Authentication Systems vendors.

We monitor all Authentication Systems reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.