Duo Security vs StrongDM: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Duo Security and StrongDM side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Duo Security leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Duo Security
Multi-factor authentication for enterprises
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
StrongDM
Your partner in Zero Trust Privileged Access, controlling what happens after login.
Best for you if:
- • You want enhances security by eliminating credential theft and preventing lateral movement
| At a Glance | Duo Security | StrongDM |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $3/user/mo, billed monthly Essentials plan | Not published |
Category | Identity & Access Security | Security Identity & Access |
Rating | 4.6/5 Capterra 4.7 · G2 4.5 1,051 reviews | 4.5/5 G2 4.6 · SourceForge 4.2 105 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Potential for minimum seat requirements |
Choose Duo Security or StrongDM?
Choose Duo Security if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want enterprise MFA leader
- You want good security
- You work in identity & access, not security
Choose StrongDM if
- You want enhances security by eliminating credential theft and preventing lateral movement
- You want improves productivity by integrating into existing workflows without slowing down operations
- You work in security, not identity & access
In-Depth Analysis
Duo Security
Multi-factor authentication for enterprises
Duo Security's pricing is fair, offering a generous free tier for up to 10 users.
Strengths
- Pro: Enterprise MFA leader
- Pro: Good security
- Pro: Easy setup
- Pro: Many integrations
- Pro: Cisco backing
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Cisco pricing complexity
- Con: Per-user costs
- Con: UI dated
- Con: Better free alternatives
Key features
StrongDM
Your partner in Zero Trust Privileged Access, controlling what happens after login.
It's best suited for enterprises prioritizing robust security and compliance over upfront cost transparency.
Watch out
Potential for minimum seat requirements
Strengths
- Pro: Enhances security by eliminating credential theft and preventing lateral movement.
- Pro: Improves productivity by integrating into existing workflows without slowing down operations.
- Pro: Provides comprehensive audit-ready visibility into all sessions.
- Pro: Deploys quickly and easily without requiring infrastructure changes.
- Pro: Supports various environments including AWS, Azure, GCP, and on-prem.
Weaknesses
- Con: No free tier or explicit pricing information available on the provided page, requiring a demo request.
- Con: Specific technical details about the 'Identity Firewall foundation' and 'Cedar-based Policy Engine' are not fully elaborated for a deeper understanding.
Key features
Plans and prices: Duo Security vs StrongDM
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Duo Security |
| duo.com/pricing read Oct 31, 2026 |
| StrongDM |
| strongdm.com/pricing read Oct 2, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Duo Security pricing and StrongDM pricing.
Key Takeaways
Duo Security
- Has a free plan
StrongDM
- Choose if you want your partner in Zero Trust Privileged Access, controlling what happens after login
What the data shows
On the data below, Duo Security leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 1,051 reviews for Duo Security, 4.5/5 from 105 reviews for StrongDM).
- Duo Security starts at $3/user/mo, billed monthly; StrongDM has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Duo Security has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Duo Security and StrongDM compare in 2026?
On the data below, Duo Security leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 1,051 reviews for Duo Security, 4.5/5 from 105 reviews for StrongDM). Duo Security starts at $3/user/mo, billed monthly; StrongDM has no public paid plan price on file. Only Duo Security has a free plan.
What are Duo Security and StrongDM used for?
Duo Security: Multi-factor authentication for enterprises. StrongDM: Your partner in Zero Trust Privileged Access, controlling what happens after login.
What does Duo Security cost vs StrongDM?
Duo Security's cheapest paid plan is Essentials at $3/user/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. StrongDM has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between Duo Security and StrongDM?
Duo Security's main strength: enterprise MFA leader. StrongDM's main strength: enhances security by eliminating credential theft and preventing lateral movement.