Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo is a user-friendly identity security platform providing multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, and device visibility to protect your applications and data from unauthorized access and credential-based cyberattacks.
StrongDM
StrongDM is a dynamic access management platform that centralizes control over databases, servers, and clusters to provide secure, audited access for technical teams across any infrastructure environment.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cisco Duo | StrongDM |
|---|---|---|
| Website | duo.com | strongdm.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $50/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2010 | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Ann Arbor, USA | New York, USA |
Overview
Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo helps you secure your workforce by verifying the identity of every user and the health of every device before they access your applications. You can implement strong multi-factor authentication (MFA) that is easy for your team to use, reducing the risk of data breaches caused by compromised passwords. The platform gives you a clear view of every device connecting to your network, whether it is company-issued or a personal mobile phone.
You can also simplify your team's workday with single sign-on (SSO), allowing them to access all their cloud and on-premise apps with one secure login. It scales effortlessly from small startups to global enterprises, offering a 30-day free trial to get you started. By enforcing risk-based access policies, you ensure that only the right people and healthy devices can reach your sensitive data.
StrongDM
StrongDM simplifies how you manage access to your most sensitive technical infrastructure. Instead of juggling SSH keys, VPNs, and database credentials, you get a single entry point to manage permissions for databases, servers, and Kubernetes clusters. It acts as a proxy that sits between your team and your resources, instantly authenticating users and encrypting their connections without changing their local workflows.
You can automate the entire access lifecycle by integrating with your existing identity provider, like Okta or Azure AD. This ensures that when someone joins or leaves a team, their access is updated across every resource automatically. It also captures every query and command in a centralized audit log, helping you meet compliance requirements like SOC2 or HIPAA while giving your engineers the fast access they need to stay productive.
Overview
Cisco Duo Features
- Duo Push Approve login requests with a single tap on your smartphone using the most secure and user-friendly MFA method.
- Single Sign-On Access all your cloud and on-premise applications through one secure dashboard to save time and reduce password fatigue.
- Device Visibility Get a full inventory of every laptop and mobile device accessing your applications without installing intrusive agents.
- Passwordless Authentication Log in to your work applications using biometrics like TouchID or FaceID for a faster, more secure experience.
- Risk-Based Policies Set custom access rules based on user location, network, and device health to automatically block suspicious login attempts.
- Verified Push Prevent push harassment by requiring users to enter a numeric code from the login screen into their mobile app.
StrongDM Features
- Unified Access Proxy. Access all your databases, servers, and clusters through a single client while keeping your favorite local tools.
- Dynamic Access Control. Grant or revoke permissions instantly based on roles or attributes, ensuring your team always has the right level of access.
- Automated Offboarding. Sync with your identity provider to automatically remove access across all infrastructure the moment an employee leaves.
- Complete Audit Logging. Capture every database query, SSH command, and kubectl request in a searchable log for effortless compliance reporting.
- Just-in-Time Access. Provide temporary, time-bound access to sensitive resources to reduce your attack surface and prevent credential lingering.
- Policy-Based Governance. Define granular security policies that govern who can access what, when, and from where across your global environment.
Pricing Comparison
Cisco Duo Pricing
- Up to 10 users
- Unlimited MFA methods
- Duo Mobile app
- Self-service portal
- Standard integrations
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Single Sign-On (SSO)
- Passwordless authentication
- Trusted Endpoints visibility
- Basic policy enforcement
- User group management
StrongDM Pricing
- Up to 10 users
- Access to databases and servers
- Standard audit logging
- Identity provider integration
- Email support
- Everything in Essentials, plus:
- Unlimited users and resources
- Just-in-time access workflows
- Advanced policy engine
- High availability gateways
- 24/7 priority support
Pros & Cons
Cisco Duo
Pros
- Extremely easy for employees to use daily
- Fast setup process for IT administrators
- Reliable mobile app with instant push notifications
- Broad support for various hardware security keys
Cons
- Advanced reporting requires higher-tier paid plans
- Mobile app registration can be tricky for some
- Pricing can scale quickly for large organizations
StrongDM
Pros
- Eliminates the need for multiple VPNs and SSH keys
- Simplifies compliance audits with centralized query logs
- Integrates easily with existing identity providers like Okta
- Maintains native developer workflows without adding friction
- Fast setup process for complex infrastructure environments
Cons
- Pricing can be high for very large teams
- Initial configuration of gateways requires technical expertise
- Occasional latency issues with specific database drivers