Overview

The app supports push approvals, time-based passcodes, biometrics, and third-party TOTP accounts on iOS and Android. Duo Push makes approval quick, while passcodes offer a code-entry alternative. Duo Restore helps users carry Duo-protected accounts to a new device, and Security Checkup provides a mobile-device security score through notifications.

Duo's organizational scope is its main distinction. It can connect to legacy systems, custom apps, VPNs, SaaS tools, and offline devices, and adaptive policies can account for user role, location, application, network, and device health. That flexibility is valuable for administrators managing varied access needs, but end users who need enrollment, activation, reactivation, or troubleshooting help must contact their organization's Duo administrator.

Key features

Authentication and account continuity

Users can approve or deny a login with Duo Push or enter a time-based passcode. Third-party TOTP support lets the mobile apps hold codes for other services as well. This range gives users alternatives when push is unsuitable, without requiring separate authenticator apps for every TOTP account.

Duo Restore backs up and restores Duo-protected accounts when users switch iOS or Android devices. Duo also supports passwordless methods including platform authenticators, passkeys, FIDO2 security keys, and Duo Push. Its security design uses asymmetric cryptography, keeps private keys on users' devices in a tamper-proof secure element, and does not store passwords.

Organizational controls

Administrators can integrate Duo through RADIUS, SAML/OIDC, Duo Authentication Proxy, or direct API connections. The ecosystem marketplace lists 701 applications, while adaptive policies can use role, location, application, network, and device health to shape access. This breadth suits organizations with mixed infrastructure; teams that only need personal codes may find the administrative depth unnecessary.

Duo states that it supports or aligns with PCI-DSS 4.0, NIST 800-63 and 800-171, DEA EPCS, GDPR, FFIEC, HIPAA, and PIPEDA requirements. That makes it relevant to organizations with compliance obligations, though the app's end-user support boundary remains important: account help goes through the organization's Duo administrator.

Pricing

Duo uses a freemium model, with a free plan and paid plans starting at $3/user/mo; a 30-day trial is available. Duo Free costs 0.00 USD per free, billed monthly, and supports 10 users. That cap makes it appropriate for a small group evaluating or using core Duo access, but not a growing team that needs more seats.

Duo Essentials costs 3.00 USD per month and includes Duo Directory, phishing-resistant MFA, passwordless authentication, SSO, Trusted Endpoints, and unlimited applications. It is the entry paid tier for organizations wanting broader access controls without moving to the higher-tier capabilities.

Duo Advantage costs 6.00 USD per month and adds Cisco Identity Intelligence, Duo Passport, session theft protection, Active Directory Defense, and risk-based authentication. It suits teams that need these additional identity and risk protections. Duo Premier costs 9.00 USD per month and adds Zero Trust access, VPN-less remote access, and complete device trust with endpoint protection check, making it the tier for organizations seeking those broader access and device controls.

Platforms

Duo Mobile runs on iOS and Android phones and tablets and supports many smart watches. The mobile apps also support third-party TOTP accounts, giving users a way to consolidate compatible codes on either supported mobile platform.

Who it's for

Duo Mobile is a strong fit for organizations that need push and passcode authentication integrated with applications, VPNs, legacy infrastructure, or custom systems. Its adaptive policies and range of integration methods make it more useful to IT teams managing different user and device contexts than to individuals who only need a standalone code generator.

It is also a practical option for organizations seeking passwordless methods and alignment with named compliance requirements. Individual users should keep in mind that enrollment and account troubleshooting are handled by their organization's administrator, not as a self-service support path.

Pros and cons

Pros

Multiple sign-in choices, including push, passcodes, biometrics, and passwordless methods, accommodate different authentication situations.
Integration options spanning RADIUS, SAML/OIDC, proxy, and API approaches support varied organizational infrastructure.
Adaptive policies can use user, location, application, network, and device-health context to shape access.
Duo Restore helps preserve Duo-protected accounts when users move to another mobile device.

Cons

The free plan is limited to 10 users, so larger teams need a paid tier.
Users needing enrollment or troubleshooting assistance must rely on their organization's Duo administrator.
The organizational integration and policy breadth may be more than a personal-authenticator user needs.

Alternatives

For a dedicated authenticator comparison, see Authenticator apps. Teams comparing broader access options can also review Multi-Factor Authentication Software, Passwordless Authentication Software, and Passkey Authentication Software. Organizations focused on identity threat response can browse Identity Threat Detection and Response Software, while VPN buyers can compare Business VPN Software.

Blumira is a paid alternative with a free trial and a $12.00 USD per month Detect plan, suited to readers seeking cloud and local-network SIEM visibility, pre-tuned detections, and one-year log retention. Bitdefender Total Security offers a first-year Total Security Individual price of $59.99 USD per year plus applicable sales tax for five devices and one account, and may suit readers comparing a multi-device security subscription.

CrowdStrike Falcon Surface is another paid option with a free trial and demo-based pricing. Cayosoft Administrator uses quote-based pricing and offers subscriptions for 12, 36, or 72 months. Delinea Identity Threat Protection has quote-based pricing and a free trial. Vectra AI Identity Threat Detection and Response offers enterprise identity threat detection, investigation, and response with demo-based pricing. Netwrix Password Secure is a paid alternative with self-service pricing starting at $60.00 USD per year and a one-year minimum purchase commitment. Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud API Security is another option for readers considering API security software.

Verdict

Choose Duo Mobile if your organization needs flexible mobile authentication connected to varied systems, with policy controls that can adapt to user and device context. Its broad integrations and authentication options are the clearest reasons to choose it. Look elsewhere if you only want a personal authenticator or need end-user support that does not depend on an organizational administrator.

	Duo Mobile	WinAuth
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	$3/mo	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, iOS	Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Paid from	$3/user/mo	—
Code type	totp	totp and hotp
Push approvals	Yes	—
Encrypted backup	Yes	—
Team administration	Yes	—
Supported platforms	iOS, Android	windows

Duo Mobile vs WinAuth

Duo Mobile

WinAuth