The Top 11 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Solutions For Business

JumpCloud’s Open Directory Platform enables teams to securely connect employees to any resources with robust multi-factor authentication and single sign-on.

How it works: JumpCloud’s MFA secures user access to applications, devices, and networks with contextual access controls. JumpCloud offers their own native authenticator app – JumpCloud Protect. The platform also integrates identity management, access management, and device management capabilities.

Who it’s for: Small-to-medium and mid-market organizations.

What we like: JumpCloud unifies the identity stack by building identity, access, and device management into one secure platform. Teams can consolidate identity controls in a trusted, easy-to-use system.

• Supports user experience with flexible phishing-resistant passwordless user authentication leveraging biometrics.
• Provides a consolidated view of all user privileges to ensure compliance and enforce conditional access policies.
• Unifies identity stack across MFA, device management, and SSO, cutting costs and streamlining management. 

Supported factors: Push notifications, Universal Second Factor (UTF) keys, Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTPs), and in-device biometrics.

Deployment: Cloud-based deployment, on-device agent.

The bottom line: JumpCloud is an easy-to-manage MFA solution that can be rolled out for a remote or hybrid workforce with minimum effort. The platform is modern and well designed with a positive employee experience.

• JumpCloud was founded in 2012 and is HQ in Louisville, Colorado.

ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus is a password manager, endpoint MFA, and SSO solution. It secures access to machines (Windows, macOS, and LinuxOS), VPNs, applications, endpoints, and Outlook Web Access (OWA).

How it works: ADSelfService Plus protects endpoints, severs, VPNs, and user identities by enforcing MFA and enabling SSO to prevent credential-based attacks. 

Who it’s for: Larger organizations—particularly in industries such as finance, IT, healthcare, and government.

What we like: ADSelfService Plus enables organizations to protect multiple points of access with secure MFA and single sign-on.

• Built around Active Directory, supporting easier deployment and onboarding for all users.
• Support flexible self-service MFA and password management capabilities.
• Allows admins to build robust conditional access policies to govern access to applications. 

Supported factors: Security questions, SMS, email codes, authenticator apps, hardware security tokens, QR codes, fingerprint, and facial recognition.

Deployment: Either servers or machines.

The bottom line: ADSelfService Plus is a cost-effective identity security solution that can help to secure multiple IT resources and supports users with self-service authentication options.

• ADSelfService Plus comes in three tiers (Free, Standard, and Professional). Endpoint MFA capabilities are available on highest tier, which starts at $1,195 for 500 domain users annually.

Thales SafeNet Trusted Access features multi-factor authentication, adaptive and contextual authentication, integrated single sign-on, and scenario-based access policies via a single, unified platform.

How it works: Thales offers a cloud-based access management service, which supports numerous options for authentication methods and form factors, including context-based adaptive authentication.

Who it’s for: Thales is best suited for mid-sized and larger enterprise organizations.

What we like: Thales looks at the context of each login attempt to detect anomalous behavior. Additional authentication is only required if the login is considered unusual or risky. This ensures security without impacting end users’ login experience unnecessarily.

• Modern admin console with one central policy engine for all users, groups, and applications.
• Highly scalable, enterprise grade platform with granular reporting and policy controls.
• Supports a wide range of authentication factors, ensuring flexibility for end users.

Supported factors: Traditional password- and token-based authentication, certificate-based smart cards, integrated Kerberos authentication, SAML, and OIDC.

Deployment: Cloud-based deployment.

The bottom line: SafeNet Trusted Access is a strong MFA solution for organizations who want to secure user access to cloud and web-based applications and VPN usage, particularly those who want integrated SSO.

• In 2024, Thales acquired Imperva, bringing web application firewall, API security and data security into the Thales platform. Their goal is to build a unified portfolio for managing authentication, applications, and data security.

UserLock enables MFA and access management for on-premise Windows Active Directory identity access to on-prem resources and cloud apps.

How it works: UserLock allows admins to enforce MFA and access management across Windows login, remote desktops, VPNs, and cloud applications.

Who it’s for: UserLock is designed for on-premise first environments looking for a scalable way to verify identity across on-premise and hybrid Active Directory deployments to meet security goals and compliance requirements.

What we like: UserLock offers a comprehensive feature set combining MFA, SSO, session management and access management policies. The admin console is functional, easy to navigate and the solution deploys in just 20-minutes.

• End users can easily authenticate when required, and IT can choose to offer up to two MFA methods.
• Granular access policies enable you to enforce strong MFA policies, including when and how often MFA is required.
• Broader access management capabilities include enterprise SSO, user management, login auditing, and credential monitoring.

Supported factors: Mobile push notifications with the UserLock Push app, authenticator apps (Google, Microsoft & LastPass), hardware tokens (including YubiKey and Token2).

Deployment: Supports on-prem and hybrid Active Directory deployments. SAML-based SSO combined with MFA federates on-prem AD identity authentication to extend secure access to cloud applications.

The bottom line: UserLock is a powerful MFA and access management solution for hybrid and on-prem Active Directory environments. The solution is very easy to manage after initial deployment with minimal day-to-day admin work needed. Pricing is cost-effective, with a per-user pricing model. UserLock offers a streamlined end-user experience and can help teams of any size improve security and prove compliance.

• IS Decisions was founded in 2000. Their HQ is in Aquitaine, France.

Cisco’s Duo Security is an access management platform that prevents credential-based security risks and helps teams meet regulatory compliance. It includes MFA, SSO, device visibility, and secure remote access.

How it works: Duo verifies user identities with MFA, supporting a range of factors. It also establishes device trust, and enabled admins to configure granular, adaptive policies to set access levels.

Who it’s for: Duo can support enterprises of all sizes with over five plans available.

What we like: Duo provides comprehensive and granular access control policies. The solution is cloud-based, scalable, and easy-to-deploy, with integrations into your existing environment.

• The user experience is seamless with a modern, easy-to-use UI for end users, while the mobile app is intuitive and fast.
• Duo integrates single sign-on for user access to apps and secure devices.
• Admins can set adaptive authentication policies based on factors such as user location and device health.

Supported factors: Mobile app, universal 2nd factor authentication tokens, FIDO-supported hardware tokens, passcodes, U2F USB devices, and device biometrics, e.g. FaceID.

Deployment: Cloud-based, on-prem, or hybrid deployments. 

The bottom line: Cisco Duo is a strong solution for organizations of all sizes. It is secure and effective for small businesses, but it also scales to enterprise use-cases. Combined with Cisco’s broader network security stack, Duo is an effective platform to build a zero trust strategy.

• Duo Security was acquired by Cisco in 2018.

IBM Security Verify is an enterprise access management solution designed to help security teams govern access to data and applications.

How it works: IBM Security Verify is an identity-as-a-service platform. It supports user management, single sign-on, passwordless authentication, and adaptive MFA.

Who it’s for: IBM is best suited for enterprise-level deployments. For those gradually transitioning to cloud IAM, IBM Security Verify Access offers a flexible hybrid solution.

What we like: It provides contextually aware authentication processes to support efficient and secure workforce IAM. IBM’s SSO component supports both cloud and on-prem apps.

• User lifecycle orchestration with no-code workflows managed via a consolidated control panel.
• Continuously monitors user risk with ML-powered contextual analysis & enforces contextual access policies.
• Identity and risk scanning provides a comprehensive view of potential vulnerabilities.
• Templates for consent management for data privacy compliance.

Supported factors: Email and SMS OTPs, time-based OTPs, and IBM Verify Authentication mobile app.

Deployment: Cloud-based or on-premises, in a virtual or hardware appliance.

The bottom line: IBM is a strong MFA tool for organizations looking to deploy a comprehensive access management suite. It’s a highly secure enterprise platform supporting multiple authentication use cases, delivered as a service.

• Based in New York, IBM is the largest industrial research organization in the world.

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is a cloud-based Identity and Access Management platform that provides secure access to thousands of integrated SaaS applications, as well as internal applications and custom cloud applications.

How it works: Entra ID is a cloud-based identity platform that enforces access controls on internal and external resources leveraging your Microsoft credentials.

Who it’s for: Organizations on Microsoft 365 or considering deploying M365, looking to roll out user authentication and single sign-on for enterprise apps.

What we like: The platform is easy-to-use for the majority of end users. It’s very easy to deploy for organizations integrated into the M365 eco-system. Admins can easily configure access policies and manage user onboarding/offboarding.

• Users can easily add and manage their own chosen authentication factors and use their existing Microsoft credentials to authenticate.
• Admins can monitor and enforce access policies, e.g. number matching to prevent MFA bypass.
• Admins can configure conditional access policies for users and groups, based on IP location, device, application, and risk signal detection.

Deployment: Cloud-based.

Supported factors: Microsoft supports a wide range of authentication methods, including Microsoft’s own Authenticator app, Windows Hello For Business, FIDO2 Security Keys, OATH hardware and software tokens, SMS codes, and voice calls.

The bottom line: We recommend Microsoft 365 users enforce Entra ID multi-factor authentication across their accounts. It is straightforward to roll out, and massively improves account security for all users.

• Founded in 1972, Microsoft is a global leader in workplace technology and software solutions.

Okta’s MFA solution secures access for all your business accounts with comprehensive IAM across all enterprise accounts and devices.

How it works: Okta integrates with all internal and external applications to enforce adaptive, conditional MFA for each login attempt. Okta’s platform also supports access management and device management. 

Who it’s for: Okta is popular with mid-market and larger enterprises.

What we like: Okta’s service is designed to be secure, simple, and intelligent. They’ve focused on creating an easy-to-use admin portal that enforces MFA across the organization, with policies that enforce contextual based login in challenges.

• Contextual, risk-based authentication policies based around device, network, location, and use behavior.
• Provides device management capabilities and restricts access from unsecured and unmanaged devices.
• Okta’s Access Gateway enables pre-built integrations with your on-prem and cloud-based apps from a single platform.

Supported factors: Okta FastPass, Fido2 WebAuthn keys, smart card, security questions, SMS, voice & email OTPs, a mobile app, and biometrics.

Deployment: Cloud-based, on-premises, and hybrid.

The bottom line: Okta is a market leading authentication and IAM platform. It’s quick and easy for users to authenticate, and highly secure. The solution is reported to reduce both authentication time and security breaches by 50%.

• Okta is a market leader securing a reported 27% share of the identity and access management market.

PingOne is a leading workforce IAM platform that supports cloud authentication for all users on any device. It enables passwordless MFA, SSO, and user directory for all employees and users.

How it works: PingOne is cloud-based and enforces MFA for your network, application, and resources. This solution is delivered as part of the Ping Identity platform which also includes identity and access management, and identity governance capabilities. 

Who it’s for: PingOne is suited for SMBs up to mid-market and enterprise organizations.

What we like: Ping has focused on providing easy integrations for enterprise customers, allowing admins to use APIs, SDKs, and integration kits to streamline implementation with existing infrastructure. Ping uses context-based adaptive authentication to provide a better user experience and more effective security controls.

• Adaptive, risk-based authentication based on geolocation, IP Address, and time since last verification.
• A directory of over 1,800 pre-built IAM integrations for scalable and straightforward deployment.
• Simplified administration with flexible policy-based control in a modern, user friendly admin console.

Supported factors: Mobile app push authentication, QR codes, OTPs via SMS, email or voice, TOTP authenticator apps, magic links, FIDO2 biometrics, and security keys.

Deployment: Cloud-based.

The bottom line: PingOne is best suited for mid-sized to enterprise teams looking for a secure, easy-to-deploy, and scalable identity-as-a-service solution. It’s very easy to use and provides flexibility in deployment and authentication workflows.

• PingOne can also be deployed into your own applications for customers to use to authenticate their identities.

RSA SecurID is an enterprise-focused MFA and access management solution for on-prem deployments. It allows you to enforce risk-driven authentication policies across your organization with physical authentication devices.

How it works: SecurID protects on-prem resources by enforcing robust authentication and identity management. This includes hardware and software authenticators, as well as a comprehensive management console. RSA can be deployed as a rack-mounted hardware appliance.

Who it’s for: RSA SecurID is best suited to mid-sized to large enterprise organizations.

What we like: RSA offers a range of hardware authenticators, but also supports cloud protocols including OTPs and passwordless authentication. Admins can manage contextual access policies, users, and groups from a modern admin console.

• Policy driven, phishing resistant MFA with easy-to-manage physical authentication keys.
• Designed for both cloud and on-prem uses authentication and identity governance use cases.
• Supports more than 500 cloud and on-prem applications, as well as custom built internal apps.

Supported factors: RSA supports hardware and software authenticators, including their own range of hardware keys, OTPs, and passwordless.

Deployment: On-prem, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments.

The bottom line: RSA is a best fit for enterprise teams looking for granular authentication features and policies. It’s a strong option for organizations that need to meet compliance regulations, such as healthcare, finance, government, etc.

• SecureID is delivered as part of RSA’s Unified Identity Platform, which combines intelligence, authentication, governance, and lifecycle management in one platform.

SecureAuth offers a range of features to help security teams manage user credentials and secure access to accounts, without compromising the end user’s login experience, including adaptive enterprise MFA.

How it works: SecureAuth’s cloud-based Workforce IAM platform includes adaptive MFA, access controls, MFA, SSO, compliance, device trust, and identity orchestration.

Who it’s for: SecureAuth is a strong fit for SMBs, mid-market, and enterprise organizations.

What we like: SecureAuth offers improves security across the organization by enforcing secure, conditional multi-factor authentication. Flexibility is a key benefit of this platform – it supports over 30 different authentication options and supports multiple deployments.

• Adaptive and continuous third-party risk checks based on factors like device health, IP reputation, device location, and historical user behavior.
• Supports over 30 authentication methods, including passwordless biometric authentication, OTPs, and push notification.
• Granular admin console including authentication policies, security monitoring, and reports for compliance.

Supported factors: Over 30-phishing resistant factors, including hardware keys and passkeys.

Deployment: On-prem, hybrid, or cloud-based deployment.

The bottom line: SecureAuth is a robust solution for both SMBs and enterprises looking for flexible, adaptive MFA that’s straightforward to deploy and manage. The platform simplifies onboarding with self-service enrollment resets, and platform updates for end users.

• SecureAuth was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.