Duo vs FortiAuthenticator: What are the differences?

Introduction

Duo and FortiAuthenticator are both authentication solutions that provide secure access to protected resources. However, they have key differences that distinguish them from each other.

1. Deployment Model: Duo is a cloud-based solution that is hosted and managed by Duo Security, whereas FortiAuthenticator is an on-premises solution that is deployed and managed by the organization. This difference in deployment models allows organizations to choose the solution that best aligns with their infrastructure and security requirements.

2. Integration Capabilities: Duo has a wide range of integrations with various applications and services, making it compatible with different systems and platforms. On the other hand, FortiAuthenticator is designed to integrate primarily with Fortinet's network security solutions, providing a seamless authentication experience within the Fortinet ecosystem. This difference in integration capabilities enables organizations to choose the solution that aligns with their existing technology stack.

3. Authentication Methods: Duo offers a variety of authentication methods, including push notifications, SMS passcodes, phone callback, hardware tokens, and biometric authentication. FortiAuthenticator, on the other hand, supports a range of authentication methods such as one-time passwords (OTP), certificates, and smart cards. This difference in supported authentication methods allows organizations to choose the solution that aligns with their preferred user authentication mechanisms.

4. User Experience: Duo provides a user-friendly experience with its intuitive interface and quick authentication methods like push notifications. It focuses on simplicity and ease of use for both end-users and administrators. In contrast, FortiAuthenticator offers more advanced features and customization options, making it suitable for organizations with complex authentication requirements. This difference in user experience allows organizations to choose the solution that best suits their user base and operational needs.

5. Reporting and Analytics: Duo provides detailed reporting and analytics on user authentication data, helping organizations monitor and analyze security events and user behavior effectively. FortiAuthenticator also offers reporting capabilities, but it is more focused on providing network security information and analytics within the Fortinet ecosystem. This difference in reporting and analytics capabilities allows organizations to choose the solution that aligns with their specific reporting and compliance requirements.

6. Licensing Model: Duo operates based on a subscription model, where organizations pay for the number of users they authenticate. FortiAuthenticator, on the other hand, is typically licensed as part of a broader Fortinet network security solution package. This difference in licensing models allows organizations to choose the solution that best fits their budgeting and procurement processes.

In summary, Duo and FortiAuthenticator differ in their deployment models, integration capabilities, supported authentication methods, user experience, reporting and analytics features, and licensing models. Organizations should evaluate these differences to select the authentication solution that aligns with their specific needs and requirements.