Passkeys are generally safer than passwords against account takeovers caused by phishing, password guessing, and reused credentials. They use a cryptographic credential associated with the legitimate service, rather than a reusable secret that a person can be tricked into typing on a fake site. They do not prevent every takeover: compromised devices, stolen provider accounts, unsafe passkey enrollment, and weak recovery options can still expose an account.
How passkeys and passwords differ
A passkey is a FIDO credential built on public-key cryptography. During sign-in, the service checks a response made with a private key held by an authenticator; the corresponding public key is registered with the service. You unlock the authenticator with a device PIN or biometric. The biometric is not a password sent to the website.
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With a password, the user supplies a reusable secret to the service. A fake sign-in page can ask for that secret, and a password exposed in one breach may be tried against other accounts if it was reused. NIST says passkeys are not easily stolen through phishing and do not require memorization; FIDO Alliance classifies passkeys as phishing-resistant and passwords as phishable (NIST password guidance; FIDO Alliance, “The Journey to Prevent Phishing, Part 1”).
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Which attacks do passkeys protect against?
| Attack or concern | Passkeys | Passwords |
|---|---|---|
| Phishing | Designed to bind authentication to the legitimate service, making a credential entered at a lookalike site ineffective. | A user can be tricked into entering the password on a fake site. |
| Password reuse and breach fallout | A different passkey is used for each service; there is no shared memorized secret to reuse. | Reusing a password can let a breach at one service put other accounts at risk. Unique passwords reduce this exposure. |
| Guessing or credential stuffing | Not based on a password an attacker can guess or replay across sites. | Weak or reused passwords are vulnerable to guessing and automated reuse of exposed credentials. |
| Device or account compromise | Not a complete defense if an attacker controls the authenticator, synced-credential provider account, or service recovery process. | Not a complete defense if an attacker obtains the password or defeats account recovery. |
| Access across devices | Synced passkeys can be available on multiple devices through a provider; device-bound credentials stay on their designated device or key. | Can be typed on different devices, but must be memorized or retrieved from a password manager. |
These differences make passkeys a strong defense against common remote credential-theft routes, not a guarantee against account takeover. The service’s enrollment and recovery design matters as much as the sign-in method.
#1 Best Overall
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Can passkeys be hacked?
Passkeys are not “unhackable.” The cryptographic sign-in resists phishing, but attackers may target the surrounding account instead: a device may be compromised, a provider account that synchronizes credentials may be taken over, or the service may allow a weak fallback or recovery route.
Enrollment can create a back door
If a service lets someone register a new passkey after presenting only a password, an attacker who has stolen that password may be able to add their own credential. FIDO Alliance deployment guidance warns that enrollment and recovery can undermine the protection of passkey sign-in (FIDO Alliance, “The Journey to Prevent Phishing, Part 2”).
Rank #2
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Recovery can be weaker than sign-in
A strong passkey does little good if an attacker can regain access through a poorly protected email account, SMS code, or password-only reset. FIDO Alliance warns that email or SMS one-time codes used alone for recovery can be targeted. Review the service’s fallback methods and protect the email and phone accounts used for recovery.
Synced or device-bound: which passkey should you choose?
A synced passkey can be made available on multiple devices through a credential provider. This helps when replacing a phone or signing in from another compatible device, but it makes the security and recovery of the provider account part of the plan. NIST says syncable authenticators can provide phishing-resistant authentication when implemented correctly, while also noting sharing or cloning risks and that they are not suitable for every service (NIST, “Supplement for Incorporating Syncable Authenticators”).
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
A device-bound passkey stays on its designated device or physical security key. It offers tighter control over where the credential exists, but losing or breaking that device can make access harder unless a spare authenticator or recovery route is available. In its Microsoft Entra context, Microsoft recommends device-bound passkeys for administrators and highly privileged users, and synced passkeys for other users; that is an enterprise recommendation, not a universal rule (Microsoft Entra passkey FAQs).
Microsoft also notes that administrators cannot currently see exactly which devices hold copies of a synced passkey. For a personal account, weigh that visibility and provider dependency against the convenience of recovery and cross-device access.
Rank #4
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
What happens if you lose your phone?
The answer depends on how the passkey is stored and what the service supports. A synced passkey may be restored or accessed through the provider on a replacement device, subject to that provider’s account and recovery process. A device-bound passkey will not simply appear on a new phone; you need another registered authenticator or the service’s recovery method. Google describes passkeys as usable across compatible devices and also supports physical security keys as a storage option (Google Safety Center passkey guidance).
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Best Value
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 is a versatile physical passkey that protects your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 via USB and tap it to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
- Add a second passkey or authenticator where the service allows it.
- For a device-bound credential, consider a spare compatible security key stored securely.
- Keep the provider account and recovery email protected with strong authentication.
- Check the service’s recovery options and make sure you can still reach them if your main phone is lost.
Should you use a passkey or a password manager?
They solve related but different problems. Use a passkey where a service supports it and its recovery options are acceptable. For accounts that still require passwords, use a reputable password manager to create and store a unique generated password for each service, and turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) where available. NIST recommends password managers and MFA as protections for password-based accounts.
A password manager reduces the burden of remembering unique passwords, but its own account needs strong protection and a recovery plan. Email or SMS codes can add a layer beyond a password, but they are not equivalent to phishing-resistant authentication.
How to make the switch safely
- Start with high-value accounts. Enable a passkey for services that support it, such as your email account or other accounts whose compromise could expose additional accounts.
- Review enrollment and recovery. Check how a new passkey can be added, what happens if your device is lost, and whether password, email, or SMS fallback is available.
- Choose storage based on your needs. Use syncing for easier device replacement and cross-device access, or device-bound credentials when strict device control matters and you can maintain a backup.
- Keep a second route into critical accounts. Register another authenticator or security key if supported, and store recovery information safely.
- Protect accounts that still use passwords. Give every service a unique generated password, store it in a password manager with MFA, and enable the service’s MFA.
When is a hardware security key useful?
A FIDO-compatible hardware security key can hold a device-bound passkey and serve as a primary or backup authenticator for supported services. It is optional, not a requirement for using passkeys. Before buying one, check that the sites you use support it, that its connector or NFC interface works with your devices, and that you have a spare-key or recovery plan. Compatibility varies by service and device; Google provides information about physical security keys and passkey sign-in in its passkey guidance.
How widespread are passkeys?
Availability is growing, but an option to use passkeys is not the same as a person actually using one. NIST reported a FIDO Alliance estimate of more than 8 billion user accounts with an option to use passkeys; that figure refers to accounts, not users who have adopted passkeys, and the NIST page does not give a more precise date for the original estimate (NIST syncable-authenticator supplement).
FIDO Alliance’s 2024 enterprise paper says that more than 80% of data breaches have passwords as a root cause, that up to 51% of passwords are reused, and that 59% of consumers use only a password for their work computer or account. These are figures attributed to that paper; the methods behind them are not established here, so they should not be read as independently verified universal rates (FIDO Alliance, “Replacing Password-Only Authentication with Passkeys in the Enterprise,” August 29, 2024).
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