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Single Factor Authentication vs Passwordless Authentication

Developers should learn about SFA to understand foundational security principles and implement basic access control in low-risk applications, such as internal tools or non-sensitive user accounts meets developers should implement passwordless authentication when building applications requiring high security and user convenience, such as financial services, healthcare platforms, or enterprise saas products. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

Single Factor Authentication

Developers should learn about SFA to understand foundational security principles and implement basic access control in low-risk applications, such as internal tools or non-sensitive user accounts

Single Factor Authentication

Nice Pick

Developers should learn about SFA to understand foundational security principles and implement basic access control in low-risk applications, such as internal tools or non-sensitive user accounts

Pros

  • +It is appropriate when security requirements are minimal, user convenience is prioritized, or as a stepping stone to more advanced authentication systems
  • +Related to: multi-factor-authentication, password-hashing

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Passwordless Authentication

Developers should implement passwordless authentication when building applications requiring high security and user convenience, such as financial services, healthcare platforms, or enterprise SaaS products

Pros

  • +It's particularly valuable for reducing support costs related to password resets and mitigating risks from data breaches involving stolen credentials
  • +Related to: multi-factor-authentication, oauth-2.0

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Single Factor Authentication if: You want it is appropriate when security requirements are minimal, user convenience is prioritized, or as a stepping stone to more advanced authentication systems and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Passwordless Authentication if: You prioritize it's particularly valuable for reducing support costs related to password resets and mitigating risks from data breaches involving stolen credentials over what Single Factor Authentication offers.

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The Bottom Line
Single Factor Authentication wins

Developers should learn about SFA to understand foundational security principles and implement basic access control in low-risk applications, such as internal tools or non-sensitive user accounts

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