5 Best Multifactor Authentication (MFA) Solutions for Business [2024]

There’s no question that cyber security is a prevalent and growing threat to businesses. However, few business owners are aware of how many confirmed breaches are due to human error—specifically, weak or compromised passwords. This simple, effective defense mechanism is often ignored, and therefore frequently exploited by hackers and cybercriminals.

In addition to practicing strong password hygiene, one of the most powerful steps you can take to improve enterprise security and resilience is implementing multifactor authentication (MFA). 

MFA significantly increases the obstacles for any potential attackers, making the company’s accounts less appealing as a target for cyber attackers.

In this blog post, we will share how multifactor authentication works, types of MFA solutions available, features to look for in an MFA provider, highlight three critical questions to ask your MFA providers, and finally, a list of the best MFA providers.

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How does MFA work? 

MFA is like adding an extra lock on your front door to keep your home safe. It’s a security measure that requires users to provide more than just a password to access their accounts. 

After a user enters their password, they might need to verify their identity with something they have (like a code sent to their phone) or something they are (like a fingerprint).

This added layer of security makes it much harder for someone to break in and access a user’s account, even if they’ve somehow gotten hold of their password. It’s a smart, straightforward way to keep your information and your community safe. 

The main types of MFA solutions 

There are several types of multifactor authentication solutions available, each adding an extra layer of security to your login process. 

Here’s a breakdown of the most common ones:

1. SMS-based authentication: This is one of the simplest MFA formats. The user, after entering a password, is sent a one-time code via a text message that needs to be input to complete the login process. It's convenient but less secure if an SMS is intercepted.
2. Email-based authentication: This method delivers to the user a particular code or a link through email. The user will have to input this code or open the link to get verified. It is easy to use but suffers from the same sort of vulnerabilities as the SMS-based methods.
3. Authenticator apps: Google Authenticator, Authy, and Microsoft Authenticator are some of the applications generating time-based codes; the user inputs such a code after his or her password. These codes have a lifespan of only 30 seconds each.
4. Biometric authentication: This method involves the use of something unique to the user, such as a fingerprint, facial recognition, or voice. Biometric authenticators are popular on mobile devices, since they are hard to copy or duplicate. 
5. Hardware tokens: These physical devices generate authentication codes. USB tokens, key fobs, or another piece of hardware are very secure, but not practical to keep track of or carry around. 
6. Push notifications: The user receives a push notification on their mobile device, asking if they are trying to log in. They only need to approve the request. It's easy for any user to do so.
7. Smart cards: These are physical cards with an inserted chip put into a card reader, usually combined with a PIN. It's often used in corporate environments for secure access.

You can mix and match these solutions depending on how much security you need and how much convenience you'd like to allow your users. The goal is to ensure that even if someone has your password, they can’t get into your account without passing that second layer of defense.

How to find the best MFA solution for your business

If you’re looking to invest in a multifactor authentication solution for your business, there are a few key factors you should keep in mind. 

Easy set-up and fast time to market

First things first: The multifactor authentication solution itself should be straightforward and easy to use, with a clear, intuitive interface—for both the team managing it and your customers. Your customers should have no trouble completing the authentication process, whether they’re using an app, SMS, or another method. 

On the backend, your team should be able to easily set up and manage the authentication flow from your security management platform or authentication provider. 

For example, Plivo offers a well-documented API to help you set up MFA. Plivo’s API uses standard HTTP verbs and status codes, which makes it easy to integrate into your existing systems. Whether your development team prefers Python, Ruby, Node, PHP, Java, .NET, Go, or even cURL, the setup process is consistent and streamlined. 

Rich features for better engagement 

When it comes to integrating MFA into your applications and scaling delivery globally, having the right features in place can make all the difference. 

Plivo supports real-time delivery report notifications so you can track how your messages are performing globally. This gives you valuable insight into your delivery rates and understanding the effectiveness of your messaging strategy. 

We also provide pre-approved templates optimized for conversions. These ready-made message templates comply with industry regulations and are designed to maximize engagement and drive conversions. 

These templates can save time and effort compared to creating messages from scratch. Instead, focus on what really matters—connecting with your audience.

Built-in security and data compliance features

When you’re looking for an multifactor authentication solution provider, consider the built-in regulatory and data compliance features it offers. Look for specific fraud protection tools that can protect your customers. 

Plivo, for instance, provides Fraud Shield, a powerful solution designed to help reduce the risk of fraud like SMS pumping fraud and account token takeover. 

Fraud Shield provides two key features: Geo Permissions and Fraud Thresholds. Geo Permissions let you control which countries your SMS traffic can reach, blocking and not charging for messages sent to unapproved countries. 

Fraud Thresholds allow you to set a limit on the number of messages sent per hour to approved countries, helping prevent issues if the limit is exceeded.

Low operational costs 

Cost is often one of the biggest concerns for companies vetting MFA tools. While there’s a wide range of tools with multiple pricing plans, it all boils down to your specific requirements and how much you use a particular service. 

With Plivo, you only pay for what you use. There’s no authentication fee— we only charge for SMS and voice services. Plus, you can save even more with customized pricing and committed spend contracts tailored to your needs.

You won’t have to worry about purchasing or renting phone numbers either. Plivo’s pre-registered phone numbers are available for use without any monthly rental fees, streamlining your setup and reducing costs.

Compliance can often bring extra costs, but not with Plivo. There are no additional fees for regulatory compliance, so you can eliminate the overhead typically associated with compliance registrations.

And when it comes to protecting your messaging with Fraud Shield, there’s no extra cost involved. Plivo includes Fraud Shield at no additional charge, helping to prevent SMS pumping fraud without impacting your budget.

3 key questions to ask multifactor authentication solution providers

Ask potential partners these three questions to figure out which provider is the best fit for your MFA needs.

What authentication methods do you support?

A good MFA provider should be able to support a wide variety of authentication methods—including SMS, email, call, and hardware tokens. 

The more choices you have, the more flexibility you can ultimately offer your customers. For instance, while SMS-based authentication may be easy and quick for some users, others will want to feel more secure using a method like biometrics. This is a case where more is more: the more authentication methods you can offer, the more convenience and security you can offer your customers. 

How do you guarantee data safety and compliance?

With regulations like GDPR and HIPAA in play, you need to be confident that your provider is handling sensitive information properly. Ask about their encryption standards, their storage, and what kind of certifications they have.

For example, if the provider stores any authentication data, it must be  encrypted both in transit and at rest. Ask about how they would handle a possible breach of your data and what controls are in place to prevent such a breach from happening.

Does your platform integrate with our existing tech? 

Ultimately, an MFA’s efficacy is dependent on how well it integrates with your current infrastructure. You’ll want to know how easy it is to integrate MFA with your current tech stack—whether it’s your CRM, ERP, or any custom applications you use. 

Ask about their support for popular platforms and whether they offer APIs or SDKs for custom integrations. For example, is there a native integration with Salesforce, or will you need to build a custom solution? Be sure to consider SSO and other identity management tools. A provider with strong integration capabilities will help you implement MFA efficiently, saving you time and resources in the long run.

At a glance: the 5 best MFA solutions for businesses

Here’s a quick comparison of the five most popular MFA solutions on the market today. 

5 Best MFA solutions for businesses

1. Plivo

Reviews and ratings 

G2: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

Plivo is an easy-to-use, flexible option to implement communication APIs that will suit MFA. It is highly-rated for strong API documentation and great service, making Plivo a good option for developers looking for scalable solutions.

Key features 

• Pre-approved message templates for maximum conversions
• Support for global SMS and voice messaging
• Real-time alerting for delivery reports
• No need to purchase or rent any numbers; use pre-registered numbers
• No compliance fees or extra fees for Fraud Shield

Limitations 

• Does not support some specific advanced authentication methods, like biometric authentication.

Pricing 

• Offers pay-as-you-go model
• The committed-spend contracts for committed volumes help save some money

Who is it best for?

Plivo is ideal for developers and businesses that are looking for the easiest and most cost-effective way to integrate MFA into their applications, thereby avoiding hassle with compliance management and fraud prevention. 

2. Cisco Secure Access by Duo 

Reviews and ratings 

TrustRadius: 9.4 out of 10 stars

Cisco Duo is highly regarded for its comprehensive security features and ease of use, particularly for businesses of all sizes. It’s often recommended for organizations looking to build a zero-trust security framework.

Key features 

• Almost every authentication method is supported, including biometrics.
• Passwordless authentication with push notifications and OTP.
• Seamless service integration with platforms like Office 365 and Fortinet.
• FIDO2, SOC 2, and HIPAA standards are supported.

Limitations 

• Push notification delays may happen, according to several users.
• Certain issues with multi-device login support.

Pricing 

• Starts at $3 per user per month
• 30-day free trial available

Who is it best for?

Cisco Duo is ideal for organizations of all sizes, especially those looking for a reliable, scalable solution to secure user access and integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure.

3. Okta Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication

Reviews and ratings 

Gartner: 4.6 out of 5 stars

Okta’s MFA solution is a leader in the market, especially with its adaptive policies Okta allows better strength in security without frustrating users. It is highly favored by larger enterprises with a need for flexible and scalable identity management.

Key features 

• Context- and behavior-aware adaptive authentication
• Integrations with a vast number of apps and services, including AWS and Slack
• Support for biometric authentication and the ability of users to log in without a password
• The product complies with all major standards, including PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR

Limitations 

• Costlier than some other MFA solutions available in the market
• Some users find the setup too complex 

Pricing 

• Starts at $2 per user per month for businesses
• 30-day free trial available

Who is it best for?

Okta is best for medium-sized enterprises and large corporations that are on the lookout for a fully functional identity management solution with top-notch security management and high integration capabilities.

4. Onelogin Workforce Identity 

Reviews and ratings

G2: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

OneLogin is one of the most popular MFA providers out there. It’s appreciated for its extensive app integrations and ease of use. In particular, users like OneLogin’s workforce identity and access management features deployed in the cloud or on-premises.

Key features 

• Huge app catalog with over 6,000 integrations
• Multiple-directory identity management synchronization
• Adaptive MFA and SSO for internal and external users
• User and application lifecycle management

Limitations 

• Users sometimes complain of integration and implementation difficulties
• Can be too complex for smaller businesses

Pricing 

• Pricing varies according to deployment and usage needs
• 30-day free trial available

Who is it best for?

OneLogin is a great fit for SMBs and enterprises looking for a comprehensive workforce identity solution that includes robust MFA, SSO, and extensive app integrations.

5. Microsoft Entra ID

Reviews and ratings 

G2: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Microsoft Entra ID is great for businesses that are already operating within the Microsoft 365 environment. The MFA provider is said to be relatively easy to set up and manage for enterprise businesses.

Key features 

• Different ways of authentication from Windows Hello to FIDO2 to SMS
• Thousands of SaaS applications and internal applications can be integrated
• Conditional access policies dependent on the user and device risk
• Easy to use by both the user and admin, especially in Microsoft environments

Limitations

• Best suits organizations that offer their services through Microsoft services
• Will ultimately require you to purchase licenses for advanced capabilities 

Pricing 

• Part of Microsoft 365 pricing; additional charges may apply for advanced features
• 30-day free trial available

Who is it best for?

Microsoft Entra ID is best for organizations heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, offering seamless integration and strong security features that enhance the overall identity management experience.

Take your security to the next level with a modern MFA solution provider

Regardless of the size of your customer base, MFA is one of the most fundamental security tools you can incorporate into your infrastructure. 

The use cases for it are versatile: whether it's customer logins, storing sensitive data, or accessing your internal systems, MFA provides a strong, nimble layer of security. It's critical to preventing unauthorized access, reducing breach risk, and ensuring adherence to industry regulations. Besides, MFA demonstrates to customers that you take their security seriously. 

Considering the digital environment and its associated emerging risks, including MFA is not merely a desirability but a prerequisite. And with providers like Plivo, setting up MFA is pretty easy and very affordable. All businesses, regardless of their size, can provide good security without sacrificing the user experience. Be it protection of global communications, user authentication, or compliance management, Plivo's versatile features prove very handy in securing your platform effectively.

Request a trial with Plivo.