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Akamai vs Duo Security: Pricing Comparison 2026

Side-by-side pricing comparison of Akamai and Duo Security. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.

Bottom line: Duo Security starts at $3/mo, making it $2/mo cheaper than Akamai ($5/mo). Duo Security offers a free plan.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026

Akamai vs Duo Security: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureAkamaiDuo Security
Starting Price$5/mo$3/mo
Number of Plans34
Free TierNoYes
Pricing Modelusage-basedper-seat
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Duo Security is the more affordable option, starting at $3/mo compared to Akamai's $5/mo. Both are Security tools with 7 combined pricing plans and 30 features compared. At comparable tiers, the monthly price difference is $36.

Duo Security stands out with a free plan for getting started. Akamai uses usage-based pricing while Duo Security uses per-seat pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.

Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Security needs.

Pricing Plans
Duo Security
Duo Security
Try it free
Tier 1
Compute
$5/month
Includes
  • 1 vCPU
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 25 GB SSD
  • 1 TB transfer
Start with Compute
Duo FreePopular
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Add up to 10 users
  • Strong MFA
  • Seamless integrations
  • Free authenticator app
Start with Duo Free
Tier 2
Dedicated CPUPopular
$36/month
Includes
  • 2 dedicated cores
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 80 GB SSD
  • 4 TB transfer
Start with Dedicated CPU
Duo EssentialsPopular
$3/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Duo Directory
  • Phishing-resistant MFA
  • Complete passwordless authentication
  • Single sign-on
  • Trusted Endpoints
  • Unlimited applications
Start with Duo Essentials
Tier 3
GPU
$1000/month
Includes
  • RTX 4000 Ada
  • 8 vCPUs
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 640 GB SSD
Start with GPU
Duo AdvantagePopular
$6/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Cisco Identity Intelligence (Cross-identity visibility, ISPM, and ITDR)
  • Duo Passport
  • Session theft protection
  • Device health checks
  • Risk-Based Authentication
Start with Duo Advantage
Tier 4
Duo PremierPopular
$9/monthCheapest
Includes
  • A comprehensive package for complete Zero Trust access
  • VPN-less remote access to private resources
  • Complete device trust with endpoint protection check
Start with Duo Premier

Swipe to compare plans →

Akamai

Enterprise CDN, web security, and cloud delivery platform

View all Akamai plans

Duo Security

Multi-factor authentication and secure access by Cisco

View all Duo Security plans
Our Pick

Duo Security

Duo Security offers a free plan, starts at $2/mo lower ($3/mo vs $5/mo), offers 4 tiers vs 3.

Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.

Best value: Duo Security

Try Duo Security free

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Akamai if:

  • You prioritize Akamai's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
  • Akamai's 3-tier usage-based structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning
  • Akamai's focused feature set keeps your team in control without tool bloat

Choose Duo Security if:

  • You want lower per-user costs—Duo Security starts at $3/mo, saving $2/mo compared to Akamai at $5/mo
  • You need a free plan with Add up to 10 users, Strong MFA—Duo Security offers no-cost access with no credit card required
  • You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
  • You want more features built-in—Duo Security offers 6 additional features across its plans

Duo Security is the more affordable choice [1], starting at $3/mo compared to Akamai's $5/mo. For a 50-person team on paid plans, this translates to Duo Security saving approximately $100/month. Duo Security offers 4 pricing tiers compared to Akamai's 3, giving you more granular control over scaling costs as your team grows. Across all tiers, Duo Security provides 18 total features versus 12 for Akamai, offering a richer feature set depending on your specific needs. If controlling SaaS spend is a priority, Duo Security offers the better cost-to-value ratio. Consider Akamai only if its unique capabilities directly address a gap Duo Security cannot fill.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Akamai vs Duo Security

Which is cheaper, Akamai or Duo Security?
As of March 2026, Duo Security starts at a lower price point. Akamai starts at $5/mo while Duo Security starts at $3/mo. However, the best value depends on the features you need at each tier.
How many pricing plans does Akamai have vs Duo Security?
Akamai offers 3 pricing plans, while Duo Security offers 4 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Akamai or Duo Security offer a free plan?
Duo Security offers a free plan, while Akamai does not. If budget is a concern, Duo Security lets you get started at no cost.
What is the most popular Akamai plan?
The Dedicated CPU plan is Akamai's most popular tier, priced at $36/mo. Key features include 2 dedicated cores, 4 GB RAM, 80 GB SSD.
What is the most popular Duo Security plan?
The Duo Free plan is Duo Security's most popular tier, priced at Free. Key features include Add up to 10 users, Strong MFA, Seamless integrations.
What pricing models do Akamai and Duo Security use?
Akamai uses a usage-based pricing model, while Duo Security uses per-seat pricing. The right model depends on your team size and usage patterns.
How do Akamai and Duo Security compare for Security?
Both Akamai and Duo Security are Security tools. Akamai offers 3 plans starting at $5/mo, while Duo Security offers 4 plans starting at $3/mo. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Security needs.

Sources

  1. Akamai Official PricingVendor pricing page
  2. Duo Security Official PricingVendor pricing page

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