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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: July 6, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated July 6, 2026
Try Akamai freeTry Duo Security freePrice updated 14d agoPrice updated 11d ago

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
Akamai
Akamai
Try free
Duo Security
Duo Security
Try free
Tier 1
Compute
$5/month
Includes
  • 1 vCPU
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 25 GB SSD
  • 1 TB transfer
Duo FreePopular
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Add up to 10 users
  • Strong MFA
  • Seamless integrations
  • Free authenticator app
Tier 2
Dedicated CPUPopular
$36/month
Includes
  • 2 dedicated cores
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 80 GB SSD
  • 4 TB transfer
Duo EssentialsPopular
$3/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Duo Directory
  • Phishing-resistant MFA
  • Complete passwordless authentication
  • Single sign-on
  • Trusted Endpoints
  • Unlimited applications
Tier 3
GPU
$1000/month
Includes
  • RTX 4000 Ada
  • 8 vCPUs
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 640 GB SSD
Duo AdvantagePopular
$6/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Cisco Identity Intelligence (Cross-identity visibility, ISPM, and ITDR)
  • Duo Passport
  • Session theft protection
  • Active Directory Defense
  • Risk-Based Authentication
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

← Swipe to compare plans →

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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

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Akamai if:

  • You need edge security for web applications and public-facing services
  • Akamai's DDoS, WAF, and bot management are the requirements
  • Application access control is handled separately

Choose Duo Security if:

  • You need MFA and Zero Trust access verification for application logins
  • Duo's device trust and adaptive authentication policies protect application access
  • Verifying user identity and device health at login is the priority

Akamai and Duo Security address different security problems. Akamai secures web applications from external threats at the network edge. Duo Security verifies user identity and device health to enforce access control. Both are relevant in a Zero Trust architecture - Akamai at the perimeter, Duo at the authentication layer. They are complementary security tools.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Akamai vs Duo Security

Which is cheaper, Akamai or Duo Security?
As of July 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.
AI Recommendations

Sources

  1. Akamai Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page
  2. Duo Security Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page

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