When you want strong, phishing resistant authentication, two popular options often come up: the YubiKey 5 Series and the YubiKey Bio. Both offer a secure way to protect your accounts, but they are designed for slightly different types of users.
This guide explains the differences in simple terms so you can choose the right key for your needs at work or at home.
Feature comparison: YubiKey 5 Series vs YubiKey Bio
Use this side by side comparison to quickly see how the YubiKey 5 Series and YubiKey Bio differ.
| Feature | YubiKey 5 Series | YubiKey Bio |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication methods | FIDO2, WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Smart Card (PIV), OTP, OpenPGP, Challenge Response | FIDO2, WebAuthn, FIDO U2F |
| Biometric login | No | Yes, fingerprint sensor |
| How the fingerprint works | Not applicable | Fingerprint is used to unlock the key in place of entering the FIDO2 PIN. The underlying FIDO2 security model is the same as other YubiKeys. |
| After failed fingerprint attempts | Not applicable | After three unsuccessful fingerprint attempts the key falls back to PIN authentication. |
| Supports passwordless login | Yes | Yes |
| Multi protocol support | Very broad support for enterprise and advanced use cases | FIDO only for a simpler and more focused setup |
| Connectivity options | USB A, USB C, NFC (model dependent) | USB A, USB C |
| NFC support | Yes on YubiKey 5 NFC and YubiKey 5C NFC | No |
| Durability | Extremely durable, crush resistant, waterproof | Durable, but includes a fingerprint sensor and is not waterproof |
| Typical price | Lower price point | Higher price point due to the biometric sensor |
| Overall | Most versatile choice for personal and enterprise use | More convenient and faster to use, but not more secure than the YubiKey 5 Series. |
Understanding each product family
YubiKey 5 Series: the most versatile choice
The YubiKey 5 Series is the most flexible option available from Yubico. It supports many different authentication methods, which means it works across an extremely wide range of applications, tools and platforms.
If you want one key that can handle everything from personal accounts to enterprise systems, the YubiKey 5 Series is usually the best starting point.
Best for
- IT professionals and security conscious users
- Businesses with compliance requirements
- People who need NFC support for mobile devices
- Developers and power users with advanced workflows
Why people choose it
- Maximum compatibility across services and platforms
- Support for Smart Card, OTP and OpenPGP
- Extremely durable and waterproof design
- Lower cost compared to YubiKey Bio
Ready to see the available models? Browse the YubiKey 5 Series.
YubiKey Bio: convenience with fingerprint login
The YubiKey Bio adds a fingerprint sensor so you can authenticate with your fingerprint instead of entering a PIN. This creates a very fast and convenient login experience, especially for users who sign in many times a day.
How the fingerprint relates to the FIDO2 PIN
The fingerprint on the YubiKey Bio does not replace the underlying FIDO2 security model. It acts as a biometric gate in front of the FIDO2 PIN. When your fingerprint is verified, the key unlocks and performs the same secure FIDO authentication that any other YubiKey would.
After three unsuccessful fingerprint attempts the Bio will require the FIDO2 PIN. This means the Bio is not more secure than the YubiKey 5 Series or the Security Key Series. It is simply faster and more convenient to use in day to day life because you can tap your fingerprint instead of typing a PIN.
Best for
- Users who prefer fingerprint based login
- Passwordless first organisations
- Employees who log in frequently throughout the day
- Office and knowledge worker environments
Why people choose it
- Quick biometric login with a familiar fingerprint experience
- Easy to use for non technical users
- Simple, focused support for FIDO2 and WebAuthn
Interested in fingerprint based security keys? Explore the YubiKey Bio Series.
Which one should you buy
Choose the YubiKey 5 Series if you want:
- The widest compatibility across apps and services
- NFC support for mobile phones and tablets
- Support for Smart Card, OTP and OpenPGP
- A lower cost key with maximum flexibility
- A rugged, waterproof device for everyday carry
Choose the YubiKey Bio if you want:
- Fingerprint convenience instead of typing a PIN each time
- Fast sign in throughout the workday
- A simple, focused security setup for end users
- A key that falls back to PIN after three failed fingerprint attempts
In short, choose the YubiKey 5 Series for versatility and compatibility, and choose the YubiKey Bio for convenience and speed of use. Many customers use both, with a Bio key for everyday login and a 5 Series key as a durable backup.
Not sure which model suits you best? Contact the Trust Panda team for tailored advice.
Use cases
YubiKey 5 Series use cases
- Protecting Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, AWS, GitHub and other work accounts
- Smart Card and PIV environments
- Mobile authentication with NFC on supported devices
- Email signing and encryption
- Developers using SSH, GPG or OTP workflows
- Organisations with mixed applications and compliance requirements
YubiKey Bio use cases
- Fingerprint based workstation and browser login
- Passwordless rollouts for employees
- Users who want a very fast and convenient login method
- Office environments with frequent sign ins
Frequently asked questions
Is the YubiKey Bio more secure than the YubiKey 5 Series
No. The YubiKey Bio adds convenience through fingerprint login. Underneath, it uses the same FIDO2 security model as other YubiKeys. The fingerprint simply replaces the need to type the PIN until there are three failed attempts, at which point the key falls back to PIN entry.
Does the YubiKey Bio support NFC
No. The YubiKey Bio models are USB only. If you need NFC support, choose the YubiKey 5 NFC or YubiKey 5C NFC.
Should I have two keys
Yes. We recommend at least one primary key and one backup key so that you are not locked out if a key is lost or damaged. Many customers combine a YubiKey Bio for everyday use with a YubiKey 5 Series key as a backup.
Does the Bio work with all services
The YubiKey Bio works with services that support FIDO2 or WebAuthn. If you need OTP, PIV or OpenPGP support, you should choose the YubiKey 5 Series instead.
Which key is better for business use
Most businesses start with the YubiKey 5 Series because it works with more systems and covers more use cases. Some organisations add YubiKey Bio devices for staff who benefit from very fast fingerprint based sign in.
Ready to get started Shop the YubiKey 5 Series or shop the YubiKey Bio Series.
