Duo (Cisco)
live verifiedCisco · Per-user tiered. Free tier covers up to 10 users.
Duo's strength is MFA-first identity assurance, less full IdP feature parity. Often paired with Entra or Okta as an MFA layer rather than as the primary IdP. Premier tier integrates tightly with Cisco's broader security stack.
1.Year-1 TCO breakdown
Representative buyer: 200 employees, 30 SaaS apps, full SAML + MFA + lifecycle automation, 90-day audit retention.
2.The hidden cost category for this IdP
**Tie-in to the broader Cisco stack is the silent cost driver.** Duo is a Cisco product (acquired 2018); the full security value comes from integration with Cisco's wider platform (Cisco XDR / Security Cloud), which is separately licensed — SecureX, the prior free integration layer, reached end-of-life in July 2024. Standalone Duo is the MFA-and-SSO entry point; expanding to the full Cisco security stack adds significant cost. Buyers who want only the IdP function may find Duo overpriced for what it does without the broader Cisco ecosystem.
3.Migration cost out of Duo (Cisco)
Migration off Duo is among the simpler in the cohort because Duo's SAML implementation is standard and SCIM is straightforward. Cost $40K-$120K for 200-employee deployment.
4.The negotiation lever
Cisco bundling. If you already buy Cisco networking / security products, Duo can be negotiated into the Enterprise Agreement at favourable terms. Standalone Duo customers have less leverage.
5.Vendor tier reference
| Tier | Per-user (USD/mo) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 10 users — MFA only |
| Essentials | $3 | SSO + MFA, basic policies |
| Advantage | $6 | Adds risk-based auth, device health |
| Premier | $9 | Adds full device trust + Cisco Secure Endpoint integration |