CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Descope vs Yubico

Descope sells the Descope customer and agentic IAM platform, which uses visual workflows, SDKs, and APIs to create and customize identity journeys for customers, partners, AI agents, and MCP servers. Yubico offers the YubiKey, a phishing-resistant, FIPS 140-3 validated key for multi-factor and passwordless authentication. CISO Tribune files both under Passwordless authentication and authenticators. This page sets the two records side by side: what each sells, where it is based, who owns and funds it, the customers it names and its recent news, each fact numbered to its source.

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  • Descope
  • Yubico
Descope vs Yubico: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
DescopeDescope sells the Descope customer and agentic IAM platform, which uses visual workflows, SDKs, and APIs to create and customize identity journeys for customers, partners, AI agents, and MCP servers.descope.comYubicoYubico offers the YubiKey, a phishing-resistant, FIPS 140-3 validated key for multi-factor and passwordless authentication.yubico.com
What it sells
  • Descope Flows[1][13]A visual, workflow-based identity journey builder.
  • Agentic Identity Hub[2][5][13]Identity infrastructure for AI agents and MCP servers.
  • SSO Setup Suite[13]A self-service wizard to configure SSO and SCIM.
  • YubiKey 5 Series[5][7][8][13]The YubiKey 5 Series uses multi-protocol capabilities that can secure legacy and modern systems.
  • YubiKey Bio Series[5][7]YubiKey Bio Series supports biometric authentication using fingerprint recognition for passwordless logins.
  • Security Key Series[5][7][11][13]The Security Key Series by Yubico delivers FIDO-only security keys for both consumers and enterprises.
  • Yubico Authenticator[5][7][10][13]The Yubico Authenticator app lets users store credentials on a YubiKey and not on a mobile phone.
  • YubiKey as a Service[8][11]YubiKey as a Service is a subscription for organizations.
Categories
Headquarters
Not stated on its pagesStockholm, Sweden[2]
Founded
Not stated on its pages2007[2]
Ownership and funding
Not stated on its pagesPublic (Nasdaq First North Growth Market Stockholm: YUBICO)[3][5][11]
Named customers
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Recent news
  • October 28, 2026Descope announced it was named to the 2026-27 Fortune Cyber 60 list in the early growth category, its fourth consecutive year on the list.[22]
  • September 30, 2026Descope announced Family Accounts, the first release in its relational identity framework for consumer companies.[23]
  • May 26, 2026Yubico announced that its upgraded YubiKey 5 FIPS Series is now FIPS 140-3 validated under certificate 5291.[15]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: listed, seen November 3, 2026[11]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
Who it fits
From its own pages, Descope sells mainly to organizations that need identity for external users such as customers and partners. Descope says its platform helps meet B2B enterprise requirements across authentication, SSO, delegated admin, fine-grained access, and auditability. Descope addresses teams that build AI agents and MCP servers. Descope says its FedRAMP High environment serves US government and regulated customers.From its own pages, Yubico sells its Security Key Series to both consumers and enterprises. Within organizations, the Security Key Series is aimed at systems and applications that support FIDO, including mobile-restricted or shared workstation environments. Yubico addresses defense and civilian agencies, offering DOD approved multi-factor authentication for workers who are not PIV/CAC eligible, air-gapped or closed networks, privileged users and remote workers. Government elections and political campaigns are addressed for access to voter registration databases, election management and reporting systems and e-pollbooks. Computer login choices are offered to both organizations and individuals.
Last verified
October 7, 2026September 27, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Descope and Yubico are both filed under Passwordless authentication and authenticators.

Where they differ, field by field

  • Descope's primary category is Customer identity and access management; Yubico's is Passwordless authentication and authenticators.
  • Descope is also filed under Non-human identity security and Workforce IAM and SSO.
  • Descope lists Descope Flows, Agentic Identity Hub and SSO Setup Suite. Yubico lists YubiKey 5 Series, YubiKey Bio Series, Security Key Series, Yubico Authenticator and YubiKey as a Service.
  • Yubico is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Yubico was founded in 2007.
  • Yubico is a public company listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Stockholm as YUBICO.

What it sells: Descope

What Descope Flows does[1][13]
Descope Flows is a visual, workflow-based identity journey builder that keeps login flows out of application code. Descope says signup, login, MFA, SSO, and step-up can be added through a workflow interface. Authentication flows can be changed without touching the codebase.
What Agentic Identity Hub does[2][5][13]
The Agentic Identity Hub publishes the discovery metadata MCP clients use to locate the authorization server, hosts the token and authorization endpoints, and handles user authentication and consent. The Agentic Identity Hub supports Dynamic Client Registration (DCR) and Client ID Metadata Documents (CIMD). The Agentic Identity Hub provides a centralized view of every connected agent, the delegating user, and the tools and scopes they hold.

What it sells: Yubico

What YubiKey 5 Series does[5][7][8][13]
The YubiKey 5 Series uses multi-protocol capabilities that can secure legacy and modern systems. The YubiKey 5 Series supports authentication protocols including FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP, OATH-HOTP, Smart card (PIV) and OpenPGP. The YubiKey 5C NFC combines USB-C and NFC in one key to secure online accounts on mobile and desktops.
What YubiKey Bio Series does[5][7]
YubiKey Bio Series supports biometric authentication using fingerprint recognition for passwordless logins. YubiKey Bio Series stores fingerprint templates in the secure element on the key. YubiKey Bio Series is available in USB-A and USB-C form factors.
What Security Key Series does[5][7][11][13]
The Security Key Series supports only the FIDO2/WebAuthn and FIDO U2F authentication protocols. The Security Key Series works across desktop and mobile with touch or tap-and-go authentication over USB or NFC. Serial numbering on the back of the enterprise Security Key Series keys lets enterprises track distribution and usage.
What Yubico Authenticator does[5][7][10][13]
The Yubico Authenticator app lets users store credentials on a YubiKey and not on a mobile phone. The Yubico Authenticator app can generate codes for logging into services.
What YubiKey as a Service does[8][11]
YubiKey as a Service is a subscription for organizations. The enterprise-ready Security Key Series keys are available exclusively as part of YubiKey as a Service. Twitter turned to YubiEnterprise Delivery and YubiEnterprise Subscription services to distribute YubiKeys across its global workforce.

Questions about Descope and Yubico

What do Descope and Yubico sell?
Descope sells Descope Flows, Agentic Identity Hub and SSO Setup Suite. Yubico sells YubiKey 5 Series, YubiKey Bio Series, Security Key Series, Yubico Authenticator and YubiKey as a Service.
Are Descope and Yubico in the same category?
They share Passwordless authentication and authenticators. Descope's primary category is Customer identity and access management and Yubico's is Passwordless authentication and authenticators.
Where are Descope and Yubico headquartered?
Yubico is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.
When were Descope and Yubico founded?
Yubico was founded in 2007.
Who owns Descope and Yubico?
Yubico is a public company listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Stockholm as YUBICO.
Who are Descope and Yubico sold to?
From its own pages, Descope sells mainly to organizations that need identity for external users such as customers and partners. From its own pages, Yubico sells its Security Key Series to both consumers and enterprises.
What have Descope and Yubico announced recently?
October 28, 2026: Descope announced it was named to the 2026-27 Fortune Cyber 60 list in the early growth category, its fourth consecutive year on the list. May 26, 2026: Yubico announced that its upgraded YubiKey 5 FIPS Series is now FIPS 140-3 validated under certificate 5291.

About Descope

Descope sells the Descope customer and agentic IAM platform, which uses visual workflows, SDKs, and APIs to create and customize identity journeys for customers, partners, AI agents, and MCP servers. Descope says the platform is meant to reduce user friction, prevent account takeover, and give a 360 degree view of customer and agentic identities. Descope says it is powering auth for 1000s of organizations from startups to the Fortune 500. Descope describes itself as a flexible drag & drop customer and agentic identity platform that helps organizations add authentication, authorization, and identity management to their apps, AI agents, and MCP servers. Descope says customers use it for passwordless authentication, SSO, identity federation, strong MFA, fraud prevention, and agentic identity.[1][2][3][12]

Descope says signup, login, MFA, SSO, and step-up can be added with a flexible and easy to use workflow interface. Descope says the frontend experience and backend logic are governed from one workflow. Descope says changes can be made to authentication flows without touching the codebase. Descope Flows is a visual, workflow-based identity journey builder that keeps login flows out of application code. Descope says journeys can be changed without redeploying an app or tinkering with its codebase. Descope lets developers choose no-code workflows, SDKs / APIs, and everything in between.[1][3][13]

Descope says identities can be managed, merged, and synced across the user journey. Descope says granular access control capabilities (RBAC, ReBAC, ABAC) can be added to an app. Descope says end users can manage profiles, users, roles, access keys, audits, and SSO configuration on their own. On security, Descope says strong passwordless authentication reduces the likelihood of phishing and credential stuffing attacks. Descope says MFA can be enforced only for risky logins using native and third-party risk signals. Descope says step-up authentication can be added before sensitive in-app actions. Descope says strong MFA and native and third-party risk signals are used to stop fraud, bots, stuffing, and hijacking attacks.[3][4]

Descope says passwordless auth, A/B testing, and anonymous user tracking can improve onboarding and boost conversions. Descope says its platform helps meet B2B enterprise requirements across authentication, SSO, delegated admin, fine-grained access, and auditability. Descope says tenant-aware IAM can span web, mobile, partner, and third-party apps while connecting with any number of identity providers. Descope describes orchestration across 50+ third-party tools, with just-in-time provisioning and data syncs. Descope says identities across multiple apps and identity providers can be unified in real-time to achieve a 360 customer view. Descope says teams can go passwordless without changing their primary IdP by using OIDC federated authentication.[3][5]

Descope says MCP servers and AI agents can be built with standards-based identity infrastructure: auth, consent, credential management, and more. The Agentic Identity Hub publishes the discovery metadata MCP clients use to locate the authorization server, hosts the token and authorization endpoints, and handles user authentication and consent. The Agentic Identity Hub supports Dynamic Client Registration (DCR) and Client ID Metadata Documents (CIMD). The Agentic Identity Hub provides a centralized view of every connected agent, the delegating user, and the tools and scopes they hold. The SSO Setup Suite is a self-service wizard that enterprise teams can use to configure SSO and SCIM for their own identity providers.[2][3][6][13]

Descope is a FedRAMP High Authorized customer and agentic identity platform that lets organizations serve US government and regulated customers. Descope says customer and agentic identity are covered under a single FedRAMP High authorization. Descope says a typical FedRAMP environment goes live in about 6 to 8 weeks. Descope says data can be kept in a US Gov region, encrypted in transit and at rest.[9]

Descope customer stories show how the platform is used. Navan went live with magic links in four days with Descope. Reco chose Descope to manage enterprise-grade authentication without direct developer intervention. Collectors rolled out Descope across three use cases: admin SSO, consumer brand authentication, and partner federation. WisdomAI joined Descope's startup program in 2023 and now uses the platform for all customer and agentic identity management. Descope acts as the OAuth 2.1 authorization server for the Token Security MCP server. Linktree uses Descope's Outbound Apps to manage the token lifecycle for connections to third-party applications.[12][13][15][16][17][18]

Descope documentation describes security and configuration features. In Descope, refresh token rotation is automatically handled as part of the OAuth 2.0 flow. Descope has automatic reuse detection built in to invalidate refresh tokens if an older refresh token is used to refresh the session token. A Descope project snapshot is a portable export of the Descope project configuration. Descope project snapshots can back up settings, promote changes across environments, or track configuration in source control.[1][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][15][19][20][21]

Descope on the record

Sources

Descope full record

  1. [1]descope.comDescope · descope.com · undated page, accessed October 7, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Crn stellar startups 2025Descope · descope.com · published November 10, 2025 · Tier A
  3. [3]Descope | Customer and Agentic Identity PlatformDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Sign up for Descope | Product HuntDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Descope | No / low code CIAM platformDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Pricing | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Our company | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Security and Privacy with DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Security and Compliance | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]GradRight Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Descope Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features - G2G2 · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier C
  12. [12]WisdomAI Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Token Security Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]FedRAMP High Authorized Identity Platform | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  15. [15]Navan Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]Reco Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  17. [17]Collectors Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  18. [18]Linktree Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  19. [19]Refresh Token Rotation | Descope DocumentationDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  20. [20]Project Snapshot | Descope DocumentationDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  21. [21]Owens & Minor Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  22. [22]Descope Named to Fortune Cyber 60 List for Fourth Consecutive YearDescope · published October 28, 2026 · Tier A
  23. [23]Descope Launches Family Accounts to Model Relational IdentityDescope · published September 30, 2026 · Tier A

Yubico full record

  1. [1]yubico.comYubico · yubico.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Yubico has been approved for listing on nasdaq stockholmYubico · investors.yubico.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Yubico is now trading as yubico on nasdaq in stockholm 2023 09 20Nasdaq · nasdaq.com · published September 20, 2023 · Tier A
  4. [4]USB-A YubiKey 5 Nano Two Factor Security Key - Tray of 50 | YubicoYubico · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Yubico | YubiKey Strong Two Factor AuthenticationYubico · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Solutions to secure your organization | YubicoYubico · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]YubiKeys | Two-Factor Authentication for Secure LoginYubico · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]USB-C YubiKey 5C Two-Factor Security Key | YubicoYubico · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]USB-C YubiKey 5C NFC Two-Factor Security Key | YubicoYubico · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Ease of use | YubicoYubico · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Security Key Series | YubiKeys | YubicoYubico · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Yubico YubiKey 5C Nano FIPS 140-3 | NIST Validated Security Key | USB-CYubico · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Security Key C NFC by Yubico - Tray of 50Yubico · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]YubiHSM 2 v2.4 | Hardware Security Module | USB-AYubico · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  15. [15]Yubico Announces Upgraded YubiKey 5 FIPS Series, Now FIPS 140-3 Validated | YubicoYubico · published May 26, 2026 · Tier A

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