When looking for a reliable multi-factor authentication (MFA) solution, it’s easy to get lost in the variety of options available on the market. To help navigate these choices, we continue our comparison series by examining how Protectimus stacks up against other well-known authentication vendors.
In this article, we compare Protectimus and RSA. Both companies offer strong authentication solutions, but they approach the problem from different angles. RSA is positioned more broadly as an enterprise authentication and access platform with a strong passwordless and identity-centric direction, while Protectimus focuses on practical MFA flexibility built around open OATH standards, broad deployment choice, and straightforward implementation.
This distinction matters because the right choice often depends less on which vendor is “better” in absolute terms and more on what an organization is trying to achieve. Companies building a broader identity, passwordless, and access ecosystem may lean toward RSA. Companies looking for flexible, standards-based MFA with strong OTP coverage, deployment control, and lower operational complexity may find Protectimus a stronger fit.
Protectimus is based on open OATH standards such as HOTP, TOTP, and OCRA, which can simplify integration, migration, and long-term interoperability. RSA, in contrast, offers a broader enterprise platform with stronger emphasis on phishing-resistant passwordless authentication, federation, and identity workflows across cloud, hybrid, and legacy environments.
1. Server-Side Component
Key Difference:
- RSA offers both cloud and on-premises deployment options as part of a broader enterprise authentication and access portfolio.
- Protectimus offers both a fully cloud-based MFA service and a comprehensive on-premise MFA platform built around the same practical OATH-based approach.
RSA
RSA provides cloud and on-premises authentication solutions for enterprise environments. Its current offering is broader than traditional MFA alone and includes passwordless authentication, SSO, adaptive access, help desk verification, and additional identity-related workflows.
This makes RSA attractive for large organizations with complex authentication requirements, especially those modernizing workforce access across cloud and legacy environments. Its broader scope can be a major advantage for enterprises standardizing access controls across many systems, although it may be more than some companies need if their main goal is to deploy flexible MFA quickly and with lower complexity.
Protectimus
Protectimus offers clients a choice between a Cloud MFA Service and a Self-Hosted On-Premise MFA Platform. This flexibility suits both organizations that want a managed cloud service and companies that need to keep the authentication system inside their own infrastructure.
One of the main advantages of Protectimus is operational simplicity. Both deployment models follow the same practical MFA logic and the same standards-based foundation, which can make implementation, customization, and long-term administration more straightforward for teams that want strong authentication without adopting a broader IAM stack.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Available in cloud | yes | yes |
| Available on-premises | yes | yes |
2. Features
Key Difference:
- RSA focuses more strongly on passwordless access, SSO, adaptive access, and broader enterprise authentication workflows.
- Protectimus provides practical MFA flexibility, SSPR, transaction signing, broad token support, and strong deployment control for mixed cloud and on-premise environments.
RSA
Note: Many advanced RSA capabilities depend on the product tier and the broader access package selected.
- Self-Service for Users. Users can enroll and manage authentication methods independently.
- Single Sign-On (SSO). Supports centralized access to enterprise applications.
- Adaptive Access. Higher-tier plans support contextual and adaptive access policies.
- Help Desk Identity Verification. RSA offers verification workflows aimed at secure recovery and support scenarios.
- Passwordless Authentication. Strong positioning around FIDO2, biometrics, QR-based authentication, and other phishing-resistant methods.
- Delegated Administration. Supports enterprise administration models and centralized policy management.
Protectimus
Note: Protectimus focuses on practical MFA functionality, flexible deployment, open OATH standards, and a wide range of authentication scenarios for both cloud and on-premise environments.
- Self-Service for Users. Users can manage their authentication methods independently through a dedicated portal.
- Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR). Users can securely change or reset their Active Directory passwords and manage OTP tokens from a single portal without contacting the help desk.
- Geographic and Time-Based Access Filters. Allows restricting logins by location and schedule.
- Role-Based Access Control. Apply policies based on user groups or roles.
- CWYS (Confirm What You See). Transaction data signing adds an extra layer of protection by showing transaction data before approval.
- IP Filtering. Granular IP control to allow or block access by address or subnet.
- Policy-Based Adaptive Authentication. Authentication requirements can be adjusted based on configured rules, context, and deployment scenario.
- Passwordless Authentication with DSPA. Administrators can enable OTP-only login for selected users or systems, eliminating dependence on static passwords in supported scenarios.
- Multi-Admin Support and Delegated Authority. Lets you assign different roles and permissions to different admins.
- White Labeling and Customization. Fully customizable interface, emails, and token-related workflows.
- Multi-Tenancy. Suitable for MSPs or organizations with separate branches or environments.
Protectimus also supports user self-service scenarios beyond token enrollment. With SSPR, users can change or reset AD passwords, register, replace, or synchronize OTP tokens, configure PIN protection, and authenticate in the portal using AD credentials, Protectimus password, email OTP, or security questions.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Self-service for users | yes | yes |
| Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) | yes* | yes |
| Geographic filters | limited / policy-based | yes |
| Time-based access filters | not publicly emphasized | yes |
| Adaptive authentication | yes** | yes |
| Role-based access control | yes | yes |
| IP filtering | yes | yes |
| Passwordless authentication | yes | yes |
| Device trust / passwordless device-based login | yes | no |
| Data signing | yes*** | yes |
*Feature availability notes:
- Self-Service Password Reset (RSA): RSA publicly documents password reset and credential management capabilities within its platform, although this feature is not positioned as prominently as Protectimus SSPR for AD password reset plus token management.
- Adaptive authentication (RSA): availability depends on product tier and policy configuration.
- Data signing (RSA): supported in RSA capabilities, but not positioned as directly and prominently as Protectimus OCRA/CWYS workflows.
3. Technologies
Key Difference:
- Protectimus supports all major OATH algorithms, including HOTP, TOTP, and OCRA, and offers transaction signing, programmable tokens, and OTP-based passwordless DSPA scenarios.
- RSA is stronger in modern enterprise passwordless authentication with FIDO2, passkeys, biometrics, QR-based workflows, and broader identity integration.
RSA
- Push-based authentication. Mobile approval through the RSA Authenticator ecosystem.
- FIDO2 and passkeys. Strong support for phishing-resistant authentication and passwordless login.
- Biometrics. Supports device-based biometric authentication.
- OTP and hardware authenticators. Covers software and hardware token scenarios, plus tokenless delivery methods.
- QR-based passwordless flows. Supports modern enterprise authentication workflows.
- SMS / Voice / Email OTP. Available in the current RSA ID Plus lineup.
Protectimus
- Support for all OATH-compliant algorithms (HOTP, TOTP, OCRA). Full compatibility with open industry-standard OTP protocols ensures broad interoperability.
- Transaction signing with OCRA. Adds a strong layer of protection by generating OTPs based on specific transaction data.
- Push authentication. Protectimus supports push-based approval in its mobile authentication ecosystem.
- Passwordless DSPA mode. Supports OTP-only authentication for selected users and systems, removing dependence on static passwords in supported scenarios.
- Reflashable programmable TOTP tokens. Offers hardware tokens that can be securely reprogrammed with new seeds.
- Flexible authentication policy engine. Enforces rules based on IP address, geolocation, time of day, user role, and deployment scenario.
- Multi-channel OTP delivery. Supports mobile app OTPs, push, hardware tokens, SMS, email, and messenger-based delivery.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Asymmetric cryptography / push-based authentication | yes | yes |
| HOTP | yes* | yes |
| TOTP | yes | yes |
| OCRA | not publicly emphasized | yes |
| Passwordless authentication | yes | yes |
| FIDO2 and passkeys | yes | no |
| Programmable hardware OTP tokens | not core positioning | yes |
| Transaction signing | yes** | yes |
4. Authentication methods
Key Differences:
- RSA is stronger in passwordless and phishing-resistant authentication such as FIDO2/WebAuthn passkeys, biometrics, and QR-based flows. It also offers push, OTP, SMS, voice, and email delivery options.
- Protectimus supports a broader range of OATH-based OTP methods, including HOTP, TOTP, OCRA, programmable hardware tokens, messenger-based delivery, push authentication, and OTP-based DSPA passwordless scenarios. It also includes data signing (CWYS) for transaction-level security.
RSA
- Push Authentication:
- RSA offers push approvals through its authenticator app.
- This provides a simple and modern MFA experience for workforce access scenarios.
- OTP Authentication:
- RSA supports OTP through software and hardware authenticators.
- Additional tokenless methods such as SMS, voice, and email are also available in the current product lineup.
- FIDO2 / Passkeys and Biometrics:
- RSA strongly supports phishing-resistant and passwordless authentication.
- These methods are among the platform’s key strengths.
- QR-based Passwordless Authentication:
- RSA includes QR-based passwordless flows for supported enterprise scenarios.
Protectimus
- TOTP/HOTP/OCRA One-Time Passwords:
- Supports all major OATH algorithms: TOTP, HOTP, and OCRA.
- Ensures compatibility with software and hardware OTP tokens.
- Push Authentication:
- Protectimus supports push-based authentication via its mobile app ecosystem.
- Push approvals improve usability while keeping strong authentication flows.
- Passwordless Authentication with DSPA:
- Users can log in with OTP only when the “Allow Passwordless” option is enabled.
- This removes dependence on static passwords in supported scenarios.
- It should be understood as an OTP-based passwordless workflow rather than the same model as FIDO2/passkey-based passwordless authentication.
- SMS Authentication:
- OTPs can be sent via SMS for users without smartphones or hardware tokens.
- Email Authentication:
- OTPs can also be delivered by email as a backup or secondary authentication channel.
- Hardware OTP Tokens:
- Supports hardware TOTP tokens, including programmable and reprogrammable models.
- Protectimus DSPA supports hardware tokens with compatible time intervals.
- OTP Delivery via Messaging Apps:
- Protectimus supports OTP delivery via bots in Telegram, Viber, and Facebook Messenger.
- CWYS / Data Signing:
- Users can confirm exact transaction details before approval.
- This is especially relevant for financial and high-risk workflows.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Push notifications | yes | yes |
| 2FA app (TOTP) | yes | yes |
| Passwordless authentication | yes | yes |
| Hardware HOTP tokens | yes* | yes |
| Hardware TOTP tokens | yes | yes |
| Hardware OCRA tokens | not publicly emphasized | yes |
| Hardware FIDO2 / passkeys | yes | no |
| SMS OTP | yes | yes |
| Email OTP | yes | yes |
| Voice call OTP | yes | no |
| OTP via chatbots in messaging apps | no | yes |
| CWYS / transaction confirmation | yes** | yes |
5. Integration Options
Key Difference:
- RSA focuses more strongly on enterprise integration with federation, SAML 2.0, OIDC, RADIUS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Microsoft environments, and broader IAM workflows.
- Protectimus provides practical integration possibilities across AD, LDAP, RADIUS, Windows Logon, RDP, VPNs, APIs, SDKs, and OATH-compatible custom systems.
RSA
- Federation / SAML 2.0 / OIDC support.
- RADIUS integration.
- AD / LDAP support.
- Windows, macOS, and Linux integration scenarios.
- Microsoft Entra ID and enterprise access use cases.
- API / SDK capabilities for deeper enterprise workflows.
Protectimus
- Comprehensive API & SDK to integrate MFA into cloud or on-premise systems.
- Pre-built integrations for AD, LDAP, ADFS, OWA, Windows Login & RDP, RADIUS, VPNs, Citrix, Roundcube, and other enterprise systems.
- Secures systems compatible with OATH-based MFA algorithms such as HOTP, TOTP, and OCRA.
- DSPA integration for Active Directory, LDAP, and supported databases, including OTP-only passwordless scenarios.
- Offers both cloud-based and on-premise deployment, with flexible integration approaches for different infrastructures.
- Provides public integration documentation and practical setup guides.
All integration-related documentation is openly accessible on the company’s site.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| API | yes | yes |
| SDK | yes | yes |
| Federation / SAML 2.0 / OIDC | yes | not core positioning |
| AD / LDAP | yes | yes |
| Windows Login (Winlogon) and RDP support | yes | yes |
| RADIUS protocol / VPN integration | yes | yes |
| OATH-based custom integrations | not core positioning | yes |
6. Pricing
Key Difference:
- Protectimus is more attractive for organizations looking for a lower entry cost, a free plan, and on-premise licensing flexibility.
- RSA is positioned more as an enterprise authentication and identity platform, with pricing that reflects broader passwordless and IAM capabilities.
RSA
- Cloud IAM: from $3 per user per month.
- Hybrid Auth: from $5 per user per month.
- Entra ID Enhanced: from $6 per user per month.
- Hybrid IAM: from $7 per user per month.
- Higher-tier enterprise plans require contacting sales.
Protectimus
- Pricing starts at $1.45 per user per month.
- Free plan available for up to 10 users.
- On-premise platform starts at $199/month for up to 99 users.
- One-time payment / lifetime license option available for enterprise customers.
Find detailed Protectimus MFA pricing on the pricing page.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | no | yes |
| One-time payment option | not publicly emphasized | yes |
| Cloud service | From $3/user/month. Higher tiers add broader IAM, passwordless, and adaptive capabilities. | From $1.45/user/month. Free plan for up to 10 users. |
| On-premise platform | Available as part of RSA’s broader enterprise offering. Pricing depends on plan and configuration. | From $199/month for up to 99 users. Lifetime license available. |
7. Summary
Both RSA and Protectimus are capable MFA providers, but they are designed with different priorities in mind. RSA is broader and more enterprise-oriented, with strong passwordless capabilities, FIDO2/passkeys, biometrics, QR-based authentication, and a wider identity and access platform focus.
Protectimus stands out with its flexible deployment models, support for open OATH standards, transaction signing with OCRA/CWYS, wide OTP delivery options, and practical user-facing features such as Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR). It also supports push authentication and OTP-based passwordless scenarios through Protectimus DSPA, giving organizations more flexibility in how they balance convenience, security, and infrastructure requirements.
In short, RSA is a stronger fit for organizations looking for a broader enterprise identity and passwordless platform, especially when phishing-resistant authentication, federation, and advanced access workflows are strategic priorities. Protectimus is a stronger choice for companies that need practical, standards-based MFA with more OTP options, lower complexity, and greater deployment control.
Features | | |
1. Server-side component | ||
| Available in the cloud | yes | yes |
| Available on-premises | yes | yes |
2. Features | ||
| Self-service | yes | yes |
| SSPR | yes* | yes |
| Geographic filters | limited / policy-based | yes |
| Time-based access filters | not publicly emphasized | yes |
| Adaptive authentication | yes** | yes |
| Role-based access control | yes | yes |
| IP filtering | yes | yes |
| Passwordless authentication | yes | yes |
| Device trust / passwordless device-based login | yes | no |
| Data signing | yes*** | yes |
3. Technologies | ||
| Asymmetric cryptography / push-based authentication | yes | yes |
| HOTP | yes* | yes |
| TOTP | yes | yes |
| OCRA | not publicly emphasized | yes |
| Passwordless authentication | yes | yes |
| FIDO2 / Passkeys | yes | no |
| Programmable hardware OTP tokens | not core positioning | yes |
| Transaction signing | yes** | yes |
4. Authentication methods | ||
| Push notifications | yes | yes |
| 2FA app | yes | yes |
| Passwordless authentication | yes | yes |
| Hardware HOTP tokens | yes* | yes |
| Hardware TOTP tokens | yes | yes |
| Hardware OCRA tokens | not publicly emphasized | yes |
| Hardware FIDO2 / passkeys | yes | no |
| SMS | yes | yes |
| yes | yes | |
| Voice call OTP | yes | no |
| Chatbots in messengers | no | yes |
| CWYS / transaction confirmation | yes** | yes |
5. Integration | ||
| API | yes | yes |
| SDK | yes | yes |
| Federation / SAML 2.0 / OIDC | yes | not core positioning |
| AD / LDAP | yes | yes |
| RDP and Winlogon integration | yes | yes |
| RADIUS / VPN integrations | yes | yes |
| OATH-based custom integrations | not core positioning | yes |
6. Pricing | ||
| Free for up to 10 users | no | yes |
| One-time payment option | not publicly emphasized | yes |
| Cloud service | From $3/user/month. Higher tiers add broader IAM and passwordless capabilities. | From $1.45/user/month. Free plan for up to 10 users. |
| On-premise platform | Available as part of RSA’s broader enterprise offering. Pricing depends on configuration. | From $199/month for up to 99 users. Lifetime license available. |
Notes for asterisk explanations:
- yes* = available, but not positioned as the main public differentiator of the platform.
- yes** = available depending on product tier or presented less directly than in Protectimus.
- yes*** = supported, but not highlighted as prominently as Protectimus OCRA/CWYS workflows.
Read more
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- The Architecture of Protectimus On-Premise MFA Platform
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