Best FIDO2 Smartcards for Enterprise Authentication in 2025

For decades, smartcards have served as the bedrock of high-assurance identity within government and enterprise sectors. Their secure, tamper-resistant hardware has been the trusted foundation for controlling access to critical systems and facilities. However, the modern enterprise landscape, characterized by rapid cloud adoption and the pervasive threat of sophisticated phishing attacks, presents challenges that traditional authentication methods struggle to counter effectively. In response, the technology industry has rallied around a new set of standards, FIDO2 (Fast Identity Online), and its user-friendly implementation known as "passkeys," to deliver truly phishing-resistant, passwordless authentication.

FIDO2 smartcards exist at the strategic intersection of these two worlds. They represent not merely a new type of credential but a powerful tool for convergence. These cards allow a single physical token to secure both legacy systems dependent on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)—such as workstation login and VPN access—and modern web applications that leverage FIDO2. In many cases, the same card can also manage physical building access, unifying an organization's entire security posture onto one credential.

This report provides a detailed analysis for IT decision-makers and security architects, answering the key questions that arise when selecting a FIDO2 smartcard solution in 2025:

1. What are the core technologies behind a FIDO2 smartcard?

2. Which are the best FIDO2 smartcards available for enterprise use?

3. Do FIDO2 smartcards replace traditional PKI-based smartcards?

4. How do FIDO2 smartcards compare to platform-based passkeys on phones and laptops?

5. Which FIDO2 smartcard is the right choice for specific enterprise needs?

Note on Scope: Certifications, interface options, and integrated physical access technologies can vary significantly by stock keeping unit (SKU) even within the same product family. It is imperative to verify the exact part number against your organization's requirements before procurement.

A FIDO2 smartcard is a credit-card-sized (ID-1) device containing a secure cryptographic chip, often called a secure element. This chip functions as a FIDO2 authenticator, designed to generate and store cryptographic private keys directly on the card. This architecture ensures that the private keys are never exposed to the host computer or any network, forming the basis of its security model. These cards typically feature both a contact interface (compliant with ISO/IEC 7816) for use with traditional smartcard readers and a contactless Near Field Communication (NFC) interface (compliant with ISO/IEC 14443) for tapping against laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.

Key Standards Explained

To make an informed decision, it is essential to understand the array of standards these hybrid devices support.

• FIDO2 (Fast Identity Online): This is not a single technology but an open set of standards developed by the FIDO Alliance to replace passwords with authentication methods that are stronger, simpler, and more secure. The FIDO2 project consists of two main components:

  • WebAuthn (Web Authentication): A World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standard, WebAuthn is an application programming interface (API) that allows web browsers and applications to communicate with FIDO2 authenticators. It is the software layer that enables passwordless login on websites.

  • CTAP2 (Client to Authenticator Protocol 2): CTAP2 is the protocol that enables communication between a host device (like a laptop or smartphone) and an external authenticator (like a FIDO2 smartcard). This communication occurs over physical interfaces such as a contact reader, NFC, or USB.

• PKI (Public Key Infrastructure): PKI is a comprehensive system for creating, managing, distributing, and revoking digital certificates. These certificates serve to bind public keys to specific identities, such as a person or a device. Unlike FIDO, PKI relies on a hierarchical and centralized trust model anchored by a trusted third party known as a Certificate Authority (CA). The CA digitally signs certificates, vouching for the identity of the holder, and services trust this signature. PKI's primary enterprise use cases include Windows smartcard logon via Certificate-Based Authentication (CBA), digital document signing, and S/MIME email encryption.

• Personal Identity Verification (PIV): PIV is a U.S. federal government standard, defined in NIST FIPS 201, for a high-assurance identity credential issued to federal employees and contractors. In the commercial sector, a "PIV-compatible" smartcard is one that implements the specific data model and PKI certificate profiles defined by the PIV standard. This compatibility makes it natively supported for smartcard logon on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.

• Initiative for Open Authentication (OATH): OATH is an open standard focused on generating one-time passwords (OTPs). It is the basis for both time-based (TOTP) and HMAC-based (HOTP) algorithms. Some hybrid smartcards include an OATH applet to provide backward compatibility with legacy systems, such as VPNs, that still rely on OTPs for authentication.

Security Certifications Demystified

The security of a smartcard is validated through rigorous, independent testing programs. Two certifications are paramount in this domain:

• FIPS 140-2/3 (Federal Information Processing Standard): This is a U.S. government standard that specifies the security requirements for cryptographic modules. A FIPS 140-2 or the newer 140-3 certification signifies that a smartcard's cryptographic chip has been formally tested and validated by government-accredited labs for its security, integrity, and tamper-resistance. This certification is often a mandatory requirement for deployment in government, defense, and other high-security sectors.

• Common Criteria (CC) Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL): The Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408) is an international standard for computer security certification. The EAL is a numerical rating from 1 to 7 that describes the depth and rigor of the security evaluation. A higher rating, such as EAL5+ or EAL6+, indicates that the product has undergone a more strenuous process of design verification, testing, and analysis, providing a higher level of confidence in its security claims.

A common point of confusion is whether FIDO is simply another form of PKI. While both technologies are built on the principles of asymmetric (public/private key) cryptography, their underlying trust models are fundamentally different and serve distinct purposes. PKI employs a centralized trust model where a Certificate Authority acts as a trusted intermediary to vouch for an identity. A service verifies a user's identity by trusting the CA that issued their certificate. In stark contrast, FIDO uses a decentralized trust model. During registration with a new service, the FIDO authenticator generates a unique key pair specifically for that service. The service then trusts that public key directly, without any intermediary CA. This direct, per-service relationship is what makes FIDO inherently privacy-preserving (preventing user tracking across different sites) and significantly simpler to deploy for web-based authentication.

The smartcards selected for this review are those where FIDO2 is a primary, well-documented feature designed for enterprise-scale deployment. This methodology prioritizes products with clear technical documentation, robust management software support, and confirmed market availability in 2025.

The HID Crescendo C2300 is positioned as the quintessential solution for large enterprises aiming to unify physical and logical access onto a single, converged corporate badge. It is a pragmatic, multi-protocol credential designed for organizations with significant investments in both legacy PKI systems and modern cloud infrastructure.

The C2300's primary strength lies in its extensive multi-protocol support, acting as a "Swiss Army knife" for enterprise authentication. It provides robust capabilities for FIDO2/WebAuthn, PKI (in a PIV-compatible configuration), and optional OATH for OTP generation. This versatility allows a single card to facilitate passwordless sign-in to cloud applications, secure Windows logon, digitally sign documents, and authenticate to legacy VPNs.

Its key differentiator is the deep integration with Physical Access Control Systems (PACS), which are electronic systems that control entry to buildings and secure areas. Specific SKUs of the C2300 can be ordered with a wide range of embedded PACS technologies, including modern standards like Seos and iCLASS SE, as well as legacy systems like MIFARE DESFire and Prox. This enables a true "one-badge" solution, but requires careful verification of the exact part number to ensure compatibility with an organization's existing door reader infrastructure. For assurance, the card's cryptographic module is FIPS 140-2 certified and has been evaluated against Common Criteria at EAL5+. For large-scale deployments, the C2300 integrates with credential management systems like HID WorkforceID, providing centralized control over issuance, updates, and revocation.

The ideal use case for the Crescendo C2300 is an enterprise seeking a single credential to manage building access, Windows smartcard logon, legacy system authentication, and modern passwordless SSO to cloud services like Microsoft Entra ID.

The Thales SafeNet IDPrime series is tailored for organizations with a deep-rooted PKI infrastructure, particularly those in regulated industries like finance and government that require high-assurance credentials and are looking to layer on FIDO2 and on-card biometric capabilities.

The product line is split into two main categories. The SafeNet IDPrime 3930/3940 FIDO cards are robust hybrid credentials built on a Java Card platform, combining powerful PKI and FIDO applets. These cards are FIPS 140-2 certified and are built around a secure element that is CC EAL6+ certified, placing them at the highest end of security assurance. They are designed for environments where PKI is the primary technology but a bridge to modern FIDO authentication is required.

The SafeNet IDPrime FIDO Bio Smart Card is a distinct and innovative model that adds a critical feature: an on-card fingerprint sensor. This enables "match-on-card" biometric verification, where a user's fingerprint template is securely enrolled, stored, and verified directly on the card's secure element. The biometric data never leaves the card, offering the highest level of privacy and security by ensuring the person presenting the credential is its legitimate owner. This model is ideal for organizations looking to eliminate PINs and enforce a biometric factor of authentication at the credential level.

The Thales portfolio is an excellent fit for PKI-heavy organizations that want to add phishing-resistant FIDO2 authentication for web services, with the IDPrime FIDO Bio offering a premium option to enforce strong biometric user verification directly on the card.

The FEITIAN Biometric Fingerprint Card is a purpose-built solution for organizations that are prioritizing a seamless, biometric, and passwordless user experience for web and cloud applications. Its design philosophy is centered on simplicity and strong, user-friendly authentication.

The core feature of this card is its integrated fingerprint sensor, which facilitates match-on-card verification. This design allows users to authenticate to FIDO2-enabled services with a simple touch, completely eliminating the need to enter a PIN through a connected reader. The card supports both the modern FIDO2 standard and its predecessor, U2F, ensuring broad compatibility with a wide range of online services. While FEITIAN is also known for its extensive line of BioPass USB security keys, this specific product is an ID-1 form factor card. Architecturally, it is a dual-interface (contact and contactless) card that is batteryless, drawing power from the NFC field or contact reader during the transaction.

This card is best suited for a cloud-native company or a specific department aiming to deploy a simple, highly secure, biometric-only passkey in a familiar card form factor for web service authentication, without the added complexity of managing PKI credentials.

TrustSEC offers what is arguably the most flexible and integration-friendly pathway for organizations with established smartcard programs, particularly those built on the Java Card open platform.

Its unique selling point is the FIDO2 Java Card applet. This is a software component that can be securely loaded onto an organization's existing, compatible Java Card-based smartcards. This approach can be transformative for large enterprises or government agencies that have already deployed millions of cards for PKI or other functions. By deploying a new applet instead of re-issuing new physical hardware, organizations can add modern FIDO2 capabilities with enormous savings in cost and logistical effort.

For organizations undertaking new deployments, TrustSEC also provides complete, pre-provisioned FIDO2 smartcards. These are available in standard configurations as well as a biometric variant that includes an on-card fingerprint sensor for match-on-card verification.

The ideal scenario for TrustSEC's offering, especially the applet, is a large organization that needs to add FIDO2 support to its existing smartcard estate in the most cost-effective and least disruptive manner possible.

The AuthenTrend ATKey.Card NFC is a modern, biometric-first smartcard that also addresses critical enterprise and government requirements by offering PIV compatibility. It aims to deliver a best-of-both-worlds experience, combining a user-friendly biometric interface with support for legacy PKI systems.

The card features a prominent fingerprint sensor for match-on-card verification, enabling a simple and secure "bio-tap" experience for FIDO2 authentication flows. Crucially, specific SKUs of the ATKey.Card include a PIV applet, which allows the card to store X.509 certificates and function as a traditional smartcard for certificate-based logon to Windows and macOS workstations. This PIV capability makes it a direct competitor to the hybrid offerings from HID and Thales.

As a dual-interface (NFC and contact) card, it is designed for broad compatibility with PCs, laptops, and mobile devices. The vendor provides documentation for its integration with cloud identity providers like Microsoft Entra ID for passwordless sign-in.

The ATKey.Card is an excellent choice for an organization that wants to lead its authentication strategy with a modern, biometric passwordless experience for its users but must also maintain backward compatibility with legacy systems that require PIV-based smartcard logon.

The Token2 T2F2-NFC-Card is positioned as the go-to choice for large-scale, budget-conscious deployments where the primary objective is to provision standards-compliant FIDO2 passkeys to a large user base efficiently and affordably.

Its standout technical feature is the capacity to store up to 300 resident keys (also known as discoverable credentials or passkeys) on a single card. This is significantly higher than many other authenticators and is ideal for users, such as developers or system administrators, who need to access a large and diverse set of online services. The card fully supports the FIDO2.1 and CTAP2 standards, ensuring broad compatibility with all major platforms and browsers.

The "Release 3" version of the card adds further value by including an OpenPGP applet. This is a valuable feature for technical users, developers, and security professionals who rely on the OpenPGP standard for encrypting emails, signing code, or other cryptographic tasks. For user verification, the card relies on a PIN entered via the host device's reader interface, as it does not have an integrated biometric sensor.

This card is perfectly suited for deploying FIDO2 authenticators to a large workforce, student body, or contractor pool where cost is a primary driver and on-card biometrics are not a mandatory requirement.

The BoBeePass FIDO 2nd Gen card from SmartDisplayer is the most technologically ambitious credential in this lineup, pushing the boundaries of connectivity within the standard ID-1 form factor.

Its most unique feature is its 3-in-1 connectivity, incorporating NFC, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and a physical USB port directly on the card itself. This multi-transport design is powered by an internal rechargeable battery and aims to provide universal connectivity across desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. The card also includes an embedded fingerprint sensor for match-on-card biometric verification and has achieved FIDO2 Level 2 (L2) certification, a higher tier of security validation from the FIDO Alliance that attests to the strength of its design and operating environment.

However, the promise of universal connectivity comes with a significant platform-specific caveat. While technologically impressive, the utility of its BLE transport is nullified on Apple devices, as iOS and iPadOS do not support FIDO authentication over BLE. Furthermore, iPads do not support FIDO authentication over NFC, limiting its contactless use on those devices to a contact reader or a direct USB connection. Therefore, its "3-in-1" functionality is not universally applicable, a critical consideration for any organization with a significant presence of Apple devices.

The BoBeePass is best suited for a forward-looking organization, likely in a predominantly Windows and Android environment, that values FIDO L2 certification and wants to explore the potential of multi-transport credentials.

Choosing the right authentication technology is a strategic decision that depends on an organization's specific use cases, threat models, and existing IT infrastructure. The following comparison provides a clear framework for evaluating the distinct roles of FIDO2 smartcards, traditional PKI smartcards, and the increasingly popular platform-based passkeys.

Analysis and Elaboration

The enduring role of PKI is rooted in its ability to serve functions beyond simple user authentication. FIDO2 is designed to answer the question, "Are you who you say you are?" PKI, through digital signatures, is designed to provide attestation and non-repudiation, answering the question, "Did you authorize this specific action?". These are fundamentally different security functions, which is why many enterprises, especially in regulated industries, require both. Modern identity providers like Microsoft Entra ID acknowledge this by supporting both FIDO2 and Certificate-Based Authentication (CBA) as parallel, phishing-resistant sign-in methods.

The rise of platform passkeys, seamlessly integrated into operating systems by Apple, Google, and Microsoft, offers unparalleled convenience for users. However, this convenience comes at the cost of enterprise control. The critical distinction for an enterprise is between synced passkeys and device-bound passkeys. Platform passkeys are typically synced via a user's personal cloud account (e.g., iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager). This means a passkey created for a corporate account on a managed work laptop could automatically sync to an employee's personal, unmanaged tablet at home. For any high-security environment, this loss of control over the authenticator's location and lifecycle is an unacceptable risk.

FIDO2 smartcards solve this problem by providing a high-assurance, device-bound passkey. The cryptographic key is physically and logically tied to the corporate-issued card. IT security teams control the issuance, management, and revocation of this physical token, providing a level of auditability and control that is impossible to achieve with synced passkeys. This makes device-bound authenticators like smartcards essential for securing shared workstations, managing privileged access, and operating in air-gapped or highly regulated environments.

The direct answer is no; FIDO2 smartcards do not replace traditional PKI smartcards wholesale. Instead, they represent an evolution, integrating new capabilities to address modern threats while coexisting with established technologies. The relationship is one of complementarity, not replacement.

The primary function of FIDO2 is to replace the password prompt during the authentication process. In this capacity, it is a direct and vastly superior alternative to knowledge-based secrets, offering strong resistance to phishing, credential stuffing, and other common attacks. It modernizes the login experience for web and cloud applications, making it both more secure and more user-friendly.

However, FIDO2 was not designed to address the broader set of cryptographic functions that PKI has handled for decades. Use cases such as legally binding digital signatures on documents, S/MIME for encrypted and signed emails, and certain types of machine-to-machine authentication are built upon the X.509 certificate standard and the hierarchical trust model of PKI. These functions often have specific legal or regulatory requirements that FIDO2 does not meet.

The industry's pragmatic solution to this divergence is the hybrid smartcard. Credentials like the HID Crescendo C2300 and Thales SafeNet IDPrime series embody this strategy of coexistence. They allow an organization to deploy phishing-resistant FIDO2 authentication for all modern applications while simultaneously retaining their investment and capabilities in PKI for the legacy systems and specialized workflows that still depend on it. This allows for a phased and strategic modernization of authentication without disrupting critical business processes.

The selection of a FIDO2 smartcard should be driven by an organization's specific security posture, existing infrastructure, and primary use cases. The following recommendations are structured around common enterprise scenarios.

• For PKI-Heavy Environments (Finance, Government): Organizations that rely heavily on PKI for Windows smartcard logon, digital signatures, and data encryption should prioritize hybrid cards. The HID Crescendo C2300 and Thales SafeNet IDPrime 3930/3940 FIDO are leading choices. They allow for a gradual rollout of FIDO2 for web and cloud single sign-on (SSO) without disrupting existing, mission-critical PKI workflows.

• For Converged Physical and Logical Access: To achieve the "one badge" vision, the HID Crescendo C2300 is the most direct solution. It is critical to select the specific SKU that embeds the PACS technology (e.g., Seos, iCLASS, Prox) that matches the building's existing door reader infrastructure. This approach streamlines credential management and improves the employee experience.

• For Mandated On-Card Biometrics: When security policy dictates that biometric verification must occur on the authenticator itself, rather than on the host device (like Windows Hello), the primary options are the Thales IDPrime FIDO Bio, AuthenTrend ATKey.Card NFC, or the FEITIAN Biometric Fingerprint Card. These cards provide strong proof of user presence and possession by moving the biometric check to the credential.

• For Large-Scale, Cost-Sensitive Rollouts: When the goal is to provide FIDO2 passkeys to a large population of contractors, partners, or employees where budget is a primary constraint, the Token2 T2F2-NFC-Card PIN+ (Release 3) offers an excellent balance of features and cost. Its high resident key capacity and standards compliance make it a scalable and effective solution.

• For Organizations with Existing Java Card Deployments: The TrustSEC FIDO2 applet presents a uniquely powerful and cost-effective upgrade path. For organizations that have already issued a large number of compatible Java Cards, deploying this applet can add modern FIDO2 authentication capabilities without the immense cost and logistical burden of a full hardware replacement cycle.

The landscape of enterprise authentication is undergoing a fundamental shift, with FIDO2 smartcards emerging as a critical bridge between legacy security investments and modern, passwordless frameworks. This report has provided a detailed analysis of the technology, leading products, and strategic considerations for their deployment. In summary, the key questions posed at the outset can be answered as follows:

1. What are the core technologies behind a FIDO2 smartcard? It is a hardware authenticator in a card form factor that houses a secure cryptographic chip. This chip runs modern, phishing-resistant FIDO2 protocols (WebAuthn and CTAP2) for web authentication, often alongside traditional Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) capabilities for legacy use cases like smartcard logon and digital signing.

2. Which are the best in 2025? The best card is determined by the specific use case. HID's Crescendo C2300 excels at converged physical and logical access. The Thales IDPrime series is ideal for high-assurance PKI environments, with its FIDO Bio model adding on-card biometrics. AuthenTrend and FEITIAN offer strong biometric-focused solutions. Token2 provides a cost-effective option for large-scale deployments, and BoBeePass introduces innovative multi-transport connectivity, albeit with platform limitations.

3. Do they replace PKI smartcards? No, they complement them. FIDO2 is designed to replace the password for authentication, offering a superior defense against phishing. PKI continues to be essential for broader functions like digital signatures, email encryption, and attestation. The dominant enterprise strategy is coexistence, often on a single hybrid card.

4. How do they compare to platform passkeys? FIDO2 smartcards provide a device-bound passkey, giving the enterprise physical control and auditability over the credential itself. This contrasts with the synced passkeys offered by platform vendors like Apple and Google, which prioritize user convenience over enterprise control. For high-security contexts and shared workstations, the device-bound nature of a smartcard is a critical security advantage.

5. Which should I choose? The final choice must align with your organization's primary objective. If unifying building and IT access is the goal, a converged card is the answer. If biometric assurance at the credential level is paramount, a match-on-card model is required. If integrating with a deep PKI infrastructure is the priority, a robust hybrid card is necessary. And if deploying passkeys at scale on a budget is the main driver, a cost-effective FIDO2-only card is the logical choice. The path forward is one of strategic coexistence: leveraging FIDO2 for modern, phishing-resistant authentication wherever possible, while retaining PKI for the essential functions it alone can provide.