This article discusses the total cost of ownership (TCO) for authentication methods, specifically focusing on passwordless authentication from a developer's perspective.
Authentication impacts costs through license fees, integration work, support tickets, lost productivity, and security risks.
Passwordless authentication is becoming a cost-effective standard for SaaS and enterprise solutions, offering benefits like eliminating password reset logic and reducing attack surfaces.
The cost breakdown compares password-based, password with multi-factor authentication (MFA), and passwordless methods in terms of implementation, support, user productivity loss, security incident risk, and opportunity cost.
Passwordless authentication can reduce support costs by 70%+ and enhance user experience while minimizing security risks.
Comparisons between password, password + MFA, and passwordless authentication highlight differences in attack surfaces, developer complexity, support needs, and user experience.
Key technical details for passwordless implementation include using WebAuthn, push authentication, and magic links.
Code samples for WebAuthn registration and authentication are provided for frontend JavaScript and backend Python.
Common challenges like device loss, legacy systems, and user migration are discussed, along with solutions such as offering backup options and providing education.
Developers are encouraged to share their experiences with passwordless authentication, including using WebAuthn, FIDO2, or other methods.
Passwordless authentication is highlighted as a way to boost developer productivity, cut authentication costs by 50–65%, and reduce user friction and risk.
Starting with a pilot using WebAuthn for web and push for mobile is recommended, with a call for readers to share their own passwordless authentication implementations.
The article concludes by emphasizing the ROI of passwordless authentication and its maturity in technology.
Readers are invited to share their passwordless authentication implementation experiences.
The article is adapted from the original blog post 'Why Passwordless Authentication Cuts Costs by 65%'.