# Circle Security Circle Access vs OATH (Open Authentication): side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Circle Security Circle Access](https://cybersectools.com/tools/circle-security-circle-access) is a commercial [MFA & passwordless](https://cybersectools.com/categories/user-authentication) solution by [Circle Security](https://cybersectools.com/companies/circle-security). [OATH (Open Authentication)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/oath-open-authentication) is a free [MFA & passwordless](https://cybersectools.com/categories/user-authentication) solution by [OATH (Open Authentication)](https://cybersectools.com/companies/oath-open-authentication). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

Need the answer fast? [Best MFA and Passwordless Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-mfa-passwordless-solutions) picks Okta Adaptive MFA, Cisco Duo Passwordless, Beyond Identity Phishing-Resistant MFA and 4 more.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Circle Security Circle Access | OATH (Open Authentication) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Free |
| Category | MFA & Passwordless | MFA & Passwordless |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | Hybrid |
| Company size fit | Enterprise, Mid-Market | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Company | Circle Security | OATH (Open Authentication) |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Circle Security Circle Access | OATH (Open Authentication) |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | Yes | Yes |
| Zero Trust Architecture | Yes | – |
| MFA | Yes | Yes |
| NIST | Yes | – |
| ZTNA | Yes | – |
| SSO | Yes | – |
| Least Privilege | Yes | – |
| BYOD | Yes | – |
| REST API | Yes | – |
| Security Standards | – | Yes |
| Open Source | – | Yes |
| Security Framework | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Circle Security Circle Access**

7 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**OATH (Open Authentication)**

9 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Circle Security Circle Access](https://cybersectools.com/tools/circle-security-circle-access) fits if you want a cloud product.
- [OATH (Open Authentication)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/oath-open-authentication) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options, you are a startup or a small business and you need a free product.

## Circle Security Circle Access vs OATH (Open Authentication) FAQ

Common questions when comparing Circle Security Circle Access vs OATH (Open Authentication) for MFA & passwordless.

### What is the difference between Circle Security Circle Access and OATH (Open Authentication)?

**Circle Security Circle Access**: Credential-free authentication via QR scan with zero credential storage. Built by Circle Security.

**OATH (Open Authentication)**: Vendor-neutral org publishing open standards for OTP & strong auth. Built by OATH (Open Authentication).

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Circle Security Circle Access and OATH (Open Authentication)?

**Circle Security Circle Access** is made by Circle Security. **OATH (Open Authentication)** is made by OATH (Open Authentication). The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Circle Security Circle Access a good alternative to OATH (Open Authentication)?

Often, yes. Circle Security Circle Access and OATH (Open Authentication) are both MFA & Passwordless products, and both cover Authentication, MFA. Key differences: Circle Security Circle Access is Commercial while OATH (Open Authentication) is Free. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Circle Security Circle Access vs Cyphercor MFA Solutions](https://cybersectools.com/compare/circle-security-circle-access-vs-cyphercor-mfa-solutions)
- [Circle Security Circle Access vs Lastwall](https://cybersectools.com/compare/circle-security-circle-access-vs-lastwall)
- [Circle Security Circle Access vs Gradient for Users](https://cybersectools.com/compare/circle-security-circle-access-vs-gradient-for-users)
- [OATH (Open Authentication) vs Cyphercor MFA Solutions](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cyphercor-mfa-solutions-vs-oath-open-authentication)
- [OATH (Open Authentication) vs Lastwall](https://cybersectools.com/compare/lastwall-vs-oath-open-authentication)
- [OATH (Open Authentication) vs Gradient for Users](https://cybersectools.com/compare/gradient-for-users-vs-oath-open-authentication)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Circle Security Circle Access alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/circle-security-circle-access)
- [See all OATH (Open Authentication) alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/oath-open-authentication)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/circle-security-circle-access-vs-oath-open-authentication

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/circle-security-circle-access.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Circle Security Circle Access and OATH (Open Authentication): funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md