# OATH (Open Authentication) vs UserLock: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[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). [UserLock](https://cybersectools.com/tools/userlock) is a commercial [MFA & passwordless](https://cybersectools.com/categories/user-authentication) solution by [IS Decisions](https://cybersectools.com/companies/is-decisions). 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

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

### Use cases and capabilities

| | OATH (Open Authentication) | UserLock |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | Yes | Yes |
| MFA | Yes | Yes |
| Security Standards | Yes | – |
| Open Source | Yes | – |
| Security Framework | Yes | – |
| Active Directory | – | Yes |
| Single Sign On | – | Yes |
| Multi Tenancy | – | Yes |

### Core features

**OATH (Open Authentication)**

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

**UserLock**

No features listed.

### Integrations

**OATH (Open Authentication)**

No integrations listed.

**UserLock**

6 integrations 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.

- [OATH (Open Authentication)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/oath-open-authentication) fits if you are a startup and you need a free product.

## OATH (Open Authentication) vs UserLock FAQ

Common questions when comparing OATH (Open Authentication) vs UserLock for MFA & passwordless.

### What is the difference between OATH (Open Authentication) and UserLock?

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

**UserLock**: IAM solution for Active Directory with MFA, SSO, and context-based access controls. Built by IS Decisions.

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

### Who makes OATH (Open Authentication) and UserLock?

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

### Is OATH (Open Authentication) a good alternative to UserLock?

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

## Related comparisons

- [OATH (Open Authentication) vs OneLogin Modern Multi-Factor Authentication](https://cybersectools.com/compare/oath-open-authentication-vs-onelogin-modern-multi-factor-authentication)
- [OATH (Open Authentication) vs WWPass MFA](https://cybersectools.com/compare/oath-open-authentication-vs-wwpass-mfa)
- [OATH (Open Authentication) vs Mi-Token](https://cybersectools.com/compare/mi-token-vs-oath-open-authentication)
- [UserLock vs OneLogin Modern Multi-Factor Authentication](https://cybersectools.com/compare/onelogin-modern-multi-factor-authentication-vs-userlock)
- [UserLock vs WWPass MFA](https://cybersectools.com/compare/userlock-vs-wwpass-mfa)
- [UserLock vs Mi-Token](https://cybersectools.com/compare/mi-token-vs-userlock)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all OATH (Open Authentication) alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/oath-open-authentication)
- [See all UserLock alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/userlock)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/oath-open-authentication-vs-userlock

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More on OATH (Open Authentication) and UserLock: 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