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SoloKeys Review

Worth it

Should I use SoloKeys?

The first open source FIDO2 security key, built with Trussed® - solokeys.com

· 15 hours ago

Buy if you are an individual, maker, or small team who wants a cheap, open source, phishing-resistant login key and accepts a small vendor. Skip it if you need FIDO L2 certification, enterprise procurement support, or the most mainstream key ecosystem.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 14 public sources; user sentiment evidence is thin forum discussion.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support qualityNo support evidence in sources
  • Security posture

Pricing

$35

Solo 2 Secure

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierNo
Solo 2 HackerNot listed in sources

Best for

  • Phishing-wary individuals
  • Open source purists
  • Developers and makers (Hacker edition)
  • EU buyers wanting European-made hardware

Not for

  • Enterprises needing FIDO L2+ certified keys
  • Orgs wanting vendor SLAs and volume deployment tooling
  • Buyers who want the most mainstream, works-everywhere ecosystem
  • Anyone using an unlocked Hacker key on real accounts

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Hacker editions ship unlocked — never use one to protect real accounts.

medium

L1 certification may not satisfy enterprise compliance requirements.

low

Shipping: $3 USA, $10 Canada, $14 rest of world.

low

EU buyers routed to separate and German distributors.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • $35 for a FIDO2/U2F security key
  • No software or drivers required
  • Firmware written in Rust, open and auditable
  • V2: improved NFC, water resistant, reversible USB
  • Hacker edition unlocked for developers and makers

Cons

  • Reported certification is FIDO L1 only; regulated buyers may need L2
  • Hacker variants intentionally unlocked — unfit for real account security
  • 2023 launch initially offered only Limited Edition devices

Sources & method

- 11 sources - No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

official x5review x3news x3

Key stats

  • Value for money: 5/5

    Rating

  • $35

    Starting price

  • 11

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 5/5. $35 undercuts most FIDO2 rivals
  • Ease of use: 4/5. No drivers, plug-and-play per maker
  • Feature depth: 4/5. FIDO2, U2F, NFC, updatable firmware, dev editions
  • Support quality. No support evidence in sources
  • Security posture: 4/5. FIDO L1 certified, auditable open firmware
  • $35 Starting price USB-A and USB-C models
  • FIDO2 L1 Certification Per community reports
  • 2018 First open source FIDO2 key USB and NFC
  • Summer 2023 Solo 2 launch Limited Edition first

Pricing

Solo 2 Secure

$35

  • USB-A or USB-C
  • FIDO2 and U2F authentication
  • No software or drivers needed

Solo 2 Hacker

Not listed in sources

  • Unlocked for developers and makers
  • Customizable open firmware

Security

No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

What users say

Forum discussion is sparse: users note the Solo 2's FIDO L1 certification and its limited 2023 rollout.

“Hi, just wondering, the SoloKeys website https://solokeys.com/ states that their Solo 2 key is FIDO certified (L1).”
Privacy Guides forum
“SoloKeys 2 started to be sold in summer of 2023 in its store - but at first the only options were the "Limited Edition" SoloKey 2 devices”
Privacy Guides forum

Alternatives

Compare SoloKeys with each alternative.

  • YubiKey 5

    Industry-standard FIDO2 keys with broader certification and enterprise tooling.

  • Nitrokey 3

    Open source German-made FIDO2 keys with a similar ethos.

  • Google Titan Security Key

    Simple consumer FIDO key from a big vendor.

Full analysis

Based on 14 public sources; user sentiment evidence is thin forum discussion.

$35 open source FIDO2 key — solid for individuals and makers; compliance-driven enterprises need more certification than L1.

Methodology

Based on 14 public sources; user sentiment evidence is thin forum discussion.

Read how a report is made.

Sources

  1. SoloKeys homepagesolokeys.com
    official
  2. Solo 2 collectionsolokeys.com
    official
  3. official
  4. official
  5. Enterprise Orderssolokeys.com
    official
  6. Privacy Guides forum: SoloKeydiscuss.privacyguides.net
    review
  7. Privacy Guides forum: availabilitydiscuss.privacyguides.net
    review
  8. news
  9. Kickstarter: Solo V2kickstarter.com
    news
  10. Electronics-lab: Solo V2electronics-lab.com
    news
  11. review

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