In a nutshell
- Passkeys are more secure: phishing-proof, unique per site, hardware-backed.
- Passwords are convenient: work everywhere, easy to share/recover.
- Best approach: Use passkeys where available, strong passwords elsewhere.
Security comparison
Passkeys advantages:
- Phishing-resistant: Only work on legitimate sites.
- Unique keys: No reuse across sites.
- Strong crypto: Uses modern encryption standards.
- No weak passwords: Biometrics ensure strength.
Passwords weaknesses:
- Phishable: Users can be tricked into entering on fake sites.
- Reused: Many use the same password everywhere.
- Guessable: Weak or predictable passwords.
- Stolen: Breaches expose millions.
Convenience comparison
Passkeys pros:
- Fast login: One tap with biometrics.
- No remembering: Device handles it.
- Syncs across devices: Apple iCloud, Google account.
Passwords cons:
- Hard to remember: Leads to reuse or weak ones.
- Reset hassle: Forgotten passwords require email/SMS.
- Autofill issues: Browsers can fail or be insecure.
Adoption and compatibility
Passkeys: Supported by major browsers (Chrome, Safari, Edge) and growing. iOS/Android have built-in support. But not all websites offer them yet.
Passwords: Universal. Every site accepts them. No hardware requirements beyond a keyboard.
Recovery and backup
Passkeys: Sync via cloud (iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager). If you lose devices, recovery codes or backup devices help. More secure than password resets.
Passwords: Easy to reset via email or security questions. But resets can be phished or socially engineered.
Tip: Use a password manager for both: store passkeys and generate strong passwords.
When to use each
- Use passkeys: For high-value accounts (banking, email, work).
- Use passwords: For sites without passkey support.
- Hybrid: Many sites offer both options.
The future: passwords fading?
Tech giants (Google, Apple, Microsoft) are pushing passkeys. By 2026, expect more sites to default to passkeys. Passwords won't disappear overnight but will become secondary.