Definition
Passwordless authentication uses possession or biometric factors (passkeys, security keys, push, certificate) as primary credentials, eliminating the password entirely from the authentication flow.
In more depth
Passwordless is different from "MFA on top of a password." In a passwordless flow, the user never enters a password — they authenticate directly with a passkey, security key, certificate, or push approval. Passwords are removed not just hidden.
For workforce: Microsoft Entra, Okta, and others now support fully passwordless workflows via passkeys or smart cards. For consumers: Apple, Google, and Microsoft passkey rollouts have brought passwordless mainstream — 75% of consumers had at least one passkey by 2026 per FIDO Alliance.
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