Beyond security, FIDO authentication delivers a superior user experience that technology leaders (CMOs, CTOs, Heads of Security) can leverage for competitive advantage. Passwordless, biometric logins are fast and frictionless, a customer can unlock an app with a face scan or fingerprint tap in a split second, instead of laboriously typing passwords or waiting for SMS codes. This convenience directly impacts adoption and engagement. A real-world example comes from a major government agency in Australia that rolled out FIDO-based passkeys to millions of users. The result was striking: up to an 80% user activation rate on mobile within weeks of launch, as citizens embraced the simpler login experience. 

This high adoption not only improved user satisfaction but also translated into operational savings, this agency saw a significant drop in authentication support calls and a reduction in one-time password delivery costs.

In the private sector, banks and fintech firms report similar wins. Leading banks like Wells Fargo and HSBC now allow customers to access mobile banking via built-in device biometrics, eliminating passwords and reset calls. This shift aligns with regulations such as PSD2’s Strong Customer Authentication in the EU, which recognizes biometrics as a compliant factor for secure logins. Fintech challengers, too, have capitalized on biometrics for seamless onboarding and payments.

FIDO biometrics not only streamline the customer journey but also build confidence, users feel safer knowing their account is protected by something as unique as their fingerprint or face, rather than a memorized string of characters. Scalability is another critical benefit. As organizations grow their user base into the millions, a FIDO-compliant solution scales gracefully. The FIDO standards are universal and interoperable across devices and platforms. The FIDO Alliance, a coalition of tech companies, banks, government agencies, and security providers, has ensured that FIDO authentication is built into virtually all modern smartphones, laptops, and web browsers.

This means a bank or government agency can enable passwordless login for users on iOS, Android, Windows, and other systems with minimal fuss. There’s no need for proprietary tokens or special reader devices; users leverage the hardware they already own (e.g. their phone’s secure enclave and biometric sensor). By being FIDO compliant, an authentication solution like Identy’s platform (a FIDO Alliance member) adheres to these global standards out-of-the-box.

This interoperability not only future-proofs the deployment but also eases regulatory compliance, many regulators explicitly favor standards-based approaches to security. Organizations can demonstrate that their mobile authentication meets industry best practices and certifications, which is reassuring for auditors and customers alike.