Bio-Key International
BIO-key International provides biometric-based identity and access management software and hardware, led by its PortalGuard IAM platform and patented Identity-Bound Biometrics technology, serving financial institutions, government, defense, healthcare, and education customers across more than 40 million users worldwide.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersHolmdel, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Bio-Key International does
BIO-key International, Inc. (NASDAQ/OTC: BKYI) is a publicly traded identity and access management (IAM) company that builds biometric authentication software and hardware. The company's core platform is PortalGuard, an IAM suite that delivers single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, password management, and identity governance with multi-modal biometrics (fingerprint, palm, facial, voice) as the authentication primitive. Its proprietary Identity-Bound Biometrics (IBB) architecture binds biometric credentials to the user's identity rather than to a specific device, which the company markets as phishing-resistant and tokenless. Complementary products include Passkey:YOU (a FIDO2-compatible biometric passkey), MobileAuth (mobile MFA), WEB-key (a large-scale biometrics engine trusted for civil ID and border-control workloads), and a hardware line of FBI FAP 20 / NIST PIV certified fingerprint scanners and FIDO2 security keys.
BIO-key monetizes primarily through enterprise software licensing and subscriptions (annual and multi-year contracts), hardware sales (which more than doubled to $1.3M in FY2025), and professional services delivered with channel partners. The company sells direct to enterprise accounts in financial services, government, defense, healthcare, and education, supplemented by a regional channel network — TD SYNNEX Public Sector (US government), Citadel Global (India), SAVIS Group (Vietnam), IT2Trust (Nordics), Cloud Distribution (Saudi Arabia), Visualforma (Portugal), RunLevel (Mozambique), VaporVM (MEA), and CyberLion (Israel/Greece/Cyprus). Named customers include SIMO (Mozambique national payments network, 36.6M residents), a 30M-client foreign retail bank, a foreign defense ministry cyber-defense unit, Orange Bank & Trust, First National Bank of Long Island, AOD Federal Credit Union, Monash Health, Southwestern Community College, and Krumland Auto Group.
BIO-key reports FY2025 revenue of $6.1M, a 12% decline from $6.9M in FY2024, attributed to EMEA transition and contract timing. Q1 2026 revenue of $2.15M grew 34% YoY at an 82.5% blended gross margin, and management projects H1 2026 revenue of approximately $5M, up roughly 50% from $3.3M in H1 2025. The company continues to report operating losses (FY2025 net loss ~$4.6M) and in 2026 executed a 1-for-10 reverse stock split, was suspended from Nasdaq, and moved to OTC trading following delayed SEC filings, while continuing to expand its certified product set and international channel footprint.
Bio-Key International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bio-Key International
- Legal name
- BIO-key International, Inc.
- Website
- https://bio-key.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BIO-key International provides biometric-based identity and access management software and hardware, led by its PortalGuard IAM platform and patented Identity-Bound Biometrics technology, serving financial institutions, government, defense, healthcare, and education customers across more than 40 million users worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bio-Key International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Identity and Access Management
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) & Passwordless Authentication (HDAEAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Authentication (MFA/Passwordless/Biometrics) Platforms (BPAMAEAE), Biometric Input Devices (Fingerprint/Face/Iris Scanners) (HDACAFAI), Card Readers & Authentication Tokens (Smart Card, NFC, OTP Keys) (HDACAFAK)
Keywords
Where Bio-Key International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Holmdel
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Bio-Key International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Annual license renewals for IAM platform and biometric authentication services. Major renewal from foreign retail bank customer valued at $1.04M (30% increase YoY) serving 30M+ enrolled clients.
- Hardware Sales: Sale of fingerprint scanners (EcoID III, SidePass, SideSwipe, PIV-Pro, Pocket10), FIDO security keys, and authentication devices. Hardware revenue more than doubled to $1.3M in 2025.
- Professional Services and Implementation: Deployment and integration services through channel partners and system integrators for enterprise and government customers.
- Service Revenue: Ongoing service and support revenue grew 6% year-over-year, including cloud-hosted PortalGuard IDaaS solutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise pricing - custom quote-based |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Perpetual license option available |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Bio-Key International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BIO-key International develops and sells biometric identity and access management solutions centered on its PortalGuard IAM platform with Identity-Bound Biometrics (IBB). The portfolio includes software products (PortalGuard, Passkey:YOU, MobileAuth, WEB-key biometrics engine) and hardware devices (USB fingerprint scanners and FIDO2 security keys) that enable phishing-resistant, passwordless authentication for enterprises, governments, and financial institutions.
Product overview
BIO-key International provides a unified Identity and Access Management platform with biometric authentication at its core. The portfolio centers on PortalGuard IAM Platform as the primary software solution, complemented by biometric authentication sub-products including Passkey:YOU (biometric passkey), MobileAuth (mobile MFA), and PortalGuard Desktop (desktop authentication). The WEB-key biometrics engine provides large-scale identity verification capabilities. Hardware offerings include USB fingerprint scanners (SidePass, PIV-Pro, EcoID III, SideSwipe, Pocket10) and FIDO Security Keys with biometric and non-biometric options. All products integrate under a unified IAM ecosystem supporting passwordless, phishing-resistant authentication.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PortalGuard: The company's flagship IAM platform providing identity and access management with biometric authentication at its core
- Passkey:YOU
- MobileAuth
- PortalGuard Desktop
- WEB-key
- EcoID III
Products and services
- PortalGuard IAM Platform Defense-grade Identity and Access Management platform providing multi-modal biometric MFA, single sign-on, password management, and identity governance. Supports hybrid deployment (cloud, on-prem, SaaS) and integrates with Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Ping, and thousands of applications via SAML/OAuth/OIDC.
- Passkey:YOU FIDO2-compatible biometric passkey solution that works with 30+ fingerprint scanners or standard employee badges to enable phoneless, tokenless, passwordless authentication. Claims up to 70% TCO reduction for authentication lifecycle.
- MobileAuth Mobile multi-factor authentication app using smartphone biometric readers for defense-grade authentication. Supports face, fingerprint, and palm scanning via Apple or Android devices with push notifications and liveness detection to prevent spoofing.
- PortalGuard Desktop Desktop authentication client for Windows and macOS providing MFA with biometrics at the core. Enables secure, passwordless desktop login and advanced MFA for workstations.
- WEB-key Scalable biometric management system capable of integrating with databases containing hundreds of millions of unique entries. Supports fingerprint, palm print, and iris modalities with patented data security for civil ID programs, voter registration, border control, and financial services.
- Fingerprint Scanners USB fingerprint scanners including SidePass, PIV-Pro, EcoID III, SideSwipe, and Pocket10 models for biometric authentication. EcoID III features FBI FAP 20 certification, liveness detection, and anti-spoofing capabilities; meets NIST PIV and NIBSS certifications for high-assurance environments.
- FIDO Security Keys FIDO2/WebAuthn-compliant security keys including biometric and non-biometric options. Durable, waterproof keys supporting USB-A, USB-C, NFC, and Lightning connectors with FIPS 140-2 certified variants.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 95% reduction in password reset help desk calls
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Bio-Key International
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Bio-Key International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration13 records
AI capability5 records
Feature7 records
Bio-Key International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- BlueAllycorePartnership to deploy PortalGuard phishing-resistant authentication at AOD Federal Credit Union serving 37,500+ members. BlueAlly serves as implementation partner delivering Identity-Bound Biometrics to eliminate vulnerabilities of traditional MFA methods.
- TD SYNNEX Public Sector (DLT Solutions)coreStrategic partnership integrates BIO-key's PortalGuard IAM platform and Passkey:YOU biometric solutions into DLT's government contract portfolio, providing U.S. federal, state, and local agencies streamlined procurement path to phishing-resistant MFA and Zero Trust compliance solutions.
- Foreign Defense Ministry Cyber-Defense Unitcore$280,000 follow-on order expanding biometric user authentication deployment to additional personnel. Total business from this customer reaches $1.14M over past 12 months. Combined military/defense sector orders exceed $2M.
- Foreign Retail Bank (30M+ clients)core$1.04M license renewal and expansion for biometric identification deployment serving over 30 million enrolled clients, up from 7 million in 2015. Managing 300+ million fingerprints for authentication across branch operations.
- SIMO (Sociedade Interbancária de Moçambique)coreMulti-year partnership to deploy PortalGuard IAM platform with tokenless authentication and SSO across Mozambique's national electronic payments network. Marks BIO-key's 11th global banking client, supporting digital transformation for 36.6 million residents.
- RunLevelstrategicRegional integrator executing IAM deployment with SIMO in Mozambique, combining BIO-key's authentication technology with local implementation expertise.
- Citadel GlobalstrategicValue-added distributor partnership for India and SAARC markets. Citadel Global delivers BIO-key IAM and biometric authentication portfolio including PortalGuard and Passkey:YOU to enterprises, financial institutions, and call centers using local market infrastructure.
- VisualformacorePortuguese technology integrator deploying BIO-key IAM and biometric solutions across 250+ government organizations including municipal administrations, educational institutions, and healthcare entities. Visualforma leads nationwide rollout with deployments operational in major tourist city.
- CyberLion Ltd.minorRegional distribution agreement covering Israel, Greece, and Cyprus for BIO-key biometric authentication solutions alongside AccuKnox Zero-Trust platform.
- SAVIS GroupstrategicVietnamese enterprise partnership to distribute BIO-key IAM and biometric products across Vietnam, enhancing cybersecurity and digital trust in the region.
- VaporVMstrategicPartnership expands BIO-key IAM solutions in Middle East and Africa through integration of biometric authentication platform with VaporVM's regional cloud and cybersecurity expertise.
- Cloud DistributioncoreSaudi-based value-added distributor facilitating major Middle East defense sector deployment for critical infrastructure access security. One of BIO-key's largest regional security deployments in the Middle East.
- IT2TruststrategicNordic region partnership distributing and supporting BIO-key IAM and biometric authentication solutions across Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, leveraging IT2Trust's local expertise and cybersecurity leadership.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Bio-Key International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- HYPR: HYPR provides passwordless MFA built around FIDO2 and decentralized biometric authentication. It competes head-to-head with BIO-key's Passkey:YOU and identity-bound biometrics offering in the enterprise passwordless segment.
- OneSpan: OneSpan provides digital identity and anti-fraud authentication solutions, including MFA and biometric authentication for banking and government. It is a comparable peer serving similar regulated-industry customers.
- Identiv: Identiv provides identity and access solutions including physical access and digital authentication. It overlaps with BIO-key's biometric authentication and hardware credential business.
- Yubico: Yubico is the leading pure-play FIDO2 hardware security key vendor and a direct competitor to BIO-key's FIDO Security Keys line. Both companies target passwordless and phishing-resistant authentication for enterprise and government.
- Okta: Okta is a leading cloud-native identity and access management platform providing MFA, SSO, and passwordless authentication. It directly competes with BIO-key's PortalGuard IAM in the enterprise and government markets.
- Beyond Identity: Beyond Identity offers a passwordless, phishing-resistant authentication platform based on X.509 certificates and device-bound biometrics. It is a closely comparable emerging peer in the passwordless MFA category.
- Ping Identity: Ping Identity provides enterprise IAM and federated identity solutions with strong MFA and passwordless offerings. It is listed as a BIO-key integration partner and is a comparable competitor in the enterprise IAM space.
- CyberArk: CyberArk is a major player in identity security, with strong privileged access management and workforce MFA. It is a more specialized but larger competitor addressing parts of the same high-assurance authentication market BIO-key serves.
Broad incumbents
- Microsoft (Entra ID / Azure AD): Microsoft Entra ID is the dominant cloud identity provider integrated with Office 365 and the broader Microsoft ecosystem. BIO-key integrates with Entra ID via SAML but also competes against it as a bundled, free/cheap alternative for passwordless MFA.
- Auth0 (Okta): Auth0, now part of Okta, is a customer identity platform with strong MFA, SSO, and passwordless capabilities. It addresses the same enterprise and developer customer base that BIO-key's PortalGuard serves.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Bio-Key International social profiles
Digital presenceBio-Key International compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance16 records
Bio-Key International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bio-Key International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Bio-Key International subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Bio-Key International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bio-Key International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bio-Key International
What does Bio-Key International do?
BIO-key International develops and sells biometric identity and access management solutions centered on its PortalGuard IAM platform with Identity-Bound Biometrics (IBB). The portfolio includes software products (PortalGuard, Passkey:YOU, MobileAuth, WEB-key biometrics engine) and hardware devices (USB fingerprint scanners and FIDO2 security keys) that enable phishing-resistant, passwordless authentication for enterprises, governments, and financial institutions.
Is Bio-Key International a public or private company?
Bio-Key International is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Bio-Key International founded?
Bio-Key International was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Bio-Key International based?
Bio-Key International is headquartered in Holmdel, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bio-Key International make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses and Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales, professional Services and Implementation and service Revenue.
Who are Bio-Key International's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are HYPR, OneSpan, Identiv, Yubico, Okta, Beyond Identity, Ping Identity and CyberArk. Broad incumbents are Microsoft (Entra ID / Azure AD) and Auth0 (Okta).
Does Bio-Key International have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bio-Key International.
What industry is Bio-Key International in?
Bio-Key International's product category is Identity and Access Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAJAC, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) & Passwordless Authentication, with a secondary code of BPAMAEAE, Authentication (MFA/Passwordless/Biometrics) Platforms. Its NAICS code is 5132.