What Nitrokey UG does

Nitrokey GmbH (operating as Nitrokey UG) is a Teltow/Berlin, Germany-based private company founded in January 2015 that designs, manufactures, and sells open-source IT security hardware. The portfolio spans USB hardware security keys (the Nitrokey line, supporting FIDO2/WebAuthn, OpenPGP, PIV, and U2F, with Nitrokey 3 firmware written in Rust), secure laptops (NitroPad) running Coreboot/Heads open-source firmware with the Intel Management Engine disabled, hardened smartphones (NitroPhone) running GrapheneOS on Google Pixel hardware, secure desktop PCs (NitroPC), network security appliances (NitroWall) based on OPNsense, fully open-source hardware security modules (NetHSM, version 4.0 with clustering as of April 2026), Raspberry-Pi-based private-cloud devices (NextBox/Nextcloud), and secure communication services (NitroChat, Nitrokey Meet). NitroPad V56 received official Qubes OS certification in October 2024. All products are manufactured in Germany and designed for OS-agnostic, vendor-independent operation.

The company sells primarily direct-to-consumer via shop.nitrokey.com with global shipping, supplemented by regional distributors (NESTEC IT-Solutions covering Austria, South Tyrol, and the East Adriatic since 2018), an enterprise sales operation ([email protected]), an affiliate program paying 10% commission, and a Community Program providing free devices to journalists, researchers, and open-source contributors. Customers span enterprise IT security teams, security-conscious individuals, cryptocurrency exchanges, and system administrators; named enterprise logos include Google, Amazon, Cisco, Siemens, Bosch, Volkswagen, Visa, Adyen, UBS, Deutsche Telekom, Red Hat, Canonical, Mozilla, the German Federal Government (Bundesregierung/BKA), ZDF, and Fraunhofer Institute. The company reports 10,000+ users across 120+ countries.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales (Nitrokey FIDO2 at €29, Nitrokey 3A NFC at €59, Nitrokey 3C NFC at €65, NitroPhone 2 from €899, and higher-priced enterprise appliances), supplemented by the Nitrokey Business Subscription (recurring), Nitrokey Business Fulfillment (bulk procurement), and professional consulting services. Nitrokey has remained self-financed since founding — independent of external investors — and operates with up to roughly 20 employees from its Teltow headquarters near Berlin.

Name

Nitrokey UG

Legal name

Nitrokey GmbH

Website

https://nitrokey.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Nitrokey GmbH is a Berlin-based, self-financed company that designs and manufactures open-source IT security hardware — FIDO2 security keys, NitroPad laptops, GrapheneOS NitroPhone smartphones, and NetHSM hardware security modules — serving enterprises, governments, and privacy-focused consumers across 120+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IT Security Hardware

NAICS

Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (334118), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Security Systems Services (56162), Other Computer Related Services (541519)

SIC

Computer Peripheral Equipment, Nec (3577), Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Security & Trusted Hardware ICs (Secure Element/TPM/Crypto) (HDAHABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Secure Elements & Trusted Execution Processors (TPM/TEE/Crypto MCUs) (HDAHAJAK), Secure ICs, Smart Cards & Trusted Hardware (HDAHAAAJ), Storage Security & Encryption Hardware (SEDs, Key Managers, HSM-Backed Storage) (HDACACAL), Secure Remote Access / ZTNA Gateways (Appliance/Virtual Appliance) (HDAFAFAI), VPN & Remote Access Gateways (HDADABAD)

Keywords

• Hardware security keys
• Open source security hardware
• Hardware security modules
• Secure computing devices
• Two-factor authentication hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Hardware Security Keys: Sale of USB security keys (Nitrokey FIDO2, Nitrokey 3A NFC, Nitrokey 3C NFC, Nitrokey Pro 2, Nitrokey Storage 2, Nitrokey HSM) for two-factor authentication, passwordless login, email/file encryption, and key management. One-time purchase model.
2. Secure Devices (Laptops, Smartphones, PCs): Sale of hardened laptops (NitroPad series), secure smartphones (NitroPhone series), and secure mini PCs (NitroPC). Includes pre-installed open-source OS and firmware.
3. Network Security Appliances: Sale of NitroWall network security devices combining firewall, IPS, and VPN gateway functionality.
4. Business Services: Nitrokey Business Subscription and Nitrokey Business Fulfillment services for enterprise customers requiring批量 procurement and dedicated support.
5. Consulting Services: Professional consulting for concept, development, and certification of specific security solutions. Customer-specific system customization and integration services for Nitrokey products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Nitrokey UG designs, manufactures, and sells open-source IT security hardware made in Germany, including USB hardware security keys (FIDO2/WebAuthn, OpenPGP, PIV), secure laptops (NitroPad) running Coreboot/Heeds firmware, hardened smartphones (NitroPhone) on GrapheneOS, secure desktop PCs (NitroPC), the open-source NetHSM hardware security module, the NitroWall firewall/VPN appliance, and the NextBox private cloud device. The company also provides enterprise business subscriptions, business fulfillment services, and customer-specific security consulting.

Product overview

Nitrokey UG offers a comprehensive open-source IT security hardware portfolio consisting of hardware security keys (Nitrokeys) supporting multiple authentication and encryption standards, secure computing devices (NitroPad laptops, NitroPC desktops), hardened smartphones (NitroPhone running GrapheneOS), network security appliances (NitroWall), hardware security modules (NetHSM), and associated software tools. The company also provides enterprise services including business subscriptions, fulfillment, and consulting. Products are manufactured in Germany, operate independently of operating systems, and feature open-source firmware enabling independent security audits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nitrokey Hardware Security Keys

Quantifiable outcome

• Security vulnerabilities can be patched via firmware updates without purchasing new hardware, unlike competitors requiring hardware replacement

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NextcloudcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 May 2019Collaboration to secure private clouds with FIDO2 authentication. Nextcloud integrated Nitrokey support to simplify and secure login for Nextcloud instances. Joint marketing and product integration providing users with combined privacy and security solutions.
• Linux FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2018Special program sponsored by the Linux Foundation in partnership with Nitrokey for Linux kernel developers. Provides digital tokens capable of storing private keys and performing PGP operations on-chip for code signing and developer authentication.
• Safe HavenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2018Partnership to co-develop and co-finance a full open-source hardware ledger. Goal to implement secure login mechanism into Safe Haven's digital inheritance platform using Nitrokey products.
• NESTEC IT-SolutionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Upper Austrian IT security distributor with locations in St. Florian near Linz and Zagreb took over distribution and support for Nitrokey products for Austria, South Tyrol, and the East Adriatic region.
• NetKnightsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 November 2016Joint complete solution for trusted two-factor authentication in enterprises. Combined Nitrokey USB keys with NetKnights' PrivacyIdea multi-factor authentication system. Solution published as open source with open hardware.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Purism: Purism makes privacy-focused Librem laptops, Librem 5 phones, and the Librem Key (developed in partnership with Nitrokey). It is the closest peer in the secure-laptop, privacy-hardware category and shares Nitrokey's open-source, no-backdoors positioning.
• Feitian Technologies: Feitian is one of the largest Chinese manufacturers of FIDO2, OTP, and smartcard security keys, supplying OEMs and resellers globally. It competes with Nitrokey in the hardware security key market, particularly on price-sensitive enterprise rollouts.
• OnlyKey: OnlyKey is an open-source hardware security key supporting FIDO2, OpenPGP, and TOTP. It overlaps directly with Nitrokey's value proposition of auditable, open-source hardware authentication for security-conscious users and developers.
• Solokey: Solokey (formerly Solo) builds fully open-source FIDO2 security keys with public firmware and hardware designs. It targets the same developer and privacy-focused audience as Nitrokey with comparable price points and multi-protocol support.
• Yubico: Yubico is the global market leader in hardware security keys (YubiKey) supporting FIDO2/WebAuthn, OpenPGP, and smartcard protocols. It is the most direct competitor to Nitrokey's flagship security key product line and competes head-to-head for the same enterprise and developer customer base.

Emerging players

• System76: System76 builds Linux-focused laptops, desktops, and servers (Pop!_OS) targeting developers and security-conscious users. It is a partial peer to Nitrokey's NitroPad/NitroPC lines in the secure Linux endpoint category.
• Mooltipass: Mooltipass is an open-source hardware password manager and authentication device built by a small community. It overlaps with Nitrokey in the niche of open-source, auditable hardware security for individuals and developers.

Broad incumbents

• Utimaco: Utimaco is a leading German vendor of hardware security modules (Atalla, CryptoServer) and key management solutions. It is a relevant incumbent peer for Nitrokey's NetHSM product, especially in the same European/German market.
• Thales (SafeNet): Thales operates the SafeNet line of hardware security modules (Luna HSMs) and broader enterprise data protection portfolio. It competes with Nitrokey's NetHSM in the HSM/PKI category but at a much larger scale with proprietary, certified products.
• Google Titan Security Key: Google's Titan Security Key is a FIDO2 key primarily aimed at protecting Google enterprise accounts. As an internal broad-incumbent offering, it competes for the same passwordless/FIDO2 procurement budgets that Nitrokey addresses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/Nitrokey
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nitrokey
• Xx.com/nitrokey
• Facebookfacebook.com/nitrokey

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nitrokey UG