Passwords vs. Passkeys: When to Keep It Simple in Your Startup

In his article, David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH) argues that while passwords are a hassle, passkeys have even more issues. He’s got a point. Let’s dig into this—passwords may drive us nuts, but passkeys? They’re still figuring out how to even show up on time.

A passkey is essentially a password-less login system. It relies on public-key cryptography, where a private key (locked away on your device) and a public key (on the server) work together to authenticate users. Think of it like having a magic wand to open doors—without ever typing in “Fluffy123” again. Apple, Google, and Microsoft are pushing for this system, but here’s the rub: passkeys are locked into their platforms. That means your login experience can get real messy if you jump between devices or ecosystems. iPhone today, Android tablet tomorrow? Yeah, that’s a no-go unless you enjoy wrestling with tech support on a regular basis.

For startups, it’s all about simplicity and speed, so adding passkeys into the mix feels a bit like bringing a sledgehammer to a nail-fixing party. It’s just overkill. Stick with passwords (for now) because, guess what? They still work. With the help of password managers and two-factor authentication (2FA), they can be secure and relatively painless. The last thing you need is users getting locked out and sending frustrated emails when their shiny new passkey doesn’t play nice with their laptop.

Ah, the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid. It’s the mantra that gently slaps us in the face when we’re overcomplicating things—like when you add avocado to your pizza and suddenly wonder, "Why though?" The idea is to cut the fluff, ditch the overengineering, and stick to basics that work. Because why build a rocket ship when you just need a bike? In startups, KISS isn’t just a principle—it’s survival. Simplicity equals speed, and speed equals keeping your weekends passkey drama-free!

On the flip side, large enterprises have the resources to invest in passkey technology and clean up the mess when things go sideways. But for a new web product in a scrappy startup? It’s about choosing your battles. In this case, simpler authentication systems can save you time and user friction, while still keeping things secure.

Pick your poison, as they say. And right now, passwords—with a dash of email verification—might taste better than the passkey Kool-Aid.

For more on DHH’s thoughts about the passkey conundrum, check out his article here.