| Characteristic | Fingerprints | Hand geometry | Retina | Iris | Face | Signature | Voice |
| Ease of use | High | High | low | Medium | Medium | High | High |
| Error incidence | Dryness, dirt, age | Hand injury | Glasses | Poor lighting | Lighting, age, glasses, hair | Changing signatures | Noise, colds, weather |
| Accuracy | High | High | Very high | Very high | High | High | High |
| Cost | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| User acceptance | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Very high | High |
| Required security level | High | Medium | High | Very high | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Long term stability | High | Medium | High | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |