Dynacop vs UserLock for Windows Logon and RDP
Both add MFA to Windows console and RDP sign-ins. UserLock is a mature access-management product built around on-premise Active Directory, with strong session controls. Dynacop is a cloud-managed product that also works without AD, records the real person behind a shared account, and blocks attacker IPs on the machine.
This comparison is based on UserLock's public MFA, MSP, and pricing documentation.
The short answer
- If you run without Active Directory or in a mixed environment
- If you want to record the real person behind a shared account
- If you want Windows MFA and attacker-IP blocking in one product
- If you want cloud-managed simplicity with no server to run, and MSP with a customer portal
- If you need an AD-centric, fully on-premise or air-gapped deployment
- If you want time/workstation/concurrent-session restrictions and real-time session monitoring
- If you need broad methods like push and hardware keys (YubiKey/Token2)
Sourced comparison
Per-person MFA on console and RDP sign-ins
MFA on console, RDP, and RD Gateway sign-ins
No; local and domain accounts are supported. There is no security server or database to install in the customer environment
Built around on-premise Active Directory (“On-premise Active Directory MFA”); a Standalone Terminal Server mode is documented for workgroups. In every case a UserLock Server + agents + database run in the customer environment
Each person verifies with their own factor; the record shows the real person
Documented model: users are identified by AD account/group/OU. Our assessment: a Dynacop-style per-person record on one shared account is not documented
TOTP only (deliberate simplicity)
Push · hardware key (YubiKey/Token2) · TOTP · HOTP; up to two methods per user
Limited — Dynacop focuses on sign-in security
Strong — time/workstation/concurrent-session restrictions, real-time session monitoring and response
Shield correlates source IP and blocks those over threshold in the machine's Windows Firewall
UserLock can block a user/session and respond remotely; but the docs we reviewed do not document an equivalent behavior that auto-blocks a failed-login source (source IP) in the target machine's Windows Firewall
Operations console: isolated multi-customer workspaces, license-free technicians, and a customer portal where the end customer sees and revokes their own access
Licensing console: pay-as-you-go monthly billing, aggregate pricing. Security environments run in the customer's on-premise install; no customer-facing access portal documented in the docs we reviewed
Cloud-managed: lightweight Windows install → Dynacop cloud. No UserLock Server/database or ICMP/SMB 445 requirement on the customer side. Offline access works locally
A UserLock Server + agents + database in the customer environment; agent-to-server needs ICMP and SMB TCP 445. UserLock Anywhere (cloud/IIS) for remote agents. Suitable for air-gapped environments
Single plan, per protected user, monthly
Annual, per active user (30-day window)
Where they're equal or similar
- Both add MFA to Windows console and RDP sign-ins.
- Both support third-party TOTP apps (Google/Microsoft Authenticator).
- Both support offline verification.
- Both offer an MSP program (the management models differ).
Three key differences, in detail
Documented fact: UserLock is built around on-premise Active Directory (a Standalone Terminal Server mode is documented for workgroups) and in every case requires a UserLock Server + agents + database in the customer environment; agent-to-server communication needs ICMP and SMB TCP 445.
Dynacop assessment: Dynacop works without Active Directory (with local accounts too) and is cloud-managed — there's no security server or database to install or maintain on the customer side. It also supports AD environments.
Windows Login MFA →Documented fact: UserLock identifies users by AD account, group, or OU; no capability to distinguish individuals within a shared account is documented.
Dynacop assessment: Dynacop resolves identity from the entered code; even when the shared account stays in place, the audit record shows the real person.
Shared-account person resolution →Documented fact: the UserLock docs we reviewed do not document automatically blocking a failed-login source in the target machine's firewall.
Dynacop assessment: Shield does this in the same product — it verifies the authorized user with MFA and blocks the attacker IP on the machine.
Explore Shield →Which is the better fit?
If your priority is a non-AD or mixed environment, the real person behind a shared account, attacker-IP blocking, cloud-managed simplicity with no server to run, and MSP with a customer portal where the customer sees their own access.
If you need a fully on-premise or air-gapped deployment in an AD-centric environment, granular session and login restrictions (time, workstation, concurrent sessions), real-time monitoring, and broad methods like hardware keys. UserLock is a mature AD access-management product.
Methodology and sources
This comparison is based on UserLock's public MFA, MSP, and pricing documentation and covers only that scope. Each UserLock statement in a row is taken from the vendor's documentation; the verdicts are Dynacop's assessment.
Last verified: July 19, 2026
- UserLock — MFA for on-premise Active Directory
- UserLock docs — Requirements (AD / Standalone Terminal Server)
- UserLock docs — Agents & architecture (server, ICMP/SMB, Anywhere)
- UserLock docs — Block a user / session response
- UserLock — product (session management)
- IS Decisions — MSP licensing platform
- UserLock — pricing
Spotted an error? Report it: comparisons@dynacop.com
This is a non-independent comparison prepared by Forty2 LLC based on the vendor's public documentation; it is written by the Dynacop product team. Dynacop is not affiliated with IS Decisions. UserLock and IS Decisions are trademarks of their respective owner.
Frequently asked questions
What's the biggest difference?
UserLock is a mature product built around on-premise Active Directory with strong session controls. Dynacop also works without AD, records the real person on a shared account, blocks attacker IPs on the machine, and is cloud-managed (no server to run).
Does UserLock work without Active Directory?
UserLock is built around on-premise Active Directory; a Standalone Terminal Server mode is documented for protecting local accounts in workgroup environments. In either case a UserLock Server runs in the customer environment. Dynacop works over the cloud in both AD and non-AD (local account) environments with no server to install.
Can UserLock block attacks?
UserLock can block users, end existing sessions, and deny new ones. Dynacop Shield's difference is that it correlates failed logins by source IP and automatically blocks that IP in the target machine's Windows Firewall.
Do both support third-party authenticators?
Yes, both support TOTP apps like Google/Microsoft Authenticator. UserLock also offers broader methods such as push and hardware keys (YubiKey/Token2); Dynacop is deliberately TOTP-focused.
How current is this information?
The UserLock statements were verified on July 19, 2026 from the vendor's MFA, MSP, and pricing documentation. Products change; we recommend confirming the current state with the vendor.
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