Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator is a multi-factor authentication mobile app that generates timed codes for user verification. It helps protect user accounts by requiring both a password and a randomly generated 6-digit code that refreshes every 30 seconds.
multifactor-authentication
mobile-app
timed-codes
account-security
Google Authenticator: Multi-Factor Authentication Mobile App
Google Authenticator is a multi-factor authentication mobile app that generates timed codes for user verification. It helps protect user accounts by requiring both a password and a randomly generated 6-digit code that refreshes every 30 seconds.
What is Google Authenticator?
Google Authenticator is a software-based authenticator app developed by Google for multi-factor authentication by generating timed one-time passwords. It can be used to enhance the security of user logins to applications and online accounts by requiring users to provide both their regular account password as well as a 6-digit one-time code generated by the Authenticator app.
It works by generating time-based codes locally on the user's mobile device rather than having to retrieve codes from an external server. When setting up two-factor authentication using Google Authenticator, the user scans a QR code provided by the service they are protecting, which synchronizes the Authenticator app to generate verification codes associated with that account. At login, after entering the regular account password, the user opens the Authenticator app to obtain the one-time passcode and enters it to complete verification.
Google Authenticator codes refresh every 30 seconds, providing a new secure code regularly rather than relying on codes that persist over time and thus are more prone to interception. The app can be used to enhance login security for many popular online services such as Google, Facebook, Dropbox, WordPress, as well as corporate applications and VPNs. It provides an easy way to implement two-factor authentication without relying on text messaging.
Google Authenticator Features
Features
- Generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP)
- Supports HMAC-based one-time passwords (HOTP)
- Easy to set up and use
- Available on iOS and Android devices
- Syncs across multiple devices
- Open source
Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
Pros
Provides an extra layer of account security
No additional hardware token required
Widely supported by many online services
Free to use
Cons
Requires a smartphone
Account recovery can be difficult if phone is lost
Some users may find codes inconvenient
Limited customization options
The Best Google Authenticator Alternatives
Top Security & Privacy and Authentication and other similar apps like Google Authenticator
Here are some alternatives to Google Authenticator:
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KeePass
KeePass is a free, open source, light-weight and easy-to-use password manager for Windows, Linux and macOS. It allows users to securely store all of their passwords and other sensitive information like credit card numbers, PINs, TANs, notes and attachments in one heavily encrypted database, locked with one master key.KeePass uses...
Authy
Authy is a two-factor authentication application developed by Twilio that provides enhanced security for logging into online accounts. It works by associating your mobile device with your online accounts so that a second one-time passcode generated by the Authy app is required in addition to your regular account password when...
Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator is a free multi-factor authentication app developed by Microsoft that adds an extra layer of account security for personal and work Microsoft accounts. It works by requiring the user to provide both their account password and a verification code generated by the Authenticator app when signing in, preventing...
WinAuth
WinAuth is a lightweight, portable application for Windows that allows users to generate one-time passwords and verification codes for logins that require two-factor authentication. It supports several common standards used for multi-factor auth, including Time-based One-time Password algorithm (TOTP) and HMAC-based One-Time Password algorithm (HOTP).Some of the key features of...
FreeOTP
FreeOTP is an open source, free two-factor authentication application for Android and iOS devices. It allows users to generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) for added login security to websites and other services that support TOTP authentication.Some key features of FreeOTP include:Open source code and free to useSupports secure password generation...
2FA Authenticator (2FAS)
2FA Authenticator (2FAS) is a free and open-source two-factor authentication mobile app. It allows users to set up two-factor authentication for their online accounts in order to add an extra layer of security beyond just a password.Some key features of 2FA Authenticator include:Support for common 2FA standards like Time-based One-time...
OTP Auth
OTP Auth is a free and open-source two-factor authentication mobile app available for both Android and iOS. It allows users to generate timed one-time passwords that provide an extra layer of security when logging into online accounts.Some key features of OTP Auth include:Open source code and free to use with...
Aegis Authenticator
Aegis Authenticator is a free and open source two-factor authentication app for Android. It provides enhanced security for your online accounts by requiring a second one-time password in addition to your regular login password when accessing important services.Some of the key features of Aegis Authenticator include:Support for common 2FA methods...
Keepass2Android
Keepass2Android is an open source password manager application for Android devices that is compatible with KeePass password databases. It provides a convenient way to store, organize, and access sensitive information like usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, PINs, notes, and more on your Android smartphone or tablet.The app uses the proven...
KeeWeb
KeeWeb is a free, open-source password manager and vault that allows users to securely store passwords, notes, and other sensitive information in an encrypted database protected by a master password. It has an intuitive, easy-to-use interface with support for extensive keyboard shortcuts for fast navigation.Some of the key features of...
Tofu Authenticator
Tofu Authenticator is a free and open source app for two-factor authentication available for Android and iOS.It generates secure time-based one-time passwords locally on your device, without needing to connect to an external server. This enhances the security and privacy of the app.Tofu Authenticator also features cloud backup of your...
Krypton
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OTPClient
OTPClient is a free, open source two-factor authentication (2FA) client that runs on Linux, macOS and Windows. It supports the most common types of 2FA including time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) and HMAC-based one-time passwords (HOTPs).By scanning a QR code from services like GitHub, Google, Facebook etc., OTPClient can generate 6...
AndOTP
andOTP is a free, open-source two-factor authentication application for Android. It enables users to generate one-time passwords for logins to provide an additional layer of account security beyond just a password.Some of the key features of andOTP include:Support for both time-based algorithms (TOTP) and counter-based algorithms (HOTP)Encrypted backups that allow...
Daito Authenticator
Daito Authenticator is a free and open-source two-factor authentication mobile app available for both iOS and Android. It allows users to easily set up two-factor authentication for accounts that support time-based one-time passwords such as GitHub, Google, Dropbox, and more.The app generates secure 6-digit codes that refresh every 30 seconds....
Qualys Cloud Platform
Qualys Cloud Platform is a cloud-based vulnerability management and policy compliance solution used by enterprises globally. It enables organizations to consolidate their security and compliance stacks onto a single platform for assessments that continuously monitor IT infrastructure and applications for risks and misconfigurations.The Qualys Cloud Platform features include:Asset Discovery and...
KeePassDX
KeePassDX is a free and open-source password manager application for Android devices. It allows you to store all your passwords and other sensitive information securely in one encrypted database, protected by a single master password.Some key features of KeePassDX:Uses strong encryption algorithms like AES, Twofish or ChaCha20 to protect your...
Invantive Authenticator
Invantive Authenticator is a multi-factor authentication application designed to enhance security when accessing sensitive business systems and data. It integrates with directory services like Active Directory and works across various applications and platforms.The app generates one-time passcodes synchronized with verification servers to validate user identity. It also supports push notifications,...
LastPass Authenticator
LastPass Authenticator is a free mobile app that works as a two-factor authentication solution to generate timed one-time passwords. It integrates with the LastPass password manager to provide an extra layer of security when logging into accounts and services.When enabled, after entering your master password into LastPass, it will prompt...
Itsme
itsme is a secure digital identity and authentication app originally developed by Belgian Mobile ID, a consortium of major Belgian banks and telecommunications companies. The app allows users to confirm their identity using their smartphone rather than passwords or physical tokens when accessing online services, signing digital documents, authorizing transactions,...
OnlyKey
OnlyKey is a hardware-based authentication device and password manager created by OnlyKey. It is designed to replace traditional passwords and two-factor authentication methods with more secure cryptographic authentication.Some key features of OnlyKey include:Stores encrypted passwords and generates strong random passwordsSupports FIDO U2F/WebAuthn for passwordless login to websitesGenerates one-time passcodes for...
Incognia
Incognia is a fraud prevention and authentication solution designed specifically for mobile applications and transactions. It uses location data from mobile devices along with advanced behavioral modeling and risk scoring algorithms to determine if a mobile transaction is legitimate or potentially fraudulent.Here are some key features of Incognia:Location verification -...
TOTP Authenticator
TOTP Authenticator is a free and open source application for generating time-based one-time passcodes for two-factor authentication. It is compatible with Google Authenticator and other TOTP-based authenticator apps.This app allows you to add accounts secured by two-factor authentication, such as your Google, Facebook, Twitter, or Microsoft accounts. When logging into...
GNOME Authenticator
GNOME Authenticator is a free, open source two-factor authentication application designed for the GNOME desktop environment on Linux. It allows users to manage one-time passcodes, generate authentication verification codes, and integrate with websites and services that require or support two-factor or multi-factor authentication security.Some key features of GNOME Authenticator include:Generates...
UNLOQ
UNLOQ is a passwordless multi-factor authentication solution designed to eliminate the security vulnerabilities and usability issues associated with passwords. It uses asymmetric cryptography to authenticate users without requiring them to remember or type passwords.Here's how it works: When a user enrolls with UNLOQ, a public-private key pair is generated on...
SAASPASS
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LibreOTP
LibreOTP is a free and open source one-time password authenticator application for Android. It allows users to enable two-factor authentication for logins and other services by generating timed one-time passwords that are valid for a short period.LibreOTP is based on Google Authenticator and implements common OTP standards like HMAC-Based One-Time...
SoundLogin Authenticator
SoundLogin Authenticator is a two-factor authentication application that provides an innovative audio-based approach for generating login verification codes. Instead of using SMS text messages or time-based one-time password algorithms, SoundLogin plays unique sound clips that encode the login code.To use SoundLogin, users download the app and connect it to the...
Biomio Authenticator
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VoiceProtect
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Authenticator Plus
Authenticator Plus is a popular, highly rated app for two-factor authentication codes. It follows current best practices in security and privacy, storing 2FA secrets encrypted on each device, allowing backups, and syncing across user devices securely.Authenticator Plus provides a simple, intuitive interface to manage two-factor codes for all accounts supporting...
Open Authenticator
Open Authenticator is a free, open source two-factor authentication application available for Android and iOS. It allows users to set up two-factor authentication for online accounts by generating time-based one-time passwords compatible with services like Google Authenticator, Authy, and Microsoft Authenticator.The app is designed to provide an easy way for...
CryptoPhoto
CryptoPhoto is an open-source, cross-platform application used to encrypt digital photos to protect privacy. It utilizes strong encryption algorithms like AES-256 and RSA to scramble image data into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted and viewed again with the correct password.Some key features of CryptoPhoto include:Encrypting images in...
Toopher
Toopher is a cloud-based multi-factor authentication service designed to enhance login security for websites and applications. It works by requiring users to present two or more authentication factors when signing in - typically something they know (like a password), something they have (like a mobile device or security key), and...
Keepass2Android Offline
Keepass2Android Offline is a free, open source password manager application for Android devices. It allows you to safely store all your passwords and other sensitive information in a highly encrypted database that is unlocked with one master password.Some key features include:Works completely offline - no internet connection requiredUses AES and...
Protectimus
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Token2 Mobile OTP
Token2 Mobile OTP is a mobile application designed for multi-factor authentication using one-time passwords. It works by generating a 6-digit one-time password that refreshes every 30 seconds, providing an extra layer of security when logging into online accounts.The app syncs with your existing accounts that support two-factor authentication. When you...
SecKey
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OTPmanager
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Py2fa
py2fa is an open-source Python library that enables developers to easily add two-factor authentication (2FA) to applications and websites. It provides utilities for generating and validating one-time passwords used in 2FA systems.Some key features of py2fa include:Support for time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) using HMAC-SHA1 - the standard used by Google...
