Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Authenticator VS Duo mobile

Compare Authenticator VS Duo mobile and see what are their differences

Authenticator logo Authenticator

Authenticator is a simple, free, and open source two-factor authentication app.

Duo mobile logo Duo mobile

Duo Mobile works with Duo Security's two-factor authentication service to make logins more...
  • Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-24
  • Duo mobile Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-27

Authenticator features and specs

  • Open Source
    Authenticator is open-source, which means the source code is available for review and contributions by the community. This increases transparency and security, as bugs and vulnerabilities can be identified and addressed more quickly.
  • Privacy-Focused
    The app doesn't require users to create an account, and it doesn't store any data in the cloud. This significantly reduces the risk of data breaches and ensures user data remains private.
  • Simple User Interface
    The app provides a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to manage their two-factor authentication (2FA) codes without confusion.
  • Local Storage
    Authenticator stores codes locally on the device, which enhances security by eliminating the need to transmit sensitive information over the internet.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    The app is available on both iOS and Android, providing flexibility for users who switch between different mobile operating systems.

Possible disadvantages of Authenticator

  • No Cloud Backup
    Since the app stores data locally and doesn’t support cloud backup, users may lose their codes if they lose access to their device or accidentally delete the app.
  • Manual Setup
    Users need to manually add their accounts, which might be less convenient compared to some other 2FA apps that offer QR code scanning and automatic account import features.
  • Limited Features
    Authenticator focuses on core 2FA functionality and lacks some advanced features found in other 2FA apps, such as password management or integration with password managers.
  • No Multi-Device Sync
    The app doesn’t support synchronizing 2FA codes across multiple devices, which can be inconvenient for users who rely on multiple devices for their work or personal life.

Duo mobile features and specs

  • Security
    Duo Mobile enhances user account security by using two-factor authentication (2FA), reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
  • User-friendly
    The app is designed to be straightforward and easy to use, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise.
  • Compatibility
    Duo Mobile supports a wide range of devices and integrates seamlessly with various applications and services.
  • Push Notifications
    The app provides push notifications for authentication, offering a quick and convenient way to approve login attempts.
  • Offline Access
    Duo Mobile can generate passcodes for authentication even without internet access, ensuring continued functionality in offline scenarios.

Possible disadvantages of Duo mobile

  • Dependency on Mobile Devices
    Users need access to their mobile device to authenticate, which can be a limitation if the device is unavailable or lost.
  • Potential Security Concerns
    If a user's phone is compromised, the 2FA can also be at risk. Users must ensure their device is secured to protect the authentication process.
  • Notification Delays
    Occasionally, users may experience delays in receiving push notifications, which can be inconvenient during urgent authentication requests.
  • Learning Curve for Organizations
    Implementing and managing Duo Mobile in a large organization can require significant time and resources for setup and training.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Some users may have concerns about the data collected by the app and its implications on their privacy.

Authenticator videos

Authenticator Apps

More videos:

  • Review - GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR vs. AUTHY - (AUTHY WON)
  • Tutorial - How to Use Google Authenticator

Duo mobile videos

No Duo mobile videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Authenticator and Duo mobile)
Identity And Access Management
Two Factor Authentication
Password Management
57 57%
43% 43
Security & Privacy
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Authenticator and Duo mobile

Authenticator Reviews

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Duo mobile Reviews

The Best Authenticator Apps for 2023
Duo Mobile is geared toward corporate apps, especially now that it’s part of Cisco’s portfolio. Duo Mobile offers enterprise features, such as multiuser deployment options and provisioning, one-tap push authentication, and one-time passcodes. But anyone can use this simple authenticator app, and if you do, you'll appreciate the ability to back up your logins using Google...
Source: www.pcmag.com
5 of the Best Alternatives for Google Authenticator
Duo mobile is another app that makes it easy to authenticate login requests on your online accounts. It offers a neat feature called “Duo push” which simply allows you to receive login requests on your phone and make a single tap to authenticate it. If you receive a request that you aren’t expecting, you can also deny the request and report it as fraudulent. In addition, you...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Authenticator should be more popular than Duo mobile. It has been mentiond 4 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Authenticator mentions (4)

Duo mobile mentions (1)

  • Moving it all to yubico authenticator?
    Call me lazy but..for phone 2FA auth I'm using Duo in personal mode (TOTP). See guide.duo.com for a start. It's convenient and fast. My Yubikey is used for PC web 2FA and, no, I don't do any financials on mobile devices. Reason I picked Duo is Google Auth on Android had dings for not being secure (some say). BEWARE of Duo, if you try to buy they only sell in packs of 30 so that first bill could be... Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Authenticator and Duo mobile, you can also consider the following products

Aegis Authenticator - Aegis Authenticator is a free, secure and open source app to manage your 2-step verification tokens...

Google Authenticator - Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.

andOTP - andOTP is a two-factor authentication App for Android 4.4+

Microsoft Authenticator - One app to quickly and securely verify your identity online, for all of your accounts.

OTP Auth - The app for calculating one-time-passwords on iPhone and iPad.

Open Authenticator - A trusted open-source Authenticator. Formerly known as SmartWatch2 Authenticator free.