Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Authy VS Authenticator

Compare Authy VS Authenticator and see what are their differences

Authy logo Authy

Best rated Two-Factor Authentication smartphone app for consumers, simplest 2fa Rest API for developers and a strong authentication platform for the enterprise.

Authenticator logo Authenticator

Authenticator is a simple, free, and open source two-factor authentication app.
  • Authy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-05
  • Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-24

Authy features and specs

  • Multi-device synchronization
    Authy allows users to sync their 2FA tokens across multiple devices, which provides a convenient way to access tokens from phones, tablets, and desktops.
  • Encrypted backups
    Authy provides encrypted backups of the 2FA tokens to the cloud, ensuring that users can recover their tokens in case of device loss or damage.
  • Offline usage capability
    Authy can generate 2FA codes even when the user’s device is offline, providing access to tokens without requiring an active internet connection.
  • Desktop app available
    Authy offers a desktop application that allows users to manage and use their 2FA tokens directly from their computer, enhancing accessibility and usability.
  • Security features
    Authy includes advanced security features such as PIN protection and biometric login options, adding an additional layer of security to the 2FA tokens.

Possible disadvantages of Authy

  • Dependency on cloud service
    Authy’s cloud-based backup and multi-device synchronization features create a dependency on their cloud service, which may raise privacy and security concerns for some users.
  • Limited customization options
    Compared to some other authentication apps, Authy offers fewer options for custom-tailoring the appearance and organization of the 2FA tokens.
  • Potential for lockout
    If users forget their Authy backup password or lose access to all trusted devices, they may have difficulty recovering their 2FA tokens, leading to a potential lockout of their accounts.
  • Initial setup complexity
    The initial setup process, which includes account verification and device synchronization, may be more complex and time-consuming compared to other simpler 2FA apps.
  • Limited platform support
    While Authy supports major platforms such as iOS, Android, and Windows, it does not have the same broad platform compatibility as some other 2FA solutions, potentially limiting its usability for some users.

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.

Authy videos

How to Use Authy To Keep Your Data Safe

More videos:

  • Review - GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR vs. AUTHY - (AUTHY WON)
  • Review - Productivity Tuesday Ep#4 -- Authy Two Factor Authentication

Authenticator videos

Authenticator Apps

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Authy and Authenticator)
Identity And Access Management
Two Factor Authentication
Authentication
82 82%
18% 18
Password Management
71 71%
29% 29

User comments

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Reviews

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

Authy Reviews

7 Best Google Authenticator Alternatives For Android And iOS
And another big difference that it provides over the Google Authenticator is the Authy passcode. Using this code, no one will be able to browse through all your codes.
The Best Authenticator Apps for 2023
One of Twilio Authy’s big advantages is encrypted cloud backup. However, it’s somewhat concerning that you can add the account to a new phone using “a PIN code sent via a call or an SMS,” according to Authy’s support pages. There’s also an option to enter a private password or passphrase that Authy uses to encrypt login info for your accounts to the cloud. The password is...
Source: www.pcmag.com
Top 6 Google Authenticator Alternatives in 2023
Although most alternatives to Google Authenticator are completely free but potentially relatively limited in terms of options, Duo can offer you a lot if you’re willing to pay for it. The free option, which Cisco advises is aimed towards individuals and very small teams, is most comparable to what Google offers and will be enough for many, though it faces stiff competition...
Is Authy better than Google Authenticator?
.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-842{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none;line-height:0;margin-bottom:3px!important;margin-left:0!important;margin-right:0!important;margin-top:3px!important;min-height:250px;min-width:300px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}But to avoid this problem entirely, make sure to add Authy to any devices you want and then Disable...
The Best 2FA Apps 2021: Locking Down Your Online Accounts
As far as website support goes, Authy 2FA tokens work with any service that accepts TOTP-based authenticator apps. Authy even maintains a database of services it supports, complete with step-by-step instructions for how to enable 2FA on those services. In addition to password managers like Keeper, cloud storage like Box and encrypted email services like ProtonMail, Authy...

Authenticator Reviews

We have no reviews of Authenticator yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Authy seems to be a lot more popular than Authenticator. While we know about 139 links to Authy, we've tracked only 4 mentions of Authenticator. 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.

Authy mentions (139)

  • A list of SaaS, PaaS and IaaS offerings that have free tiers of interest to devops and infradev
    Authy - Two-factor authentication (2FA) on multiple devices, with backups. Drop-in replacement for Google Authenticator. Free for up to 100 successful authentications. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: What 2FA iOS app do you use?
    Https://authy.com/ Acquired by Twilio. I'm not even sure if they still update it, last blog post was 3 years ago. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • How to Set Up 2FA on Your BitStarz Account
    2FA apps such as Google Authenticator and Authy randomly generate a code every minute or so, which is matched to a specific key associated with your login. In essence, this means that whenever a login asks for your 2FA code, it knows which number to expect and will only unlock if that correct number is entered. Source: over 1 year ago
  • How can I avoid MFAuthenticator?
    You can also set up the Authy authenticator app on a PC, so you don't have to use a mobile app at all, but use a PC app instead :). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Coworker refused to use a second factor for his Azure Global ADM bcs he doesn‘t need a „Gadget“ like a FIDO key.
    Check out authy. It's considered less secure than other device-specific OTP solutions, but it's better than not using it. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

Authenticator mentions (4)

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

Duo Security - Duo Security provides cloud-based two-factor authentication. Duo’s technology can be deployed to protect users, data, and applications from breaches, credential theft, and account takeover.

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication - Azure Multi-Factor Authentication helps safeguard access to data and applications while meeting user demand for a simple sign-in process.

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

OpenSSL - OpenSSL is a free and open source software cryptography library that implements both the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols, which are primarily used to provide secure communications between web browsers and …