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Google Authenticator VS FreeOTP

Compare Google Authenticator VS FreeOTP and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Google Authenticator logo Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.

FreeOTP logo FreeOTP

Open source implementation of the two-factor authentication HOTP and TOTP schemes.
  • Google Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-25
  • FreeOTP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-26

Google Authenticator features and specs

  • Enhanced Security
    Google Authenticator adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second factor of authentication, reducing the risk of unauthorized access even if your password is compromised.
  • Offline Access
    The app does not require an internet connection to generate codes, making it reliable in situations where connectivity is a concern.
  • Compatibility
    Google Authenticator is compatible with a wide range of services and accounts, providing a versatile solution for multi-factor authentication (MFA).
  • Free of Charge
    The application is free to use, offering robust security features without any financial investment.
  • Ease of Use
    Setup and usage are straightforward, making it accessible to users without technical expertise.

Possible disadvantages of Google Authenticator

  • Device Dependence
    If you lose your device, gaining access to your accounts can become challenging, particularly if you haven't backed up or used alternative methods.
  • No Cloud Sync
    Google Authenticator does not offer a built-in feature for cloud backups, making it difficult to transfer codes to a new device.
  • Single Device Limitation
    The app only works on a single device at a time, which can be inconvenient if you manage multiple devices.
  • No Biometric Lock
    The app lacks advanced security features such as biometric locks, which are present in some other authenticator apps.
  • Limited Recovery Options
    In case of losing access to the app, recovery options rely heavily on the user having access to backup codes, which might not always be accessible.

FreeOTP features and specs

  • Open Source
    FreeOTP is open source, meaning its code is available for anyone to review, enhance, and ensure security.
  • No Tracking
    FreeOTP does not track user activity, guaranteeing user privacy and data protection.
  • Offline Functionality
    Tokens generated by FreeOTP work offline, making it reliable even without an internet connection.
  • Compatibility
    It supports both HOTP and TOTP standards, making it compatible with a wide range of services and applications.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application has a straightforward interface, making it easy for users to manage their tokens.
  • Multi-Platform
    FreeOTP is available for both Android and iOS, providing cross-platform support.

Possible disadvantages of FreeOTP

  • No Cloud Backup
    Lacks cloud backup for tokens, meaning users must manually back up their tokens to avoid loss during phone changes or resets.
  • Limited Features
    Unlike some other authenticator apps, FreeOTP lacks advanced features such as PIN protection, biometrics, or encrypted storage.
  • No Desktop Version
    FreeOTP does not offer a desktop version, which may be an inconvenience for users who prefer managing tokens on a computer.
  • No Recovery Options
    If users lose access to their device, recovering tokens can be difficult as there are no built-in recovery options.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    The app receives fewer updates compared to some other popular authenticator apps, potentially resulting in slower implementation of new features or fixes.

Google Authenticator videos

+ Add

How to Use Google Authenticator

More videos:

  • Review - GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR vs. AUTHY - (AUTHY WON)

FreeOTP videos

+ Add

FreeOTP - My Favorite Open-source Two-Factor Authentication App

More videos:

  • Review - FreeOTP Preview (iOS)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Authenticator and FreeOTP)

Google Authenticator

FreeOTP

Identity And Access Management
86 86%
Identity And Access Management
14% 14
Two Factor Authentication
85 85%
Two Factor Authentication
15% 15
Authentication
93 93%
Authentication
7% 7
Password Management
56 56%
Password Management
44% 44

User comments

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Reviews

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

Google Authenticator Reviews

7 Best Google Authenticator Alternatives For Android And iOS
Except for one, all the apps mentioned above are available for Android and iPhone. You can add accounts which you want to secure by scanning their barcode or simply entering the secret key or id in all of them. Some of them will let you capture a screenshot and some of them will not. Apart from that, all these are free to use and provide better features making them as the...
Source: www.techuntold.com
The Best Authenticator Apps for 2023
When you use Google Authenticator to log in to your Google account, you enter the six-digit code shown in the authenticator app, just as you would to log in to any other service. The app also lets you import logins from an old phone to a new one if you have the former on hand. As with Microsoft Authenticator, there's no Apple Watch app or even an Android Wear app for Google...
Source: www.pcmag.com
Top 6 Google Authenticator Alternatives in 2023
Although they aren’t as big or widely known as Google or Microsoft, Twilio’s Authy app is one of the most impressive and feature-rich Google Authenticator alternatives. Twilio takes pride in the fact that their app can be used anywhere Google Authenticator can be used, meaning that those making the switch won’t hit any unexpected compatibility issues.
Source: www.techrepublic.com
Is Authy better than Google Authenticator?
The difference between Authy and Google Authenticator lies in the number of features offered by each app. If you like minimalism, use Google Authenticator, but if you like multi-device support, full Backup of your 2FA codes, or three authentication types, use Authy.
Source: shieldplanet.com
The Best 2FA Apps 2021: Locking Down Your Online Accounts
Google Authenticator is really the baseline here, because nearly all sites that support 2FA support Google’s app as well. For example, LastPass Authenticator and Authy aren’t explicitly supported by as many sites and services. However, they still use TOTP, making them compatible with all services that support Google Authenticator.
Source: www.cloudwards.net

FreeOTP Reviews

Top 6 Google Authenticator Alternatives in 2023
One complaint about Google Authenticator is that it’s no longer open-source, with the relevant repositories not updated for several years. This isn’t an issue with FreeOTP, however, as it’s completely open-source.
Source: www.techrepublic.com
The Best 2FA Apps 2021: Locking Down Your Online Accounts
The only apps we wouldn’t recommend are paid ones. For example, Authenticator Plus on Google Play is rife with issues, and it costs $2.99. There are plenty of free options available, and if you don’t trust the likes of Google and Microsoft, there are open-source options like andOTP and FreeOTP.
Source: www.cloudwards.net

Social recommendations and mentions

FreeOTP might be a bit more popular than Google Authenticator. We know about 8 links to it since March 2021 and only 7 links to Google 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.

Google Authenticator mentions (7)

  • Google Authenticator now supports Google Account synchronization
    Here they have support page https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • I'm building a macOS app in a week with Tauri and Supabase.
    Many authenticator apps already exist on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Most of them have synchronization features but are limited to backup only or sync with the same platform (ie: iOS or Android only). I'm using one of them for years and at this moment I'm feeling bothered when switching to a mobile device every time login into a website or online service. So, I created Otentik Authenticator. A Google... - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: How to enable 2FA for Google Account to use Authenticator app?
    Their only docs suggest using an authenticator app (which presumably runs on the 'phone which potentially can be lost' anyway) is possible: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447?hl=en&ref_topic=2954345 If it's not showing up for you, you'd need to contact their support team to find out why. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Bought Centric Swap / CNS? Here’s What To Do Next
    By the way, if you don’t already have 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) set up on your Centric Wallet, now would be a good time to do that. You’ll need to have a 2FA app installed on your smartphone, such as Google Authenticator or Authy. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Storing hex/pulse/pulse swap
    Use 2FA with Google Authenticator for your email, wallets, and pretty much anything else that allows you to do so. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

FreeOTP mentions (8)

View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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