Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Authenticator VS KeePass

Compare Google Authenticator VS KeePass and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Google Authenticator logo Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.

KeePass logo KeePass

KeePass is an open source password manager. Passwords can be stored in highly-encrypted databases, which can be unlocked with one master password or key file.
  • Google Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-25
  • KeePass Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-09

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.

KeePass features and specs

  • Open Source
    KeePass is open-source software, which means its source code is publicly available for review. This ensures transparency and allows for independent security audits.
  • Free
    KeePass is completely free to use. There are no subscription fees or one-time purchase costs, making it accessible to everyone.
  • Strong Encryption
    KeePass uses strong encryption algorithms (AES-256, ChaCha20) to securely store passwords, making it very difficult for unauthorized users to access the stored data.
  • Cross-platform Availability
    KeePass supports multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, and has a variety of compatible third-party apps for mobile platforms like Android and iOS.
  • Offline Storage
    KeePass stores the password database locally on your device rather than in the cloud, reducing the risk of remote hacks or breaches.
  • Customizable
    KeePass offers a high degree of customization through plugins and extensions, allowing users to tailor its functionality to their specific needs.
  • Portable
    KeePass can be run from a USB stick without installation, making it a portable option for users who need password management on the go.

Possible disadvantages of KeePass

  • User Interface
    The user interface of KeePass is considered by some to be outdated and not as intuitive as more modern password managers.
  • Manual Syncing
    KeePass does not have built-in cloud synchronization, requiring users to manually sync their password database across multiple devices.
  • Learning Curve
    Being a highly customizable tool with various features, KeePass can have a steep learning curve for new users who are not tech-savvy.
  • No Native Mobile Apps
    While there are third-party apps available for mobile devices, KeePass does not offer official mobile applications, which may lead to inconsistencies in user experience.
  • Limited Customer Support
    As an open-source project, KeePass does not offer professional customer support. Users must rely on community forums and documentation for help.
  • Reliance on Plugins
    Many advanced features require the use of third-party plugins, which may vary in quality and security, potentially introducing risks.

Google Authenticator videos

How to Use Google Authenticator

More videos:

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

KeePass videos

Keepass vs Lastpass vs No Password Manager

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to use KeePass
  • Review - KeePass Password Safe - Is It Really Safe To Use It (Quick Review) 2019

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Authenticator and KeePass)
Identity And Access Management
Security & Privacy
0 0%
100% 100
Two Factor Authentication
Password Management
9 9%
91% 91

User comments

Share your experience with using Google Authenticator and KeePass. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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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 KeePass

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...
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.
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.
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.

KeePass Reviews

9 Best KeePass Alternatives
KeePass isn’t the only open-source password manager available—there’s also Bitwarden. It doesn’t offer all of the technical benefits that KeePass does, but it’s much easier to use, and a better solution for many users.
Best KeePass Alternatives (Better Password Managers)
Are you in search of the best KeePass alternatives? KeePass is an open-source password manager. On top of that, it’s free. But since you’re looking for alternative password managers, there’s a high chance you didn’t like its UI.
The Best Password Managers To Keep Your Data Safe In 2022
If you want maximum control for zero cost, open source KeePass - and more specifically, the alternative clients that use the same secure standard - constitute our favourite free password manager. You can store your encrypted password database files anywhere you want, and if the official KeePass app looks a little clunky (spoiler: it is, a bit), there are plenty of highly...
Source: www.wired.co.uk
Top 5 Bitwarden Password Manager Alternatives
KeePass is one of the oldest open-source password managers on the market. Designed mainly for Windows users, This Bitwarden alternative delivers great security features such as full encryption for the entire database. It also supports auto-typing, which helps you auto fill login/password information. You can easily import passwords from other managers.
10 Best Free Password Manager to Secure Your Password For 2019
KeePass free password manager that uses the AES-256 and Twofish algorithm to encrypt its password databases. All you need is just to remember a single password to unlock your password database.
Source: gbhackers.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, KeePass seems to be a lot more popular than Google Authenticator. While we know about 207 links to KeePass, we've tracked only 7 mentions of 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

KeePass mentions (207)

  • Ask HN: How To: Store and share passwords in a company?
    Https://keepass.info and share the database file on a shared folder or sync it somehow. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Ask HN: Why do people use Password Managers?
    And the best part is there are solutions already that do this: https://keepass.info/ Does it work on Android or iOS? - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: Why do people use Password Managers?
    The key difference here being that this is two way hashing so passwords can be decrypted. In reality, there are a lot of attack vectors like MITM, event logging or sometimes straight up storing data in plaintext. Through these hackers can generally get passwords of all users of these services. So, why don't people use local password managers? Just a txt file encrypted with "master password" should be pretty... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Google-hosted malvertising leads to fake Keepass site that looks genuine
    When you're at a point where you're relying on a display name to make security-critical decisions, you've already lost. Character substitutions like ķeepass or ƙeepass or keypass are at least possible to spot if you know the name of the product, but not the full URL. But there are many ways to create lookalike domains that don't change the product name: https://keepass.org https://keepass.net https://keepass.info... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Google announces passwordless by default: Make the switch to passkeys
    > People love to hate on passwords but the reality is that for many circumstances (threat models) they are the best compromise. You can make them more than strong enough (take 32+ bytes out of /dev/random and encode however you like, nobody will ever brute force that in this universe) and various passwords managers solve the problem of re-use (never reuse a password). > And it comes with the benefit that you... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Google Authenticator and KeePass, 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.

1Password - 1Password can create strong, unique passwords for you, remember them, and restore them, all directly in your web browser.

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.

bitwarden - Bitwarden is a free and open source password management solution for individuals, teams, and business organizations.

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.

Lastpass - LastPass is an online password manager and form filler that makes web browsing easier and more secure.