Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Open Authenticator VS Authenticator

Compare Open Authenticator VS Authenticator and see what are their differences

Open Authenticator logo Open Authenticator

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

Authenticator logo Authenticator

Authenticator is a simple, free, and open source two-factor authentication app.
  • Open Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-12-20
  • Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-24

Open Authenticator features and specs

  • Security Enhancement
    Open Authenticator provides an additional layer of security for applications by requiring a separate authentication process beyond simple username and password login systems.
  • Open-Source
    As an open-source project, Open Authenticator allows developers to review, modify, and improve the code, fostering transparency and community-driven development.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    It supports various platforms and devices, making it versatile and adaptable to diverse technological ecosystems and user environments.

Possible disadvantages of Open Authenticator

  • Limited Support
    Since it is an archived project on Google Code, it may not receive official support or updates, leaving potential security vulnerabilities unpatched.
  • Complex Setup
    Implementing Open Authenticator can be complex, requiring technical expertise and understanding of authentication protocols, which might be a barrier for some developers.
  • Deprecation Risk
    With the project archived, there is a risk it may become obsolete or incompatible with newer technologies and standards over time.

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.

Open Authenticator videos

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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 Open Authenticator and Authenticator)
Identity And Access Management
Password Management
42 42%
58% 58
Two Factor Authentication
Authentication
40 40%
60% 60

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Authenticator should be more popular than Open Authenticator. 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.

Open Authenticator mentions (2)

  • Gitlab Explores Sale
    Google had a code hosting service (free for open source projects) with repo, issue tracker, and wiki. But it was shut down in 2016. Now there is just an archive: https://code.google.com/archive/. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • What Are Your Moves Tomorrow - March 16, 2023
    Except Google will abandon it just like they abandoned https://code.google.com/archive/. Source: about 2 years ago

Authenticator mentions (4)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Open Authenticator and Authenticator, 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...

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

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

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

Authenticator Hub - How to enable 2 step verification for your accounts? Check our step-by-step guides to easily activate 2FA in all your accounts.

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