Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Open Authenticator VS Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

Compare Open Authenticator VS Azure Multi-Factor Authentication and see what are their differences

Open Authenticator logo Open Authenticator

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

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication logo 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.
  • Open Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-12-20
  • Azure Multi-Factor Authentication Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-19

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.

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication features and specs

  • Enhanced Security
    Azure MFA adds an additional layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
  • Flexible Authentication Options
    It supports various authentication methods such as phone calls, text messages, app notifications, and hardware tokens, providing flexibility for users.
  • Integration with Microsoft Services
    Seamless integration with other Microsoft services and Azure Active Directory ensures a cohesive security solution across different Microsoft platforms.
  • Compliance Support
    Helps organizations meet compliance requirements by providing an additional layer of security that is often mandated by regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, etc.
  • User-friendly
    Designed to be straightforward for end-users, reducing the friction typically associated with multi-factor authentication processes.
  • Conditional Access Policies
    Enables the configuration of conditional access policies to enforce MFA for specific scenarios, balancing security needs and user convenience.

Possible disadvantages of Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

  • Cost
    While some features are available for free, comprehensive usage of Azure MFA can incur additional costs depending on the Azure AD licensing model.
  • Setup Complexity
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex, especially for organizations without a dedicated IT team.
  • Reliance on Internet Connectivity
    Most verification methods require an internet connection, which can be a drawback in environments with unstable or unreliable internet access.
  • Potential User Resistance
    Some users may find the authentication process cumbersome or may resist changes to the login process, requiring additional user education and support.
  • Dependency on External Devices
    Authentication methods like text messages or app notifications depend on users having access to their mobile devices, which can be problematic if a device is lost or stolen.
  • Integration Challenges with Non-Microsoft Services
    While Azure MFA integrates well with Microsoft services, integration with third-party or non-Microsoft applications may require additional configuration and support.

Open Authenticator videos

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Azure Multi-Factor Authentication videos

How to register for Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Open Authenticator and Azure Multi-Factor Authentication)
Identity And Access Management
Password Management
100 100%
0% 0
Two Factor Authentication
Authentication
20 20%
80% 80

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication might be a bit more popular than Open Authenticator. We know about 2 links to it since March 2021 and only 2 links to Open 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.

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

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication mentions (2)

  • MFA for Outlook Online on cell phone
    This is the answer, more detail: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/authentication/concept-mfa-howitworks. Source: about 3 years ago
  • What do you do if you lost your phone with Microsoft Authenticator?
    Make sure that you back-up the active app-configuration, this way you have an easier way to recover; make sure you are allowed to verify using more than an authenticator, more here. Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Open Authenticator and Azure Multi-Factor Authentication, you can also consider the following products

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

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...

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

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

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.