Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OTP Auth VS Google Authenticator

Compare OTP Auth VS Google Authenticator and see what are their differences

OTP Auth logo OTP Auth

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

Google Authenticator logo Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.
  • OTP Auth Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-23
  • Google Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-25

OTP Auth features and specs

  • Security
    OTP Auth provides an additional layer of security by requiring a one-time password that changes periodically, making it harder for unauthorized users to gain access.
  • Open Source
    The project is open-source, allowing for transparency in its security implementation and enabling community contributions to its development and improvement.
  • Standards Compliance
    OTP Auth supports industry standards such as TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) and HOTP (HMAC-based One-Time Password), ensuring compatibility with various services and systems.
  • Cross-Platform
    The application supports multiple platforms, making it versatile and accessible on different devices, whether you're using iOS, Android, or other operating systems.
  • User-Friendly
    OTP Auth features an intuitive user interface, which makes it easier for users to set up and manage their OTP tokens.

Possible disadvantages of OTP Auth

  • Dependency on Device
    Since OTP Auth relies on the availability of the user's device to generate the one-time passwords, losing the device or having it malfunction can impede access to services.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    The initial setup process can be daunting for non-technical users, especially those who are unfamiliar with two-factor authentication systems.
  • No Cloud Backup
    Without built-in cloud backup functionality, users must manually backup and transfer their OTP secrets when switching devices, which can be cumbersome.
  • Limited Customer Support
    As an open-source project, OTP Auth may not offer the same level of customer support and troubleshooting assistance as some proprietary solutions.
  • Dependence on Time Sync
    TOTP-based systems require accurate time synchronization between the server and the client device; any significant discrepancy can result in invalid passwords.

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.

OTP Auth videos

Why most providers have nasty 2FA implementations and how to setup OTP Auth on iOS

Google Authenticator videos

How to Use Google Authenticator

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OTP Auth and Google Authenticator)
Identity And Access Management
Password Management
53 53%
47% 47
Two Factor Authentication
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

OTP Auth Reviews

We have no reviews of OTP Auth yet.
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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.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OTP Auth should be more popular than Google Authenticator. It has been mentiond 11 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.

OTP Auth mentions (11)

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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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OTP Auth and Google 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...

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.

Authenticator Plus - Authenticator Plus generates 2-step verification codes and lets you synchronize your accounts.

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.