Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OTP Auth VS Microsoft Authenticator

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

OTP Auth logo OTP Auth

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

Microsoft Authenticator logo Microsoft Authenticator

One app to quickly and securely verify your identity online, for all of your accounts.
  • OTP Auth Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-23
  • Microsoft Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26

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.

Microsoft Authenticator features and specs

  • Enhanced Security
    Microsoft Authenticator provides additional layers of security through multi-factor authentication (MFA) which significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access.
  • Ease of Use
    The app is user-friendly with an intuitive interface, making it simple for both technically savvy and non-technical users to set up and utilize.
  • Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem
    It seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products and services, including Azure Active Directory, Office 365, and more, providing a unified security experience.
  • Push Notifications
    Users receive push notifications for authentication requests, allowing them to approve or deny access quickly without the need for manually entering a code.
  • Support for Multiple Accounts
    Microsoft Authenticator can handle multiple accounts, including non-Microsoft accounts, making it a versatile tool for managing various authentication needs.
  • One-time Password (OTP) Generation
    The app can generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) for services that require them, ensuring secure logins even when push notifications are unavailable.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft Authenticator

  • Dependency on Mobile Device
    If the user's mobile device is lost, stolen, or damaged, accessing accounts that rely on Microsoft Authenticator can become challenging.
  • Limited Platform Support
    Microsoft Authenticator primarily supports mobile platforms (iOS and Android), which could be a drawback for users who rely on desktop or other operating systems.
  • Potential Privacy Concerns
    Some users may have concerns about privacy and data collection practices given Microsoft's extensive ecosystem and its handling of personal information.
  • Requires Initial Configuration
    Setting up Microsoft Authenticator and linking it with various services can be time-consuming, especially for users with multiple accounts.
  • Reliance on Internet Connection
    Push notifications and certain features within Microsoft Authenticator require an active internet connection, which might not always be available.
  • Lock-in to Microsoft Services
    The best features and integrations of Microsoft Authenticator are geared towards the Microsoft ecosystem, which might limit its effectiveness if users engage primarily with non-Microsoft services.

OTP Auth videos

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

Microsoft Authenticator videos

Microsoft Authenticator for Android

More videos:

  • Review - Using Microsoft Authenticator App to Protect Your Online Credential

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OTP Auth and Microsoft Authenticator)
Identity And Access Management
Password Management
57 57%
43% 43
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 Microsoft Authenticator

OTP Auth Reviews

We have no reviews of OTP Auth yet.
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Microsoft Authenticator Reviews

7 Best Google Authenticator Alternatives For Android And iOS
I’m still not sure why Google is not providing any passcode or app lock for their app when everybody else is doing it. Take Microsoft Authenticator, for example, this also lets you secure your accounts with the app lock.
The Best Authenticator Apps for 2023
Along with standard TOTP multi-factor support, Microsoft Authenticator includes optional secure password generation and lets you log in to Microsoft accounts with a button press or by tapping a two-digit number in a push notification. The app also enables schools and workplaces to register users’ devices. If you use this app, you can turn on account recovery. That way, when...
Source: www.pcmag.com
Top 6 Google Authenticator Alternatives in 2023
Available for both Android and iOS, Microsoft Authenticator offers a similar experience to Google’s, working with both Microsoft and non-Microsoft accounts.
The Best 2FA Apps 2021: Locking Down Your Online Accounts
The app supports passwordless authentication for Microsoft apps, including OneDrive and Office 365. With the app, you can approve your login using your phone’s fingerprint scanner, a face scan or any other way you can prove that you are who you say you are on your device. Microsoft Authenticator supports cloud backup, too, either through Microsoft’s own servers on...
10 best two-factor authenticator apps for Android
Microsoft Authenticator is Google Authenticator’s biggest competitor. It’s popular, it works well, and it works for stuff other than Microsoft apps. Otherwise, it’s actually a fairly simple app not unlike Google Authenticator. You log into a site or an app, it asks for a code, and you open this app to get one. We usually recommend Google Authenticator to people who use...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Microsoft Authenticator seems to be a lot more popular than OTP Auth. While we know about 124 links to Microsoft Authenticator, we've tracked only 11 mentions of OTP Auth. 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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Microsoft Authenticator mentions (124)

  • Ask HN: Is there hope for Microsoft 365 support?
    It has been a few years since I have dealt with Microsoft's postmasters team for email delivery issues but the link to to use to submit an email delivery issues is: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=614866. - Source: Hacker News / 1 day ago
  • [PostgreSQL][Entity Framework Core] Try ASP.NET Core Identity with React
    An error occurred while accessing the Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting services. Continuing without the application service provider. Error: The entry point exited without ever building an IHost. Unable to create a 'DbContext' of type 'RuntimeType'. The exception 'Unable to resolve service for type 'Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.DbContextOptions`1[OfficeFileAccessor.OfficeFileAccessorContext]' while attempting to... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Terraform Cookbook: Development Environment Recipe
    # Follow the [VSCode installation guide](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/setup/linux) for other instalation methods. Sudo apt-get install curl Curl -L -o vscode.deb https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=760868 Sudo apt install ./vscode.deb Code # After VSCode launch, use Quick Open (Ctrl+P), paste the command "ext install HashiCorp.terraform" and press enter. # Or install the extension... - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Run godoc Automatically
    { // See https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=733558 // for the documentation about the tasks.json format "version": "2.0.0", "tasks": [ { "label": "godoc", "type": "shell", "command": "godoc", "options": { "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}", "shell": { "args": ["-c"], ... - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • gRPC: um panorama do contexto histórico às aplicações práticas!
    Using GrpcDocumento.Services; Var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args); // Add services to the container. Builder.Services.AddGrpc(); Var app = builder.Build(); // Configure the HTTP request pipeline. App.MapGrpcService(); App.MapGet("/", () => "Communication with gRPC endpoints must be made through a gRPC client. To learn how to create a client, visit:... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing OTP Auth and Microsoft 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...

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

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

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

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

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