Multifactor authentication (MFA) is likely one of the best methods to reinforce safety, and with the rise of apps similar to Google Authenticator, the authentication technique has change into simpler to deploy.
Nevertheless, whether or not as a result of privateness considerations, a scarcity of updates (particularly on the subject of open-source choices), or choice, many select to keep away from Google Authenticator.
Happily, there’s no scarcity of rivals in the marketplace, every with distinct benefits. Listed here are a number of the high Google Authenticator alternate options.
High Google Authenticator alternate options: Comparability desk
| Microsoft Authenticator | Free |
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| Twilio Authy | 5 cents per profitable verification plus normal charges per channel |
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| Cisco Duo | Begins at $3 per person, per thirty days |
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| Yubico Safety Key | Begins at $25 for his or her Safety Key NFC |
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| FreeOTP | Free |
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Microsoft Authenticator: Greatest for a ‘big-name’ choice
For these on the lookout for a acknowledged and well-known supplier, I like to recommend Microsoft Authenticator. Out there for each Android and iOS, Microsoft Authenticator affords an analogous expertise to Google’s, working with each Microsoft and non-Microsoft accounts.
No passwords are required and accounts are accessible by way of PIN code, fingerprint, or face recognition. I personally like how there’s an choice to again up credentials to the cloud, however this requires a private Microsoft account, with iOS customers additionally needing to hyperlink to an iCloud account.
Latest notable enhancements Microsoft has made embody the flexibility to now show the identify of the service, web site, or software being accessed. This serves as an extra layer of safety you should utilize to substantiate the authenticity of an MFA request.
Why I selected Microsoft Authenticator
As a big, established firm, I really feel Microsoft and the Microsoft Authenticator crew can present a strong degree of help for customers who’ve questions or points with the product. It can also present a constant degree of updates to supply new options and patch bugs with the software program.
Pricing
- Free and obtainable for obtain from Apple Retailer or Google Play Retailer.
Options
- Gives 2FA.
- Gives passwordless sign-in.
- Helps push notifications.
- Helps MFA.
Microsoft Authenticator professionals and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| 2FA and MFA present an additional layer of safety. | Not all providers help Microsoft Authentication for 2FA or MFA, which limits its utilization. |
| Straightforward to make use of with Microsoft accounts and different supported providers. | Customers should have the app put in on their cell gadget to make use of 2FA or MFA, which creates problems if the gadget is misplaced or unavailable. |
| Person-friendly interface with push notification approval for MFA. | |
| Helps varied authentication strategies, together with biometrics and telephone sign-in. |
Twilio Authy: Greatest for backups and a number of units
If you would like help for a number of units, I recommend Twilio Authy. Though it isn’t as large or extensively generally known as Google or Microsoft, Twilio’s Authy app is likely one of the most spectacular and feature-rich authenticators obtainable. Twilio takes pleasure in the truth that its app can be utilized wherever Google Authenticator can be utilized, which means that these making the swap gained’t hit any sudden compatibility points.
It affords its personal distinct benefits with some main quality-of-life options that make it simpler to securely entry your knowledge. The app is on the market on a number of platforms, together with iOS, Android, and Chrome, with the flexibility to synchronize your 2FA tokens throughout units. I admire the way it allows customers to view and edit their units at any time and create securely encrypted backups in case any of them are ever misplaced or stolen.
Twilio offers common updates for its Authy app, with the newest enchancment involving the supply technique of one-time passwords (OTPs). Starting in February 2024, the corporate acknowledged that OTPs could be despatched by way of wealthy communication providers (RCS), a safer technique than the default quick messaging (SMS) channel, because it’s capable of make the most of Wi-Fi and mobile.
Why I selected Twilio Authy
Relying on the MFA answer, customers may very well be locked out of their accounts in the event that they lose their telephone or different gadget. That is the place I discover Twilio actually succeeds. It permits customers to again up all 2FA tokens and restore them within the occasion that they lose their main units. Twilio additionally offers options to handle a number of units, together with the flexibility to sync and disable future installations for added safety.
Pricing
- Twilio prices 5 cents per profitable verification plus normal charges per channel for its fundamental model that features 2FA, however customized pricing is obtainable for extra superior options.
Options
- 2FA.
- Multidevice sync.
- Tender token and backup.
- MFA.
- TOTP.
Twilio Authy professionals and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| 2FA and MFA help for varied authentication strategies. | Superior options and customization require the paid plan. |
| Tender token characteristic eliminates the necessity for a bodily {hardware} token. | |
| Straightforward setup course of and user-friendly interface. | |
| Multidevice sync means customers can entry 2FA codes on totally different units. |
Cisco Duo: Greatest for enterprises
For enterprises, my high suggestion is Cisco Duo. Some could discover Cisco’s identify a considerably stunning inclusion on this listing, as many affiliate them extra with routers, web telephone programs, and different {hardware}. It’s no slouch on the software program aspect although, with Duo providing a really robust enterprise-level Google Authenticator different.
As a part of its latest batch of updates, notable additions embody a public preview for Verified Duo Push. It is a characteristic that gives a larger degree of safety by asking customers for an extra verification code for push requests. Codes despatched by way of SMS textual content message have additionally been streamlined, as codes are actually machine-readable to permit cell browsers to finish authentication with out extra person intervention.
For me, one in all Cisco’s greatest strengths as an MFA answer is that it’s a part of a set of software program, which can be used to arrange and handle different helpful info know-how (IT) performance, similar to distant entry and entry management. This characteristic is focused at industrial clients, nevertheless, and the pricing displays that.
Though most alternate options to Google Authenticator are utterly free, Duo can provide you a large number when you’re keen to pay for it. The free choice, which Cisco advises is aimed towards people and really small groups, is most corresponding to what Google affords and can be sufficient for a lot of, though it faces competitors from the likes of Authy. If you would like desktop entry or most of the extra specialised options Duo affords, or you might have greater than 10 customers, you’ll have to pay per person. Costs begin at $3 per person, per thirty days. That rises to $9 or probably even greater relying on precisely which options you want.
Since Microsoft Authenticator can be an alternate we recognized, you’ll be able to study extra in our article evaluating Cisco Duo vs Microsoft Authenticator.
Why I selected Cisco Duo
Implementing MFA for enterprises and huge companies will be complicated. Nevertheless, I’m assured in saying that Cisco is a wonderful choice to think about due to its Duo Coverage Engine. This device permits organizations to handle entry throughout totally different customers and ranges of the corporate. Permissions and insurance policies can be custom-made based mostly on person areas, remembered units, gadget well being, and extra.
Pricing
- Free as much as 10 customers, Necessities is $3 per person, per thirty days, Benefit is $6 per person, per thirty days, and Premium is $9 per person, per thirty days.
Options
- Danger-based authentication.
- SSO.
- Passwordless authentication.
- Full gadget visibility.
Cisco Duo professionals and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Complete bundle for full zero-trust entry. | Costly for organizations with numerous customers in search of to make use of superior options. |
| VPN-less distant entry to non-public sources. | Might require extra setup and configuration, which may very well be difficult for non-technical customers. |
| Person-friendly and easy-to-use interface for each finish customers and directors. | |
| Full gadget belief with an endpoint safety verify. |
Yubico Safety Key: Greatest for a bodily safety key
For companies that require having a bodily safety key, I recommend going for Yubico Safety Key. Relatively than counting on an app put in on a telephone or desktop, Yubico offers a bodily key that serves as an authenticator. This key, which is available in USB-A and USB-C variations, will work out of the field with the entire main web sites you’d anticipate it to, in addition to frequent password managers and different software program.
Utilization is easy, the documentation is in depth and simple to know, and the important thing itself feels very stable and sturdy. In addition to the usual USB plug connectivity, tap-and-go authentication for cell apps is included. I like how Yubico affords keys with much more options, such because the YubiKey Bio collection, which integrates biometric safety via the inclusion of a fingerprint sensor. This makes their product adaptable to totally different characteristic necessities, enterprise wants, or use instances.
The YubiKey 5 collection is the most recent model of the product, which delivers extra choices together with the flexibility to go for passwordless authentication, 2FA utilizing a password with an authenticator, in addition to MFA by way of passwordless verification and a PIN. It additionally affords a variety of phishing-resistant authentication protocols, similar to FIDO2/WebAuthn and Private Id Verification Good Card.
Pricing varies relying on the scale of your group and whether or not you’re seeking to purchase the keys with an upfront cost or when you select to subscribe. Subscribing can provide some financial savings to bigger organizations, however people and smaller companies who’re assured they aren’t going to lose their keys could choose to pay as soon as and be completed with it.
Why I selected Yubico Safety Key
I’ve Yubico on this listing as a result of its handy bodily safety keys which have authentication protocols, that are phishing-resistant. It additionally has a vulnerability current with SMS and another strategies of cell MFA. Keys are simple to make use of and are supported by a variety of on-line providers and apps. Safety keys can be used to safe computer systems and even bodily areas.
Pricing
- Yubico safety keys can be found in several fashions and configurations, every with various costs. The pricing relies on components, together with the mannequin, connectivity ― USB-A, USB-C, NFC, and others ― and options of the safety key.
Options
- 2FA.
- FIDO2 and U2F help.
- Multiprotocol help.
- Bodily safety.
Yubico Safety Key professionals and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Robust authentication with FIDO2 and U2F help. | {Hardware} safety keys may very well be costly for some. |
| Suitable with varied platforms and providers, enhancing versatility and usefulness. | The necessity to have the bodily safety key for authentication could make them much less handy in comparison with mobile-based authentication strategies. |
| Gives a better degree of safety towards account compromise. | |
| Passwordless login, bettering person expertise and safety. |
SEE: Intrusion Detection Coverage (TechRepublic Premium)
FreeOTP: Greatest for an open-source different
For transparency and privateness lovers, I encourage you to take a look at FreeOTP. One criticism about Google Authenticator is that it’s now not open supply, with the related repositories not up to date for a number of years. This isn’t a difficulty with FreeOTP, nevertheless, because it’s utterly open supply.
Model 2 is the most recent main launch of FreeOTP. It launched a brand new materials design person interface, default branding for main providers, and the flexibility to backup and restore tokens. Three minor updates have since been offered, eliminating varied bugs and offering slight enhancements.
Out there on each Android and iOS, this authentication app is comparatively light-weight and minimalist, each when it comes to person expertise and options.
Why I selected FreeOTP
As open-source software program, FreeOTP can present customers with sooner updates and resolutions to issues like bugs and vulnerabilities. It additionally marked itself on my listing for its excessive degree of customization that’s not doable with different non-public or proprietary software program.
Pricing
Options
- 2FA.
- Open-source software program
- TOTP.
- HOTP.
FreeOTP professionals and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Accessible and clear open-source software program. | Customers should have their cell gadget with them throughout login, which may very well be much less handy than hardware-based 2FA options. |
| Robust 2FA help with TOTP and HOTP authentication strategies. | The reliance on a cell gadget may very well be a priority if the gadget is misplaced, broken, or unavailable. |
| Cross-platform availability for Android and iOS units. | |
| Works offline without having for an web connection throughout authentication, which reinforces reliability. |
How do I select amongst Google Authenticator alternate options?
Chances are you’ll need to contemplate alternate options to Google Authenticator when you want the flexibility to customise your technique of MFA, have to handle a number of units or customers, choose utilizing a bodily safety key, or need to work with an organization that has totally different help choices. Though firms that supply an MFA answer can accomplish the identical objective of offering larger safety towards unauthorized entry to accounts, variations exist for the extent of safety offered and performance that may have an effect on ease of implementation, use, and upkeep.
In choosing a product that’s suited to your wants, contemplate what you’ll be able to afford in addition to the options and traits most essential to you. Take into consideration variations in what’s supplied for layers of authentication, backup and restore choices, encryption protocols, customization, help choices, and instruments to handle permissions for person teams.
For instance, people or companies significantly vulnerable to phishing assaults might want the peace of thoughts that comes with a Yubico phishing-resistant safety key. Alternatively, firms with workers that want various ranges of permissions could need to look into Cisco’s Duo Coverage Engine.
Whatever the choice you select, including MFA offers a layer of safety that may shield you from having to take care of the ramifications of permitting unauthorized entry to your accounts.
For these focused on studying extra, additionally try our video characteristic on the High Google Authenticator Options under.
Methodology
When making this listing, we thought of a spread of things to make sure that we might be bringing you the easiest Google Authenticator alternate options. Among the key areas the place these apps and providers needed to stack up are:
- Repute: The software program should come from a reliable, respected firm.
- Reliability: It’s additionally essential that there’s minimal downtime, to make sure that you’re at all times capable of securely entry your accounts and knowledge when wanted.
- Options: The apps in our choice provide a spread of options, and every was chosen, partially, for its potential to satisfy the wants of particular customers in ways in which Google Authenticator and different alternate options can not.
- Person expertise: Whereas providing a excessive degree of safety and distinctive options is essential, so is the person expertise, so we gave priority to choices which might be simple for customers to make use of.
- Worth: Though a few of our high picks are free, others aren’t. Nevertheless, the paid choices provide distinctive worth offered you want and can benefit from their extra options.
This text was printed in November 2024. It was up to date by Luis Millares in July 2025.
