Authenticator apps are rising in adoption as they add one other layer of safety to consumer id verification. A research discovered 90% of organizations reported identity-related breaches final yr, and authenticator apps are designed to assist cut back this quantity.
Authenticator apps assist people and organizations double-check consumer id by utilizing two-factor or multi-factor authentication to confirm and authenticate consumer identities earlier than granting entry to them.
On this article, we’ll assessment the most effective authenticator apps in 2024 and discover their options, pricing and professionals and cons that can assist you determine the precise authenticator app for your small business.
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Dashlane
Staff per Firm Measurement
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Massive (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Micro (0-49 Staff), Small (50-249 Staff), Medium (250-999 Staff), Massive (1,000-4,999 Staff), Enterprise (5,000+ Staff)
Micro, Small, Medium, Massive, Enterprise
Options
Automated Provisioning
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ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus
Staff per Firm Measurement
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Massive (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Any Firm Measurement
Any Firm Measurement
Options
Multi-factor Authentication, Password Administration, Reporting and Analytics, and extra
Greatest authentication apps comparability
The desk beneath exhibits the important thing options of those apps, their pricing and the way they examine to one another.
| Software program | Biometric authentication | Backup and restoration | Authentication kind | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Authenticator | Sure | Sure | Time-based and counter-based codes. | Free |
| Microsoft Authenticator | Sure | Sure | Time-based codes, push notifications, biometrics. | Free |
| Twilio Authy | Sure | Sure | 2FA/MFA, OTP, tender tokens, push notification. | Begins at $0.05/ profitable verification |
| Cisco Duo | Sure | Sure | 2FA/MFA, FIDO2 for anti-phishing. | Begins at $3/consumer/month |
| Yubico Safety Key | Sure | Sure | 2FA/MFA, FIDO2 UF, contact/tap-and-go authentication utilizing NFC or USB. | Contact vendor for quote. |
| FreeOTP | Sure | No (however out there on FreeOTP+). | 2FA/MFA, push notification, {hardware} tokens, token-less authentication. | Free |
Google Authenticator: Greatest for safe offline authentication
Google Authenticator is a multi-factor authentication app that generates distinctive, time-sensitive codes to boost account safety. The app works by producing time-based one-time passcodes that customers enter along with their passwords when logging into their accounts. These passcodes are safe as they’re generated regionally (on the system) and never transmitted over the web.
In 2023, Google Authenticator was up to date to incorporate backup capabilities by means of cloud syncing. Nevertheless, customers have reported points with this function.
Why we selected Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator made it to our record attributable to its offline authentication help by means of regionally generated time-based passcodes.
Pricing
Utility is free.
Options
- 2FA.
- Cross-platform compatibility.
- Time-based one-time password.
- Offline performance.
- A number of account administration.
Professionals
- The appliance is free.
- Has an easy-to-use interface.
- Provides regionally generated passcodes for extra safety.
- It’s dependable because it doesn’t require an web connection to operate.
- Obtainable for a variety of customers throughout various web sites/platforms.
Cons
- Customers have reported points with cloud syncing function.
Microsoft Authenticator: Greatest for biometric authentication
Microsoft Authenticator is one other standard title within the authentication house. It’s out there to Microsoft, iOS and Android customers and offers MFA by means of time-based codes, push notifications and biometrics. For enhanced safety, you could have the choice to arrange a PIN or use biometric verification to entry the codes generated in your cellphone. The app additionally helps a password administration function that permits customers to do issues like settle for verified IDs from organizations and save fee card particulars and addresses.
With Microsoft Authenticator, you’ll be able to again up account credentials to the cloud, making it simpler to revive them while you change to a brand new system.
Why we selected Microsoft Authenticator
This authenticator was chosen for its flexibility displayed by means of its a number of authentication options reminiscent of PIN code, push notifications and biometric authentication for a seamless log-in expertise.
Pricing
The appliance is free.
Options
- Push notifications.
- Password autofill.
- Biometric authentication.
- Cloud backup.
- A number of account administration.
Professionals
- Helps a variety of internet sites and providers.
- The appliance is free.
- Supplies MFA for simple entry.
- Provides cloud backup and knowledge restoration for misplaced gadgets or emergencies.
- Provides cross-device and cross-platform compatibility.
Cons
- Doesn’t work offline.
- Push notifications can expertise delays.
Twilio Authy: Greatest for cross-platform compatibility
Twilio Authy not solely generates TOTP but in addition provides three different varieties of authentication: OTP, tender tokens and push authentication. It offers biometric authentication and multi-device performance, enabling customers to sync their 2FA tokens throughout new gadgets. This ensures easy accessibility to accounts, no matter which system is getting used. Moreover, it permits customers to deauthorize dangerous, stolen or retired gadgets for added safety. Different notable options embody an encrypted cloud backup and restoration, enhanced token safety with backup passwords, grasp passwords and PIN safety.
The app is out there in each cell and desktop variations.
Why we selected Twilio Authy
This instrument was chosen for its versatility throughout gadgets and platforms for authentication and safety, simplifying entry to on-line accounts whatever the system or platform used.
Pricing
Authy provides versatile, pay‑as‑you‑go pricing for multi‑channel consumer verification. Each profitable verification is charged at $0.05. For a high-volume plan, contact the seller for a quote.
Options
- Multi-device help.
- Encrypted cloud backup and restoration.
- Enhanced token safety with grasp passwords and PIN safety.
- Cross-platform compatibility.
- Push authentication.
Professionals
- Provides offline accessibility.
- Supplies three varieties of authentication.
- Provides multi-device synchronization.
- Has a cell and desktop model.
- Supplies encrypted cloud backup and restoration.
- Provides enhanced token safety.
Cons
- Having tokens on a number of gadgets and storing them within the cloud could be dangerous.
- Web dependability could also be limiting in emergency setups/sync.
Cisco Duo: Greatest for strong safety features
Duo by Cisco is an easy-to-use cloud-based authenticator with a useful onboarding function that permits new customers to arrange their accounts primarily based on their safety wants or priorities. It provides 2FA and MFA authentication and FIDO2 choices for phishing-resistant authentication.
The desktop model (Duo Desktop) checks the well being and safety of endpoint gadgets with every authentication earlier than offering entry to protected functions and assets. Utilizing the ideas of zero belief, it offers IT groups with distant entry to functions in addition to adaptive entry. The cell model (Duo Cellular app) includes a mixture of location-based id verification with push verification. This allows customers to get a studying of their location earlier than a log-in affirmation.
Why we selected Duo
Duo made it to our record due to its strong safety features out there in each the cell and desktop variations.
Pricing
Along with its free plan for as much as 10 customers (finest for people or a small group), Duo provides a 30-day free trial and three paid subscriptions for medium to massive enterprises:
- Duo Necessities: $3 per consumer per thirty days.
- Duo Benefit: $6 per consumer per thirty days.
- Duo Premier: $9 per consumer per thirty days.
Options
- Duo Restore.
- Versatile multi-factor authentication.
- Distant and adaptive entry.
- Single sign-on performance.
- Duo Push.
Professionals
- Provides location-based id verification.
- Supplies FIDO2 choices for phishing assaults.
- Provides system well being standing monitoring.
- Supplies safe distant entry for groups.
- Provides cloud backup and knowledge restoration.
Cons
Yubico Authenticator: Greatest for hardware-based authentication
Yubico Authenticator permits customers to generate 2FA codes on each cell and desktop gadgets. One in every of its standout options is its hardware-backed authentication, which units it other than different authenticators. In contrast to different authentication apps that retailer secrets and techniques in your cellphone or laptop, Yubico Authenticator shops credentials within the YubiKey {hardware} safety key. Which means even should you lose your cellphone or entry to the Yubico Authenticator app, your credentials stay safe and can’t be extracted, making certain that you just gained’t be locked out of your accounts. It additionally provides a seamless contact or tap-and-go authentication utilizing Close to Area Communication (NFC) and helps FIDO2/WebAuthn and FIDO U2F for consumer entry safety.
The app is appropriate with all main platforms, together with Home windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, making it a flexible answer for customers throughout totally different gadgets and working programs. Worthy of point out is that the Yubico authenticator app can be appropriate with different authentication apps utilizing the smartcard certificates saved on the YubiKey.
Why we selected Yubico
We selected Yubico for its wealthy {hardware} authentication options reminiscent of Yubico Safety Key and contact authenticator utilizing NFC or USB.
Pricing
Yubico provides YubiEnterprise Subscription, a month-to-month subscription-based tier for companies with 500 customers or extra. People and small to medium-sized companies can buy particular person merchandise primarily based on their wants. For a quote, contact the seller.
Options
- FIDO2/WebAuthn and FIDO U2F help.
- Bodily safety key.
- Contact or tap-and-go authentication with NFC or USB.
- Cross-platform compatibility.
- 2FA and MFA.
Professionals
- Supplies cross-platform protection.
- Provides moveable credentials throughout gadgets.
- Supplies hardware-backed safety.
- Helps FIDO2/WebAuthn and FIDO U2F for enhanced safety.
- Provides one-touch authentication with USB/NFC help.
Cons
- The enterprise-ready safety keys are solely out there to YubiEnterprise Subscribers.
FreeOTP: Greatest for open-source authentication
FreeOTP is an open-source, enterprise-grade authentication answer whose repositories are continuously up to date to boost safety. It offers varied strategies of authentication, together with SMS, e mail, {hardware} tokens, cell push notifications and tokenless authentication like QR code scanning. This authenticator integrates with a number of apps, providers and protocols, making it appropriate for various environments. As well as, it provides adaptive authentication that permits organizations to customise authentication insurance policies tailor-made to fulfill their safety wants primarily based on consumer habits and threat elements.
Why we selected FreeOTP
FreeOTP was chosen for its open-source nature that permits organizations to fine-tune it for particular use instances.
Pricing
It is a free-for-all instrument.
Options
- Open-source software program.
- TOTP.
- Tokenless authentication.
- Adaptive authentication.
- HMAC-based OTP.
- MFA.
Professionals
- Provides integration with current functions.
- Supplies easy accessibility in that it’s open-source.
- Utility is free.
- Provides offline availability.
- Helps 2FA with TOTP and HOTP authentication.
Cons
- Its intensive options and customization choices setup may be advanced for brand spanking new customers.
How to decide on the most effective authentication apps
In selecting an authentication app, organizations should consider their dimension, current construction, price range and particular safety wants. For instance, a corporation with fewer than 500 staff would underutilize the YubiEnterprise Subscription due to its bodily keys. In case you want an authenticator app that gives various kinds of authentication and works on a number of gadgets concurrently, you’ll be able to go for Authy. In case your precedence is an open-source authentication app for simple customization, you must contemplate FreeOTP. If you wish to tilt towards a {hardware} authenticator or bodily keys, then the Yubico Safety Key’s your finest guess. Take into account that every of the reviewed authenticators delivers high quality providers, however every instrument’s utility will rely in your authentication wants.
Methodology
For this assessment, I thought-about some key options of those options, specializing in their safety particulars, accessibility and efficiency. Having obtained ample data from the distributors’ web sites, I additionally checked for consumer suggestions for the paid options. For firsthand expertise, I reinstalled Google Authenticator and used it to energy 2FA for my Twitter and Fb accounts and in addition Microsoft Authenticator for my Outlook account. Whereas it was fairly straightforward to navigate the Google Authenticator with its easy interface and TOTP, safety was tighter with Microsoft Authenticator as I wanted to make use of biometrics to see the codes generated for every account log-in try and I additionally needed to enter the code on the account searching for entry.
