Multifactor authentication (MFA) is likely one of the best methods to reinforce safety, and with the rise of apps equivalent to Google Authenticator, the authentication technique has change into simpler to deploy.
Nonetheless, whether or not on account of privateness issues, an absence of updates (particularly in relation to open-source choices), or desire, many select to keep away from Google Authenticator.
Happily, there’s no scarcity of opponents in the marketplace, every with distinct benefits. Listed below are a few of the prime Google Authenticator alternate options.
Dashlane
Workers per Firm Measurement
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Giant (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Micro (0-49 Workers), Medium (250-999 Workers), Enterprise (5,000+ Workers), Giant (1,000-4,999 Workers), Small (50-249 Workers)
Micro, Medium, Enterprise, Giant, Small
Options
Automated Provisioning
ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus
Workers per Firm Measurement
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Giant (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Any Firm Measurement
Any Firm Measurement
Options
Entry Administration, Compliance Administration, Credential Administration, and extra
High Google Authenticator alternate options: Comparability desk
| Product title | Pricing | Key Options |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Authenticator: Greatest for a “big-name” possibility | Free |
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| Twilio Authy: Greatest for backups and a number of units | 5 cents per profitable verification plus commonplace charges per channel |
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| Cisco Duo: Greatest for enterprises | Free as much as 10 customers Necessities: $3 per consumer, per thirty days Benefit: $6 per consumer, per thirty days Premium: $9 per consumer, per thirty days |
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| Yubico Safety Key: Greatest for a bodily safety key | Yubico safety keys can be found in several fashions and configurations, every with various costs. The pricing will depend on elements just like the mannequin, connectivity―equivalent to USB-A, USB-C, and near-field communication (NFC)―and options of the safety key |
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| FreeOTP: Greatest for an open-source various | Free |
|
Microsoft Authenticator: Greatest for a ‘big-name’ possibility
For these in search of a acknowledged and well-known supplier, I like to recommend Microsoft Authenticator. Obtainable for each Android and iOS, Microsoft Authenticator presents the same expertise to Google’s, working with each Microsoft and non-Microsoft accounts.
No passwords are required. Accounts are accessible utilizing a 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 embrace the flexibility to now show the title of the service, web site, or software being accessed. This serves as a further layer of safety you should use 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 group can present a sturdy stage of assist for customers who’ve questions or points with the product. It can also present a constant stage of updates to offer new options and patch bugs with the software program.
Pricing
- Free and accessible for obtain from Apple Retailer or Google Play Retailer.
Options
- Offers 2FA.
- Offers 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 assist 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 cellular system to make use of 2FA or MFA, which creates issues if the system is misplaced or unavailable. |
| Consumer-friendly interface with push notification approval for MFA. | |
| Helps numerous authentication strategies, together with biometrics and telephone sign-in. |
Twilio Authy: Greatest for backups and a number of units
If you would like assist for a number of units, I recommend Twilio Authy. Though it isn’t as large or extensively often called Google or Microsoft, Twilio’s Authy app is likely one of the most spectacular and feature-rich Google Authenticator alternate options. Twilio takes delight in the truth that its app can be utilized anyplace Google Authenticator can be utilized, which means that these making the change received’t hit any surprising compatibility points.
SEE: Authy vs Google Authenticator (TechRepublic)
It presents its personal distinct benefits with some main quality-of-life options that make it simpler to securely entry your information. The app is accessible on a number of platforms, together with iOS, Android, and Chrome, with the flexibility to synchronize your 2FA tokens throughout them in order that they’re all the time there if you want them. I respect the way it permits 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 supplies common updates for its Authy app, with the latest enchancment involving the supply technique of one-time passwords (OTPs). Starting in February 2024, the corporate acknowledged that OTPs can be despatched through 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 resolution, customers may very well be locked out of their accounts in the event that they lose their telephone or different system. 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 major units. Twilio additionally supplies options to handle a number of units, together with the flexibility to sync and disable future installations for added safety.
Pricing
- Twilio fees 5 cents per profitable verification plus commonplace charges per channel for its fundamental model that features 2FA, however customized pricing is obtainable for extra superior options.
Options
- 2FA.
- Multidevice sync.
- Smooth token and backup.
- MFA.
- TOTP.
Twilio Authy professionals and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| 2FA and MFA assist for numerous authentication strategies. | Superior options and customization require the paid plan. |
| Smooth 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 completely different units. |
Cisco Duo: Greatest for enterprises
For enterprises, my prime suggestion is Cisco Duo. Some could discover Cisco’s title a considerably stunning inclusion on this checklist, as many affiliate them extra with routers, web telephone techniques, and different {hardware}. It’s no slouch on the software program facet although, with Duo providing a really sturdy enterprise-level Google Authenticator various.
SEE: Greatest Authenticator Apps for 2024 (TechRepublic)
As a part of its latest batch of updates, notable additions embrace a public preview for Verified Duo Push. This can be a characteristic that gives a higher stage of safety by asking customers for a further verification code for push requests. Codes despatched through SMS textual content message have additionally been streamlined, as codes are actually machine-readable to permit cellular browsers to finish authentication with out extra consumer intervention.
For me, one among Cisco’s greatest strengths as an MFA resolution is that it’s a part of a collection of software program, which will also be used to arrange and handle different helpful info know-how (IT) performance, equivalent to distant entry and entry management. This characteristic is focused at business clients, nonetheless, and the pricing displays that.
Though most alternate options to Google Authenticator are fully free however probably comparatively restricted by way of choices, Duo can supply you numerous for those who’re keen to pay for it. The free possibility, which Cisco advises is aimed towards people and really small groups, is most akin to what Google presents 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 presents, or you could have greater than 10 customers, you’ll must pay per consumer. Costs begin at $3 per consumer, per thirty days. That rises to $9 or probably even larger relying on precisely which options you want.
Since Microsoft Authenticator can also be another 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 enormous companies could be complicated. Nonetheless, I’m assured in saying that Cisco is a wonderful possibility to contemplate due to its Duo Coverage Engine. This instrument permits organizations to handle entry throughout completely different customers and ranges of the corporate. Permissions and insurance policies will also be custom-made based mostly on consumer places, remembered units, system well being, and extra.
Pricing
- Free as much as 10 customers, Necessities is $3 per consumer, per thirty days, Benefit is $6 per consumer, per thirty days, and Premium is $9 per consumer, per thirty days.
Options
- Danger-based authentication.
- SSO.
- Passwordless authentication.
- Full system visibility.
Cisco Duo professionals and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Complete bundle for full zero-trust entry. | Costly for organizations with a lot of 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. |
| Consumer-friendly and easy-to-use interface for each finish customers and directors. | |
| Full system belief with an endpoint safety examine. |
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. This Google Authenticator various presents one thing completely different. Reasonably than counting on an app put in on a telephone or desktop, Yubico supplies 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 all the main web sites you’d anticipate it to, in addition to widespread 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 strong and sturdy. In addition to the usual USB plug connectivity, tap-and-go authentication for cellular apps is included. I like how Yubico presents 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 completely different characteristic necessities, enterprise wants, or use circumstances.
The YubiKey 5 collection is the newest 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 through passwordless verification and a PIN. It additionally presents a variety of phishing-resistant authentication protocols, equivalent to FIDO2/WebAuthn and Private Identification Verification Sensible 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 for those who select to subscribe. Subscribing can supply some financial savings to bigger organizations, however people and smaller companies who’re assured they aren’t going to lose their keys could favor to pay as soon as and be finished with it.
SEE: Multi-factor Authentication Deployment Information (TechRepublic Premium)
Why I selected Yubico Safety Key
I’ve Yubico on this checklist on account 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 cellular MFA. Keys are straightforward to make use of and are supported by a variety of on-line providers and apps. Safety keys will also 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 will depend on elements, together with the mannequin, connectivity ― USB-A, USB-C, NFC, and others ― and options of the safety key.
Options
- 2FA.
- FIDO2 and U2F assist.
- Multiprotocol assist.
- Bodily safety.
Yubico Safety Key professionals and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Robust authentication with FIDO2 and U2F assist. | {Hardware} safety keys may very well be costly for some. |
| Suitable with numerous 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. |
| Offers the next stage of safety towards account compromise. | |
| Passwordless login, enhancing consumer expertise and safety. |
FreeOTP: Greatest for an open-source various
For transparency and privateness lovers, I encourage you to take a look at FreeOTP. One criticism about Google Authenticator is that it’s not open supply, with the related repositories not up to date for a number of years. This isn’t a difficulty with FreeOTP, nonetheless, because it’s fully open supply.
Model 2 is the newest main launch of FreeOTP. It launched a brand new materials design consumer interface, default branding for main providers, and the flexibility to backup and restore tokens. Three minor updates have since been offered, eliminating numerous bugs and offering slight enhancements.
Obtainable on each Android and iOS, this authentication app is comparatively light-weight and minimalist, each by way of consumer 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 checklist for its excessive stage of customization that’s not doable with different non-public or proprietary software program.
Pricing
Options
- 2FA.
- Open-source software program
- TOTP.
- HOTP.
SEE: Find out how to Create an Efficient Cybersecurity Consciousness Program (TechRepublic Premium)
FreeOTP professionals and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Accessible and clear open-source software program. | Customers should have their cellular system with them throughout login, which may very well be much less handy than hardware-based 2FA options. |
| Robust 2FA assist with TOTP and HOTP authentication strategies. | The reliance on a cellular system may very well be a priority if the system is misplaced, broken, or unavailable. |
| Cross-platform availability for Android and iOS units. | |
| Works offline without having for an web connection throughout authentication, which boosts reliability. |
How do I select amongst Google Authenticator alternate options?
You could need to think about alternate options to Google Authenticator for those who want the flexibility to customise your technique of MFA, must handle a number of units or customers, favor utilizing a bodily safety key, or need to work with an organization that has completely different assist choices. Though firms that provide an MFA resolution can accomplish the identical aim of offering higher 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 deciding on a product that’s suited to your wants, think about 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, and assist choices, and instruments to handle permissions for consumer teams.
For instance, people or companies notably susceptible to phishing assaults might want the peace of thoughts that comes with a Yubico phishing-resistant safety key. Equally, firms with workers that want various ranges of permissions could need to look into Cisco’s Duo Coverage Engine.
Whatever the possibility you select, including MFA supplies a layer of safety that may shield you from having to cope with the ramifications of permitting unauthorized entry to your accounts.
For these fascinated about studying extra, additionally take a look at our video characteristic on the High Google Authenticator Options beneath.
Methodology
When making this checklist, we thought of a spread of things to make sure that we might be bringing you the easiest Google Authenticator alternate options. A few of the key areas the place these apps and providers needed to stack up are:
- Status: 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 all the time capable of securely entry your accounts and information when wanted.
- Options: The apps in our choice supply a spread of options, and every was chosen, partly, for its capacity to fulfill the wants of particular customers in ways in which Google Authenticator and different alternate options can’t.
- Consumer expertise: Whereas providing a excessive stage of safety and distinctive options is essential, so is the consumer expertise, so we gave priority to choices which are straightforward for customers to make use of.
- Worth: Though a few of our prime picks are free, others aren’t. Nonetheless, the paid choices supply distinctive worth offered you want and can make the most of their extra options.
