Multifactor authentication (MFA) is without doubt one of the best methods to boost safety, and with the rise of apps equivalent to Google Authenticator, the authentication technique has change into simpler to deploy.
Nevertheless, whether or not as a consequence of privateness considerations, an absence of updates (particularly with regards to open-source choices), or choice, many select to keep away from Google Authenticator.
Luckily, there’s no scarcity of rivals available on the market, every with distinct benefits. Listed here are among the high Google Authenticator options.
High Google Authenticator options: Comparability desk
| Product identify | 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 normal charges per channel |
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| Cisco Duo: Greatest for enterprises | Free as much as 10 customers Necessities: $3 per consumer, monthly Benefit: $6 per consumer, monthly Premium: $9 per consumer, monthly |
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| Yubico Safety Key: Greatest for a bodily safety key | Yubico safety keys can be found in numerous fashions and configurations, every with various costs. The pricing depends upon components 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 |
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Microsoft Authenticator: Greatest for a ‘big-name’ possibility
For these searching for a acknowledged and well-known supplier, I like to recommend Microsoft Authenticator. Obtainable for each Android and iOS, Microsoft Authenticator affords an identical 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 embody the power to now show the identify of the service, web site, or utility being accessed. This serves as a further layer of safety you need to 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 workforce can present a sturdy degree of assist for customers who’ve questions or points with the product. It can also present a constant degree 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
- Gives 2FA.
- Gives passwordless sign-in.
- Helps push notifications.
- Helps MFA.
Microsoft Authenticator execs 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. |
| Simple to make use of with Microsoft accounts and different supported providers. | Customers will need to 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 varied authentication strategies, together with biometrics and telephone sign-in. |
Twilio Authy: Greatest for backups and a number of units
If you need assist for a number of units, I counsel Twilio Authy. Though it isn’t as massive or extensively often known as Google or Microsoft, Twilio’s Authy app is without doubt one of the most spectacular and feature-rich Google Authenticator options. Twilio takes pleasure in the truth that its app can be utilized wherever Google Authenticator can be utilized, that means that these making the swap received’t hit any sudden compatibility points.
SEE: Authy vs Google Authenticator (TechRepublic)
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 accessible on a number of platforms, together with iOS, Android, and Chrome, with the power to synchronize your 2FA tokens throughout them in order that they’re at all times there while you want them. I recognize 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 supplies 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 said that OTPs could be despatched through wealthy communication providers (RCS), a safer technique than the default quick messaging (SMS) channel, because it’s in a position to make the most of Wi-Fi and mobile.
Why I selected Twilio Authy
Relying on the MFA answer, customers could possibly 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 power to sync and disable future installations for added safety.
Pricing
- Twilio expenses 5 cents per profitable verification plus normal charges per channel for its primary 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 execs and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| 2FA and MFA assist for varied authentication strategies. | Superior options and customization require the paid plan. |
| Smooth token characteristic eliminates the necessity for a bodily {hardware} token. | |
| Simple 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 advice is Cisco Duo. Some might discover Cisco’s identify a considerably shocking inclusion on this record, as many affiliate them extra with routers, web telephone methods, and different {hardware}. It’s no slouch on the software program aspect 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 embody a public preview for Verified Duo Push. This can be a characteristic that gives a larger degree 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 at the moment are machine-readable to permit cellular browsers to finish authentication with out extra consumer intervention.
For me, certainly one of Cisco’s largest 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 data know-how (IT) performance, equivalent to distant entry and entry management. This characteristic is focused at business prospects, nevertheless, and the pricing displays that.
Though most options to Google Authenticator are fully free however doubtlessly comparatively restricted when it comes to choices, Duo can provide 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 corresponding to what Google affords and can be sufficient for a lot of, though it faces competitors from the likes of Authy. If you need desktop entry or most of the extra specialised options Duo affords, or you have got greater than 10 customers, you’ll have to pay per consumer. Costs begin at $3 per consumer, monthly. That rises to $9 or doubtlessly even larger relying on precisely which options you want.
Since Microsoft Authenticator can also be another we recognized, you possibly can be taught extra in our article evaluating Cisco Duo vs Microsoft Authenticator.
Why I selected Cisco Duo
Implementing MFA for enterprises and enormous companies may be advanced. Nevertheless, I’m assured in saying that Cisco is a superb possibility to think about due to its Duo Coverage Engine. This software permits organizations to handle entry throughout totally different customers and ranges of the corporate. Permissions and insurance policies can be personalized based mostly on consumer places, remembered units, system well being, and extra.
Pricing
- Free as much as 10 customers, Necessities is $3 per consumer, monthly, Benefit is $6 per consumer, monthly, and Premium is $9 per consumer, monthly.
Options
- Danger-based authentication.
- SSO.
- Passwordless authentication.
- Full system visibility.
Cisco Duo execs and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Complete package deal for full zero-trust entry. | Costly for organizations with numerous customers looking for to make use of superior options. |
| VPN-less distant entry to non-public sources. | Could require extra setup and configuration, which could possibly 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 test. |
Yubico Safety Key: Greatest for a bodily safety key
For companies that require having a bodily safety key, I counsel going for Yubico Safety Key. This Google Authenticator various affords one thing totally different. Relatively 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 simple, the documentation is intensive and simple to grasp, 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 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 circumstances.
The YubiKey 5 collection is the most recent model of the product, which delivers extra choices together with the power to go for passwordless authentication, 2FA utilizing a password with an authenticator, in addition to MFA through passwordless verification and a PIN. It additionally affords a variety of phishing-resistant authentication protocols, equivalent to FIDO2/WebAuthn and Private Id Verification Good Card.
Pricing varies relying on the dimensions of your group and whether or not you’re trying to purchase the keys with an upfront cost or for those who 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 might choose to pay as soon as and be accomplished with it.
SEE: Multi-factor Authentication Deployment Information (TechRepublic Premium)
Why I selected Yubico Safety Key
I’ve Yubico on this record as a consequence 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 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 numerous fashions and configurations, every with various costs. The pricing depends upon components, 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 execs and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sturdy authentication with FIDO2 and U2F assist. | {Hardware} safety keys could possibly be costly for some. |
| Appropriate with varied platforms and providers, enhancing versatility and usefulness. | The necessity to have the bodily safety key for authentication might make them much less handy in comparison with mobile-based authentication strategies. |
| Gives the next degree of safety in opposition to 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 grievance 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 fully open supply.
Model 2 is the most recent main launch of FreeOTP. It launched a brand new materials design consumer interface, default branding for main providers, and the power to backup and restore tokens. Three minor updates have since been supplied, eliminating varied bugs and offering slight enhancements.
Obtainable on each Android and iOS, this authentication app is comparatively light-weight and minimalist, each when it comes to 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 record for its excessive degree of customization that isn’t potential with different personal or proprietary software program.
Pricing
Options
- 2FA.
- Open-source software program
- TOTP.
- HOTP.
SEE: The way to Create an Efficient Cybersecurity Consciousness Program (TechRepublic Premium)
FreeOTP execs and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Accessible and clear open-source software program. | Customers will need to have their cellular system with them throughout login, which could possibly be much less handy than hardware-based 2FA options. |
| Sturdy 2FA assist with TOTP and HOTP authentication strategies. | The reliance on a cellular system could possibly 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 reinforces reliability. |
How do I select amongst Google Authenticator options?
Chances are you’ll need to think about options to Google Authenticator for those who need the power 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 assist choices. Though firms that supply an MFA answer can accomplish the identical aim of offering larger safety in opposition to unauthorized entry to accounts, variations exist for the extent of safety supplied and performance that may have an effect on ease of implementation, use, and upkeep.
In choosing a product that’s suited to your wants, think about what you possibly can afford in addition to the options and traits most vital 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 significantly vulnerable to phishing assaults might want the peace of thoughts that comes with a Yubico phishing-resistant safety key. Equally, firms with staff that want various ranges of permissions might 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 concerned about studying extra, additionally try our video characteristic on the High Google Authenticator Options beneath.
Methodology
When making this record, we thought-about a variety of things to make sure that we might be bringing you the perfect Google Authenticator options. A few of the key areas the place these apps and providers needed to stack up are:
- Popularity: The software program should come from a reliable, respected firm.
- Reliability: It’s additionally vital that there’s minimal downtime, to make sure that you’re at all times in a position to securely entry your accounts and knowledge when wanted.
- Options: The apps in our choice provide a variety of options, and every was chosen, partially, for its capacity to satisfy the wants of particular customers in ways in which Google Authenticator and different options can’t.
- Consumer expertise: Whereas providing a excessive degree of safety and distinctive options is vital, so is the consumer 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 supplied you want and can benefit from their extra options.
