Multifactor authentication (MFA) is without doubt one of the handiest methods to boost safety, and with the rise of apps reminiscent of Google Authenticator, the authentication methodology has develop into simpler to deploy.
Nonetheless, whether or not as a consequence of privateness issues, an absence of updates (particularly with regards to open-source choices), or desire, many select to keep away from Google Authenticator.
Luckily, there’s no scarcity of rivals in the marketplace, every with distinct benefits. Listed below are a number of the high Google Authenticator alternate options.
Prime 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 gadgets | 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 several fashions and configurations, every with various costs. The pricing relies on components just like the mannequin, connectivity―reminiscent of 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 on the lookout 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.
Current 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 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 group 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 offer new options and patch bugs with the software program.
Pricing
- Free and accessible for obtain from Apple Retailer or Google Play Retailer.
Options
- Supplies 2FA.
- Supplies passwordless sign-in.
- Helps push notifications.
- Helps MFA.
Microsoft Authenticator professionals and cons
| Professionals | 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 will need to have the app put in on their cellular machine to make use of 2FA or MFA, which creates problems if the machine 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 gadgets
If you’d like help for a number of gadgets, I counsel Twilio Authy. Though it isn’t as massive or broadly often known as Google or Microsoft, Twilio’s Authy app is without doubt 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, that means that these making the change received’t hit any surprising 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 out there on a number of platforms, together with iOS, Android, and Chrome, with the flexibility to synchronize your 2FA tokens throughout them so that they’re at all times there if you want them. I respect the way it allows customers to view and edit their gadgets 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 methodology of one-time passwords (OTPs). Starting in February 2024, the corporate said that OTPs can be despatched through wealthy communication providers (RCS), a safer methodology than the default brief 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 resolution, customers might be locked out of their accounts in the event that they lose their telephone or different machine. 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 gadgets. Twilio additionally offers options to handle a number of gadgets, together with the flexibility to sync and disable future installations for added safety.
Pricing
- Twilio costs 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 professionals and cons
| Professionals | Cons |
|---|---|
| 2FA and MFA help 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 gadgets. |
Cisco Duo: Greatest for enterprises
For enterprises, my high advice is Cisco Duo. Some might 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 robust 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. It is a characteristic that gives a better 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 are actually machine-readable to permit cellular browsers to finish authentication with out extra consumer intervention.
For me, one among Cisco’s largest strengths as an MFA resolution is that it’s a part of a set of software program, which may also be used to arrange and handle different helpful info expertise (IT) performance, reminiscent of distant entry and entry management. This characteristic is focused at business prospects, nonetheless, and the pricing displays that.
Though most alternate options to Google Authenticator are utterly free however doubtlessly comparatively restricted by way of choices, Duo can provide you a large number in case you’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 affords and can be sufficient for a lot of, though it faces competitors from the likes of Authy. If you’d like desktop entry or lots of the extra specialised options Duo affords, or you’ve 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 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 enormous companies could be complicated. Nonetheless, I’m assured in saying that Cisco is a superb possibility to contemplate due to its Duo Coverage Engine. This software permits organizations to handle entry throughout completely different customers and ranges of the corporate. Permissions and insurance policies may also be personalized based mostly on consumer places, remembered gadgets, machine 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 machine visibility.
Cisco Duo professionals and cons
| Professionals | Cons |
|---|---|
| Complete package deal for full zero-trust entry. | Costly for organizations with a lot of customers looking for to make use of superior options. |
| VPN-less distant entry to personal assets. | Could require extra setup and configuration, which might be difficult for non-technical customers. |
| Consumer-friendly and easy-to-use interface for each finish customers and directors. | |
| Full machine 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 counsel going for Yubico Safety Key. This Google Authenticator various affords one thing completely different. Slightly 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 count on it to, in addition to frequent password managers and different software program.
Utilization is simple, the documentation is intensive 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 cellular apps is included. I like how Yubico affords keys with much more options, such because the YubiKey Bio sequence, 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 sequence 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 affords a variety of phishing-resistant authentication protocols, reminiscent of FIDO2/WebAuthn and Private Identification Verification Sensible Card.
Pricing varies relying on the dimensions of your group and whether or not you’re seeking to purchase the keys with an upfront fee or in case 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 might choose to pay as soon as and be carried out with it.
SEE: Multi-factor Authentication Deployment Information (TechRepublic Premium)
Why I selected Yubico Safety Key
I’ve Yubico on this checklist 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 straightforward to make use of and are supported by a variety of on-line providers and apps. Safety keys may 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 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
| Professionals | Cons |
|---|---|
| Robust authentication with FIDO2 and U2F help. | {Hardware} safety keys might be costly for some. |
| Appropriate with numerous 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. |
| Supplies the next degree 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 now 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 utterly 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 quicker updates and resolutions to issues like bugs and vulnerabilities. It additionally marked itself on my checklist for its excessive degree of customization that isn’t doable with different personal or proprietary software program.
Pricing
Options
- 2FA.
- Open-source software program
- TOTP.
- HOTP.
SEE: Methods to Create an Efficient Cybersecurity Consciousness Program (TechRepublic Premium)
FreeOTP professionals and cons
| Professionals | Cons |
|---|---|
| Accessible and clear open-source software program. | Customers will need to have their cellular machine with them throughout login, which might be much less handy than hardware-based 2FA options. |
| Robust 2FA help with TOTP and HOTP authentication strategies. | The reliance on a cellular machine might be a priority if the machine is misplaced, broken, or unavailable. |
| Cross-platform availability for Android and iOS gadgets. | |
| Works offline without having for an web connection throughout authentication, which reinforces reliability. |
How do I select amongst Google Authenticator alternate options?
You might wish to take into account alternate options to Google Authenticator in case you want the flexibility to customise your methodology of MFA, have to handle a number of gadgets or customers, choose utilizing a bodily safety key, or wish to work with an organization that has completely different help choices. Though corporations that supply an MFA resolution can accomplish the identical purpose of offering better 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, take into account what you’ll be able to afford in addition to the options and traits most necessary to you. Take into consideration variations in what’s provided for layers of authentication, backup and restore choices, encryption protocols, customization, and help choices, and instruments to handle permissions for consumer teams.
For instance, people or companies notably liable to phishing assaults might want the peace of thoughts that comes with a Yubico phishing-resistant safety key. Equally, corporations with workers that want various ranges of permissions might wish to look into Cisco’s Duo Coverage Engine.
Whatever the possibility you select, including MFA offers a layer of safety that may defend you from having to take care of the ramifications of permitting unauthorized entry to your accounts.
For these fascinated with studying extra, additionally try our video characteristic on the Prime Google Authenticator Alternate options beneath.
Methodology
When making this checklist, we thought-about a variety of things to make sure that we’d be bringing you the easiest Google Authenticator alternate options. A number 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 necessary 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 capability 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 degree of safety and distinctive options is necessary, so is the consumer expertise, so we gave priority to choices which might be straightforward for customers to make use of.
- Worth: Though a few of our high picks are free, others aren’t. Nonetheless, the paid choices provide distinctive worth offered you want and can make the most of their extra options.