Unlike traditional methods to secure your accounts using a single password, Two-Step Verification provides additional security & safety. Since user privacy is becoming quintessential than ever before, protecting our accounts and devices with proper measures and tactics has proven to be quite a challenge. Google Authenticator is one of the most commonly used services, but there are several reasons why you should stop using the two-factor authentication app right away!
Aug 28, 2016 SAASPASS is a lesser known option with adequate two-factor authentication features that makes it a viable alternative to Google Authenticator. It provides out-of-the-box support for many of the most popular cloud services and applications such as Google Apps, Office 365, Amazon Web Services and many more.
- Don't wait until it's too late! This extension is NOT a Google official product, so it cannot sync with your Google Authenticator data on your Android phone, iPhone or tablet. This extension is also a QR code reader. Your data will be auto sync with Google Account if you have logged in.
- Google Authenticator. This is the app you might have gravitated towards for your Google account—because it’s made by Google—but this is actually one of the more basic authenticator apps.
Why Ditch Google Authenticator Two-Step Verification Service?
Well, several downsides come with Google Authenticator solution:
- Firstly, the two-factor authentication service runs only on a few platforms, Android, iOS, Blackberry, etc.
- Secondly, you have to set Google Authentication on every device you use.
- The third drawback that Google Authenticator app brings is if you swap your smartphones, you to sync up all your accounts once again on the new device.
- The fourth reason to ditch this authenticator app is if you ever lost your phone or is the app gets deleted for any reason, users have to face a lot of trouble to regain access to their accounts.
- Another downside that arrives with this two-factor authentication service is there’s no passcode or biometric lock on the application. This is where things get cumbersome because this eases the access for hackers & allow malware to steal 2FA codes.
If these reasons were enough for you to dump the Google Authenticator App, then probably it’s the right time to introduce you to some of the great alternatives to Google Authenticator 2-Step Verification Service.
Top 5 Secure Alternatives To Google Authenticator App
Check out some of the most useful two-factor authentication solutions that don’t have the shortcomings mentioned above.
1. SoundLogin Authenticator
The two-factor authentication service is available for both Android & iPhone users. You can use the SoundLogin Authenticator as an extension, which is available for Chrome, Firefox & Opera. The only prerequisite needed to work with this authenticator app is having a working microphone.
To use SoundLogin Authenticator, download the app & add an extension to both your device & browser. Now each time you receive an OTP, the mobile authenticator app will transfer the OTP to your browser via notification sounds. Ensure your device is near to your laptop or PC’s microphone. Now the audio will transfer the temporary code to the extension where it will automatically fill the code for login.
2. Microsoft Authenticator
This alternative is one of the closest competitors to Google Authenticator, LastPass, Authy & several others. It instantly grabs codes for popular websites like Facebook & Dropbox by just snapping a QR code just like others. Especially for Microsoft accounts, it supports one-tap notifications.
Microsoft Authenticator is a useful tool that supports password-less logins (which are more secure) for Microsoft apps, including Office, OneDrive & Outlook. Unlike other two-step verification services, Microsoft Authenticator offers a cloud backup option; it’s a useful option to recover account credentials on a new device.
3. Authenticator Plus
Although Authenticator Plus is a free two-factor authentication service, it’s paid features are worth a try. The application generates 2-step verification codes to protect your accounts with a password. You can use the authenticator app to sync & manage all your two-factor verification enabled accounts seamlessly.
Authenticator Plus allows users to create a backup to the cloud (on Google Drive or Dropbox). The data can quickly be restored as well, without any hassles. It offers 256-bit AES encryption & PIN lock for added layers of security. Unlike other alternatives mentioned here, Authenticator Plus even allows users to change themes & displays account logos for easier review.
4. HENNGE OTP Generator
To stop snoopers from invading your privacy, here comes another great Google Authenticator App alternative, HENNGE OTP Generator. The 2-step verification service is compatible with all the popular services, such as Google, Amazon Web Service, Dropbox, Facebook, WordPress & many more. The only downside that arrives with this two-factor authentication solution is, it’s only available for iPhone users.
The authenticator app does support FaceID, TouchID on your phones to prevent strangers & children from casually accessing your OTP’s when you are physically away from your smartphone device.
5. SAASPASS
Newest in the market & a lesser-known option, SAASPASS features adequate two-factor authentication options, which makes it a viable alternative to Google Authenticator. Unlike other 2-step verification services mentioned here, SAASPASAS provides support for several apps & cloud solutions including AWS, Office 365, Google Apps & many more.
SAASPASS also provides out-of-the-box support authentication using Bluetooth (but it’s only available for Mac users with Android devices that support low Bluetooth energy). It also features SMS recovery option, so that you can always transfer your accounts to your new devices, which Google Authenticator lacks.
Which Alternative To Google Authenticator Did You Choose?
Hope, our shortlist of Best Google Authenticator Alternatives helped you find a suitable option to set two-factor authentication on your device for added security. If you are using any other authenticator app than the ones mentioned above, please share them with us, we’ll be happy to update our list!
What Do You Think?
Responses
Responses
Authy and Google authenticator, are just two different apps doing the same thing; i.e. making the 2-Factor Authentication simple. These apps generate a time-dependent 6 digit code, which you enter after you submit your username and password.
If you don’t know what 2FA is and how it works with Authy, then first watch this video tutorial. It’ll bring you up to speed.
Now, ever since I switched to Authy from Google Authenticator, I have never looked back. Authy is better looking and offers more functionalities. So, let’s take a look at some of these difference in detail.
Authy vs Google Authenticator
![Authenticator Authenticator](/uploads/1/3/4/0/134073187/861660312.png)
I know, look and feel are subjective terms. But still, most people (including me) find Authy interface better. There is also has a copy to clipboard option in Authy, which makes it easy to copy-paste the codes.
2. Multiple Devices
Authy is available for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac and even for Desktop using the chrome app. And the best part is, you can use it in every device simultaneously.
This is useful when you want to login to your Google account and your phone is kept in a different room, then you can just use the Authy desktop app. No need to get up from your seat.
On the other hand, Google Authenticator works on one device only. Also no desktop support yet. So, if you try to register a new device with Google authenticator, it’ll automatically unregister the previous one.
Now, if you think, having Authenticator app on multiple devices is unsafe. Then Authy also gives you the option to disable it. You can find it under settings > devices > uncheck allow multiple devices.
3. Cloud sync
Authy lets you take cloud backup of all your accounts. This is useful in two situations. One, if you lost your phone, you can still log into your Authy account from other devices. And second, say you bought a new phone, then you can easily migrate your Authy account to it, by simply installing the app and verifying it.
However, in Google authenticator, there are no options for cloud backup or sync. So, if you lost your phone, you lost access to all of your account. Similarly, if you buy a new phone, you’ll have to manually transfer all the accounts, which is a tedious process.
Again, if you think, cloud backup option in Authy, will compromise your security, then you have the option to disable it.
4. Secure
When it comes to in-hand use, Authy is more secure than google authenticator. How? Well, you can set a PIN/MasterPassword/Fingerprint to open the app. But there is no such option in Google Authenticator. Yes, you can use a third-party app locker to protect it, but by default, there is no gatekeeper in Google Authenticator. Picture editor app mac.
Download Google Authenticator App
And if this is any relief, you should know that Authy encrypts your accounts before uploading them to the server. So even if someone gets access to your Authy backup, they still won’t be able to use it, as they don’t have your master password.
Also, you can not take a screenshot (or record/cast screen) of Authy’s Android app. But you can do that with the Google Authenticator app. So, if someone is secretly recording your screen, at least Authy will make it difficult for them, if not impossible; while Google Authenticator will offer no resistance.
Closing Words
Best Google Authenticator App Mac Os
Overall, Authy does pretty much everything that Google authenticator does. Plus, it also comes with some useful features, like — better layout, copy to clipboard, multiple devices support, PIN and cloud backup, etc.
Off course, some may say that these extra features also make it vulnerable (which is true to some extent), but then again, if you don’t want them, you have the option to disable them. And Authy will still work like Google authenticator.
In a nutshell, Authy is a clear winner here. And there is no reason why you should not use it over Google Authenticator.