Authenticator apps are rising in adoption as they add one other layer of safety to person identification verification. A research discovered 90% of organizations reported identity-related breaches final yr, and authenticator apps are designed to assist scale back this quantity.
Authenticator apps assist people and organizations double-check person identification through the use of two-factor or multi-factor authentication to confirm and authenticate person identities earlier than granting entry to them.
On this article, we are going to overview one of the best authenticator apps in 2024 and discover their options, pricing and execs and cons that can assist you resolve the precise authenticator app for what you are promoting.
1
Dashlane
Workers per Firm Dimension
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Massive (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Micro (0-49 Workers), Small (50-249 Workers), Medium (250-999 Workers), Massive (1,000-4,999 Workers), Enterprise (5,000+ Workers)
Micro, Small, Medium, Massive, Enterprise
Options
Automated Provisioning
2
ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus
Workers per Firm Dimension
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Massive (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Any Firm Dimension
Any Firm Dimension
Options
Multi-factor Authentication, Password Administration, Reporting and Analytics, and extra
Finest authentication apps comparability
The desk under reveals the important thing options of those apps, their pricing and the way they examine to one another.
SoftwareBiometric authenticationBackup and recoveryAuthentication typePricing
Google AuthenticatorYesYesTime-based and counter-based codes.Free
Microsoft AuthenticatorYesYesTime-based codes, push notifications, biometrics.Free
Twilio AuthyYesYes2FA/MFA, OTP, comfortable tokens, push notification.Begins at $0.05/ profitable verification
Cisco DuoYesYes2FA/MFA, FIDO2 for anti-phishing.Begins at $3/person/month
Yubico Safety KeyYesYes2FA/MFA, FIDO2 UF, contact/tap-and-go authentication utilizing NFC or USB.Contact vendor for quote.
FreeOTPYesNo (however obtainable on FreeOTP+).2FA/MFA, push notification, {hardware} tokens, token-less authentication.Free
Google Authenticator: Finest for safe offline authentication
Picture: Google Authenticator
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 via cloud syncing. Nevertheless, customers have reported points with this function.
Determine A: Google Authenticator dashboards.
Why we selected Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator made it to our record on account of its offline authentication help via 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.
Execs
The applying is free.
Has an easy-to-use interface.
Affords regionally generated passcodes for extra safety.
It’s dependable because it doesn’t require an web connection to perform.
Accessible for a variety of customers throughout various web sites/platforms.
Cons
Customers have reported points with cloud syncing function.
Microsoft Authenticator: Finest for biometric authentication
Picture: Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator is one other well-liked identify within the authentication house. It’s obtainable to Microsoft, iOS and Android customers and offers MFA via time-based codes, push notifications and biometrics. For enhanced safety, you may have the choice to arrange a PIN or use biometric verification to entry the codes generated in your telephone. The app additionally helps a password administration function that allows 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 once you swap to a brand new system.
Determine B: Microsoft Authenticator cloud backup.
Why we selected Microsoft Authenticator
This authenticator was chosen for its flexibility displayed via its a number of authentication options similar to PIN code, push notifications and biometric authentication for a seamless log-in expertise.
Pricing
The applying is free.
Options
Push notifications.
Password autofill.
Biometric authentication.
Cloud backup.
A number of account administration.
Execs
Helps a variety of internet sites and companies.
The applying is free.
Supplies MFA for straightforward entry.
Affords cloud backup and information restoration for misplaced gadgets or emergencies.
Affords cross-device and cross-platform compatibility.
Cons
Doesn’t work offline.
Push notifications can expertise delays.
Twilio Authy: Finest for cross-platform compatibility
Picture: Twilio Authy
Twilio Authy not solely generates TOTP but in addition presents three different kinds of authentication: OTP, comfortable tokens and push authentication. It offers biometric authentication and multi-device performance, enabling customers to sync their 2FA tokens throughout new gadgets. This ensures quick access 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 embrace an encrypted cloud backup and restoration, enhanced token safety with backup passwords, grasp passwords and PIN safety.
The app is obtainable in each cell and desktop variations.
Determine C: Twilio Authy 2FA.
Why we selected Twilio Authy
This device 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 presents versatile, pay‑as‑you‑go pricing for multi‑channel person 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.
Execs
Affords offline accessibility.
Supplies three kinds of authentication.
Affords multi-device synchronization.
Has a cell and desktop model.
Supplies encrypted cloud backup and restoration.
Affords 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: Finest for strong security measures
Picture: Cisco Duo
Duo by Cisco is an easy-to-use cloud-based authenticator with a useful onboarding function that allows new customers to arrange their accounts primarily based on their safety wants or priorities. It presents 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 purposes and sources. Utilizing the ideas of zero belief, it offers IT groups with distant entry to purposes in addition to adaptive entry. The cell model (Duo Cell app) incorporates a mixture of location-based identification verification with push verification. This permits customers to get a studying of their location earlier than a log-in affirmation.
Determine D: DUO Desktop system well being examine.
Why we selected Duo
Duo made it to our record due to its strong security measures obtainable 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 presents a 30-day free trial and three paid subscriptions for medium to giant enterprises:
Duo Necessities: $3 per person per 30 days.
Duo Benefit: $6 per person per 30 days.
Duo Premier: $9 per person per 30 days.
Options
Duo Restore.
Versatile multi-factor authentication.
Distant and adaptive entry.
Single sign-on performance.
Duo Push.
Execs
Affords location-based identification verification.
Supplies FIDO2 choices for phishing assaults.
Affords system well being standing monitoring.
Supplies safe distant entry for groups.
Affords cloud backup and information restoration.
Cons
Yubico Authenticator: Finest for hardware-based authentication
Picture: Yubico
Yubico Authenticator permits customers to generate 2FA codes on each cell and desktop gadgets. Considered one of its standout options is its hardware-backed authentication, which units it aside from different authenticators. Not like different authentication apps that retailer secrets and techniques in your telephone or laptop, Yubico Authenticator shops credentials within the YubiKey {hardware} safety key. Because of this even if you happen to lose your telephone or entry to the Yubico Authenticator app, your credentials stay safe and can’t be extracted, making certain that you simply gained’t be locked out of your accounts. It additionally presents a seamless contact or tap-and-go authentication utilizing Close to Subject Communication (NFC) and helps FIDO2/WebAuthn and FIDO U2F for person 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 techniques. 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.
Determine E: Yubico Authenticator dashboards.
Why we selected Yubico
We selected Yubico for its wealthy {hardware} authentication options similar to Yubico Safety Key and contact authenticator utilizing NFC or USB.
Pricing
Yubico presents YubiEnterprise Subscription, a month-to-month subscription-based tier for companies with 500 customers or extra. People and small to medium-sized companies should purchase 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.
Execs
Supplies cross-platform protection.
Affords transportable credentials throughout gadgets.
Supplies hardware-backed safety.
Helps FIDO2/WebAuthn and FIDO U2F for enhanced safety.
Affords one-touch authentication with USB/NFC help.
Cons
The enterprise-ready safety keys are completely obtainable to YubiEnterprise Subscribers.
FreeOTP: Finest for open-source authentication
Picture: FreeOTP
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, companies and protocols, making it appropriate for various environments. As well as, it presents adaptive authentication that enables organizations to customise authentication insurance policies tailor-made to fulfill their safety wants primarily based on person conduct and danger elements.
Determine F: FreeOTP app interface.
Why we selected FreeOTP
FreeOTP was chosen for its open-source nature that enables organizations to fine-tune it for particular use circumstances.
Pricing
This can be a free-for-all device.
Options
Open-source software program.
TOTP.
Tokenless authentication.
Adaptive authentication.
HMAC-based OTP.
MFA.
Execs
Affords integration with current purposes.
Supplies quick access in that it’s open-source.
Utility is free.
Affords offline availability.
Helps 2FA with TOTP and HOTP authentication.
Cons
Its intensive options and customization choices setup may be advanced for brand new customers.
How to decide on one of the best authentication apps
In selecting an authentication app, organizations should take into accounts their measurement, current construction, finances and particular safety wants. For instance, a company with fewer than 500 staff would underutilize the YubiEnterprise Subscription due to its bodily keys. Should 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 straightforward customization, it’s best to take into account FreeOTP. If you wish to tilt towards a {hardware} authenticator or bodily keys, then the Yubico Safety Key’s your finest wager. Understand that every of the reviewed authenticators delivers high quality companies, however every device’s utility will rely in your authentication wants.
Methodology
For this overview, I thought of some key options of those options, specializing in their safety particulars, accessibility and efficiency. Having obtained ample info from the distributors’ web sites, I additionally checked for person 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 simple 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 looking for entry.