Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

2FAS VS Google Authenticator

Compare 2FAS VS Google Authenticator and see what are their differences

2FAS logo 2FAS

Simple 2FA Authenticator - Generate Two Factor Authentication tokens.

Google Authenticator logo Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.
  • 2FAS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-07
  • Google Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-25

2FAS features and specs

  • Enhanced Security
    2FA Authenticator adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, making it harder for unauthorized users to access your accounts.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application features a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to add and manage their accounts and authentication tokens.
  • Offline Access
    2FA Authenticator works offline, allowing users to generate authentication codes without an Internet connection, which is particularly useful in low-connectivity situations.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The app is available on multiple platforms, enabling users to sync their accounts and access their authentication codes from various devices.

Possible disadvantages of 2FAS

  • Device Dependency
    Losing access to the device with the 2FA Authenticator can lock users out of accounts, necessitating backup strategies like printing codes.
  • Potential for Misconfiguration
    If not set up correctly, there is a risk of misconfiguration that can lead to being locked out of accounts or decreased security.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    For some users, the initial setup and configuration of two-factor authentication might be confusing or time-consuming.
  • Limited Recovery Options
    In cases where users lose their authentication device, recovery options might be limited, causing potential inconvenience or the need for support.

Google Authenticator features and specs

  • Enhanced Security
    Google Authenticator adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second factor of authentication, reducing the risk of unauthorized access even if your password is compromised.
  • Offline Access
    The app does not require an internet connection to generate codes, making it reliable in situations where connectivity is a concern.
  • Compatibility
    Google Authenticator is compatible with a wide range of services and accounts, providing a versatile solution for multi-factor authentication (MFA).
  • Free of Charge
    The application is free to use, offering robust security features without any financial investment.
  • Ease of Use
    Setup and usage are straightforward, making it accessible to users without technical expertise.

Possible disadvantages of Google Authenticator

  • Device Dependence
    If you lose your device, gaining access to your accounts can become challenging, particularly if you haven't backed up or used alternative methods.
  • No Cloud Sync
    Google Authenticator does not offer a built-in feature for cloud backups, making it difficult to transfer codes to a new device.
  • Single Device Limitation
    The app only works on a single device at a time, which can be inconvenient if you manage multiple devices.
  • No Biometric Lock
    The app lacks advanced security features such as biometric locks, which are present in some other authenticator apps.
  • Limited Recovery Options
    In case of losing access to the app, recovery options rely heavily on the user having access to backup codes, which might not always be accessible.

2FAS videos

Do you really need 2FA?

Google Authenticator videos

How to Use Google Authenticator

More videos:

  • Review - GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR vs. AUTHY - (AUTHY WON)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to 2FAS and Google Authenticator)
Password Management
43 43%
57% 57
Identity And Access Management
Two Factor Authentication
Authentication
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare 2FAS and Google Authenticator

2FAS Reviews

The Best Authenticator Apps for 2023
This simple but fully functional app does everything you want in an authenticator. It lets you add online accounts either manually or with a QR code. Unlike Google Authenticator, it can create cloud backups of your registered accounts, either in iCloud for Apple devices or Google Drive for Androids, which is critical if you lose your phone or get a new one. The backup is...
Source: www.pcmag.com

Google Authenticator Reviews

7 Best Google Authenticator Alternatives For Android And iOS
Except for one, all the apps mentioned above are available for Android and iPhone. You can add accounts which you want to secure by scanning their barcode or simply entering the secret key or id in all of them. Some of them will let you capture a screenshot and some of them will not. Apart from that, all these are free to use and provide better features making them as the...
The Best Authenticator Apps for 2023
When you use Google Authenticator to log in to your Google account, you enter the six-digit code shown in the authenticator app, just as you would to log in to any other service. The app also lets you import logins from an old phone to a new one if you have the former on hand. As with Microsoft Authenticator, there's no Apple Watch app or even an Android Wear app for Google...
Source: www.pcmag.com
Top 6 Google Authenticator Alternatives in 2023
Although they aren’t as big or widely known as Google or Microsoft, Twilio’s Authy app is one of the most impressive and feature-rich Google Authenticator alternatives. Twilio takes pride in the fact that their app can be used anywhere Google Authenticator can be used, meaning that those making the switch won’t hit any unexpected compatibility issues.
Is Authy better than Google Authenticator?
The difference between Authy and Google Authenticator lies in the number of features offered by each app. If you like minimalism, use Google Authenticator, but if you like multi-device support, full Backup of your 2FA codes, or three authentication types, use Authy.
The Best 2FA Apps 2021: Locking Down Your Online Accounts
Google Authenticator is really the baseline here, because nearly all sites that support 2FA support Google’s app as well. For example, LastPass Authenticator and Authy aren’t explicitly supported by as many sites and services. However, they still use TOTP, making them compatible with all services that support Google Authenticator.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, 2FAS should be more popular than Google Authenticator. It has been mentiond 32 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

2FAS mentions (32)

  • Bitwarden Authenticator
    I personally switched to using 2FAS[0]. My favorite feature is that it comes with a browser extension that can automatically fill in the OTP on web forms, after approving the request on the phone app. [0] https://2fas.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Ask HN: AWS registering MFA will be required in 29 days
    I'd go with number 2 unless you want to buy everyone a hardware token (option number 3). There are open source solutions (I've used https://2fas.com/ ) and very common solutions (Google Authenticator). You can even print out the QR code and put it in a secure location (safe, safe deposit box) as a break-glass in case everyone's phones cease functioning. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Flaw has Microsoft Authenticator overwriting MFA accounts, locking users out
    Try 2FAS - it works without an cloud account, can import from few other apps (sadly not from Microsoft one) and can export from and import to a file. Works on Android and iOS https://2fas.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Ente Auth: open-source Authy alternative for 2FA
    My hunt for an open source Authy took me to 2FAS, which has been fine. Any opinions on this offering? 2FAS — the Internet’s favorite open-source two-factor authenticator https://2fas.com. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • Is it a good idea to use Bitwarden for OTP?
    2FAS is a very solid MFA; Bitwarden is designed to be a password manager, so I wouldn't suggest using it as a 2fa. Keep it separate imho. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

Google Authenticator mentions (7)

  • Google Authenticator now supports Google Account synchronization
    Here they have support page https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • I'm building a macOS app in a week with Tauri and Supabase.
    Many authenticator apps already exist on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Most of them have synchronization features but are limited to backup only or sync with the same platform (ie: iOS or Android only). I'm using one of them for years and at this moment I'm feeling bothered when switching to a mobile device every time login into a website or online service. So, I created Otentik Authenticator. A Google... - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: How to enable 2FA for Google Account to use Authenticator app?
    Their only docs suggest using an authenticator app (which presumably runs on the 'phone which potentially can be lost' anyway) is possible: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447?hl=en&ref_topic=2954345 If it's not showing up for you, you'd need to contact their support team to find out why. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Bought Centric Swap / CNS? Here’s What To Do Next
    By the way, if you don’t already have 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) set up on your Centric Wallet, now would be a good time to do that. You’ll need to have a 2FA app installed on your smartphone, such as Google Authenticator or Authy. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Storing hex/pulse/pulse swap
    Use 2FA with Google Authenticator for your email, wallets, and pretty much anything else that allows you to do so. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing 2FAS and Google Authenticator, you can also consider the following products

Aegis Authenticator - Aegis Authenticator is a free, secure and open source app to manage your 2-step verification tokens...

Authy - Best rated Two-Factor Authentication smartphone app for consumers, simplest 2fa Rest API for developers and a strong authentication platform for the enterprise.

andOTP - andOTP is a two-factor authentication App for Android 4.4+

Duo Security - Duo Security provides cloud-based two-factor authentication. Duo’s technology can be deployed to protect users, data, and applications from breaches, credential theft, and account takeover.

OTP Auth - The app for calculating one-time-passwords on iPhone and iPad.

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication - Azure Multi-Factor Authentication helps safeguard access to data and applications while meeting user demand for a simple sign-in process.