Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Authy VS Microsoft BitLocker

Compare Authy VS Microsoft BitLocker and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Authy logo Authy

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

Microsoft BitLocker logo Microsoft BitLocker

BitLocker is a full disk encryption feature included with Windows Vista and later.
  • Authy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-05
  • Microsoft BitLocker Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-25

Authy features and specs

  • Multi-device synchronization
    Authy allows users to sync their 2FA tokens across multiple devices, which provides a convenient way to access tokens from phones, tablets, and desktops.
  • Encrypted backups
    Authy provides encrypted backups of the 2FA tokens to the cloud, ensuring that users can recover their tokens in case of device loss or damage.
  • Offline usage capability
    Authy can generate 2FA codes even when the user’s device is offline, providing access to tokens without requiring an active internet connection.
  • Desktop app available
    Authy offers a desktop application that allows users to manage and use their 2FA tokens directly from their computer, enhancing accessibility and usability.
  • Security features
    Authy includes advanced security features such as PIN protection and biometric login options, adding an additional layer of security to the 2FA tokens.

Possible disadvantages of Authy

  • Dependency on cloud service
    Authy’s cloud-based backup and multi-device synchronization features create a dependency on their cloud service, which may raise privacy and security concerns for some users.
  • Limited customization options
    Compared to some other authentication apps, Authy offers fewer options for custom-tailoring the appearance and organization of the 2FA tokens.
  • Potential for lockout
    If users forget their Authy backup password or lose access to all trusted devices, they may have difficulty recovering their 2FA tokens, leading to a potential lockout of their accounts.
  • Initial setup complexity
    The initial setup process, which includes account verification and device synchronization, may be more complex and time-consuming compared to other simpler 2FA apps.
  • Limited platform support
    While Authy supports major platforms such as iOS, Android, and Windows, it does not have the same broad platform compatibility as some other 2FA solutions, potentially limiting its usability for some users.

Microsoft BitLocker features and specs

  • Strong Security
    BitLocker provides robust encryption algorithms like AES to protect data at rest, ensuring that unauthorized users cannot access your data even if they have physical access to the device.
  • Seamless Integration
    As a native feature of Windows, BitLocker integrates seamlessly with the operating system, making it easy to deploy and manage within a Windows-based environment.
  • TPM Support
    BitLocker leverages Trusted Platform Module (TPM) hardware to provide enhanced security, such as allowing non-TPM systems to use a USB startup key instead.
  • Enterprise Management Tools
    BitLocker can be managed using Active Directory, Group Policy, and Microsoft Endpoint Manager, enabling IT administrators to enforce encryption policies and recover keys efficiently.
  • Transparent Encryption
    Once BitLocker is set up, it works in the background without requiring user intervention, offering a smooth and transparent user experience.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft BitLocker

  • Performance Overhead
    Encrypting and decrypting data on the fly can slow down system performance, particularly on older or less powerful hardware.
  • Limited Non-Windows Support
    BitLocker is primarily designed for Windows operating systems, which limits its effectiveness and usability on non-Windows platforms.
  • Complex Recovery Process
    If a user loses their BitLocker recovery key, recovering the encrypted data can be complicated and, in worst-case scenarios, impossible.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    Setting up BitLocker requires understanding various options and configurations, such as TPM settings and key management, which can be daunting for inexperienced users.
  • Cost
    BitLocker is available only with certain editions of Windows, such as Professional and Enterprise, meaning users may need to upgrade from a basic edition, which could incur additional costs.

Analysis of Authy

Overall verdict

  • Authy is generally considered a good and reliable two-factor authentication (2FA) app.

Why this product is good

  • Authy is praised for its ease of use, cross-platform support, and strong security features. It provides cloud backup of authentication tokens, which is convenient for users who switch devices. The app supports a wide range of online services, making it a versatile option for enhancing account security.

Recommended for

    Authy is recommended for individuals who seek a user-friendly and secure way to manage their two-factor authentication across multiple devices and platforms. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced users who prioritize security and convenience in their digital security practices.

Authy videos

How to Use Authy To Keep Your Data Safe

More videos:

  • Review - GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR vs. AUTHY - (AUTHY WON)
  • Review - Productivity Tuesday Ep#4 -- Authy Two Factor Authentication

Microsoft BitLocker videos

No Microsoft BitLocker videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Authy and Microsoft BitLocker)
Identity And Access Management
Security & Privacy
0 0%
100% 100
Two Factor Authentication
Monitoring Tools
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 Authy and Microsoft BitLocker

Authy Reviews

7 Best Google Authenticator Alternatives For Android And iOS
And another big difference that it provides over the Google Authenticator is the Authy passcode. Using this code, no one will be able to browse through all your codes.
The Best Authenticator Apps for 2023
One of Twilio Authy’s big advantages is encrypted cloud backup. However, it’s somewhat concerning that you can add the account to a new phone using “a PIN code sent via a call or an SMS,” according to Authy’s support pages. There’s also an option to enter a private password or passphrase that Authy uses to encrypt login info for your accounts to the cloud. The password is...
Source: www.pcmag.com
Top 6 Google Authenticator Alternatives in 2023
Although most alternatives to Google Authenticator are completely free but potentially relatively limited in terms of options, Duo can offer you a lot if you’re willing to pay for it. The free option, which Cisco advises is aimed towards individuals and very small teams, is most comparable to what Google offers and will be enough for many, though it faces stiff competition...
Is Authy better than Google Authenticator?
.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-842{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none;line-height:0;margin-bottom:3px!important;margin-left:0!important;margin-right:0!important;margin-top:3px!important;min-height:250px;min-width:300px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}But to avoid this problem entirely, make sure to add Authy to any devices you want and then Disable...
The Best 2FA Apps 2021: Locking Down Your Online Accounts
As far as website support goes, Authy 2FA tokens work with any service that accepts TOTP-based authenticator apps. Authy even maintains a database of services it supports, complete with step-by-step instructions for how to enable 2FA on those services. In addition to password managers like Keeper, cloud storage like Box and encrypted email services like ProtonMail, Authy...

Microsoft BitLocker Reviews

Best Disk Encryption Software – the 5 top tools to secure your data
Bitlocker is popular Windows-only software used to encrypt entire volumes using the AES encryption algorithm with a 128- or 256-bit key. Unlike TrueCrypt and VeraCrypt, Bitlocker cannot create encrypted containers. Entire partitions must be encrypted at once.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Authy seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 139 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.

Authy mentions (139)

  • A list of SaaS, PaaS and IaaS offerings that have free tiers of interest to devops and infradev
    Authy - Two-factor authentication (2FA) on multiple devices, with backups. Drop-in replacement for Google Authenticator. Free for up to 100 successful authentications. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: What 2FA iOS app do you use?
    Https://authy.com/ Acquired by Twilio. I'm not even sure if they still update it, last blog post was 3 years ago. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • How to Set Up 2FA on Your BitStarz Account
    2FA apps such as Google Authenticator and Authy randomly generate a code every minute or so, which is matched to a specific key associated with your login. In essence, this means that whenever a login asks for your 2FA code, it knows which number to expect and will only unlock if that correct number is entered. Source: over 1 year ago
  • How can I avoid MFAuthenticator?
    You can also set up the Authy authenticator app on a PC, so you don't have to use a mobile app at all, but use a PC app instead :). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Coworker refused to use a second factor for his Azure Global ADM bcs he doesn‘t need a „Gadget“ like a FIDO key.
    Check out authy. It's considered less secure than other device-specific OTP solutions, but it's better than not using it. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

Microsoft BitLocker mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Microsoft BitLocker yet. Tracking of Microsoft BitLocker recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Authy and Microsoft BitLocker, you can also consider the following products

Google Authenticator - Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.

Symantec Data Loss Prevention - Fully protect your data with the comprehensive detection technologies and unified policies of Symantec's industry leading Data Loss Prevention (DLP).

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.

Paubox - Paubox provides HIPAA compliant email encryption without the hassle of extra steps.

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.

OpenSSH - OpenSSH is a free version of the SSH connectivity tools that technical users rely on.