Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Duo Security VS Google Authenticator

Compare Duo Security VS Google Authenticator and see what are their differences

Duo Security logo 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.

Google Authenticator logo Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.
  • Duo Security Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26
  • Google Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-25

Duo Security features and specs

  • Easy Integration
    Duo Security offers seamless integration with a wide range of applications and services, making it easier for organizations to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA).
  • User-Friendly
    The platform is designed with simplicity in mind, providing a straightforward user experience for both end-users and administrators.
  • Comprehensive MFA Options
    Duo supports a variety of authentication methods including push notifications, biometrics, and hardware tokens, giving users flexibility in how they authenticate.
  • Strong Security Features
    Duo incorporates advanced security features such as device health checks and endpoint visibility, enhancing the overall security posture of an organization.
  • Good Customer Support
    Duo Security is known for its responsive and knowledgeable customer support, helping organizations address issues quickly.
  • Scalability
    The platform can easily scale to accommodate organizations of varying sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises.

Possible disadvantages of Duo Security

  • Cost
    The service can be expensive compared to other MFA solutions, particularly for smaller organizations with limited budgets.
  • User Management Complexity
    Managing a large number of users can become complex, particularly in organizations with high employee turnover.
  • Dependency on Mobile Devices
    Many of Duo's authentication methods rely on mobile devices, which can be inconvenient or impractical for users without access to smartphones.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite being user-friendly, there is still a learning curve for administrators new to the platform, particularly for advanced features.
  • Internet Dependence
    The service requires a reliable internet connection to function properly, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Limited Offline Options
    Duo Security has limited options for offline authentication, which may pose challenges in environments where internet access is intermittent.

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.

Duo Security videos

What is DUO Security 2FA and How it Works With Windows Remote Desktop

More videos:

  • Review - Powerful New Features from Duo Security
  • Review - An Introduction to Duo Security

Google Authenticator videos

How to Use Google Authenticator

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Duo Security and Google Authenticator)
Identity And Access Management
Two Factor Authentication
Authentication
35 35%
65% 65
Identity Provider
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

Duo Security Reviews

20 Identity Management Solutions You Should Know
Used by WhatsApp and Etsy, Duo Security was designed with modern companies in mind. That means it prioritizes speed. The DuoMobile app, for instance, simplifies multi-factor authentication. Users can merely tap on a push notification instead of typing in an SMS code to complete their login. Duo also allows for a modern, mobile-friendly work culture by letting organizations...
Source: builtin.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, Duo Security should be more popular than Google Authenticator. It has been mentiond 31 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.

Duo Security mentions (31)

  • A list of SaaS, PaaS and IaaS offerings that have free tiers of interest to devops and infradev
    Duo.com — Two-factor authentication (2FA) for website or app. Free for ten users, all authentication methods, unlimited, integrations, hardware tokens. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Additional computer log-in protection
    You could use Duo - https://duo.com/. It can be set to require MFA when logging in locally or only when logging in via RDP (or both). It's free for up to 10 users. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • [Data-Mining] Upcoming tunnels from the May 23 patch
    A quick google tells me that Duo is a 2FA service from Cisco. Maybe that's what Anet is using to manage the 2FA in the launcher behind the scenes? Source: almost 2 years ago
  • what do you use for ssh brute force protection: fail2ban or sshguard ? or something else ? for ubuntu and fedora
    I have Duo (https://duo.com) enabled on my internet facing SSH server. It sits behind sslh on port 443 and uses public key authentication only. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Duo MFA with Serverless API Gateway for authentication
    Our organization uses Duo, which is an MFA tool that competes with Okta. I created a serverless application with API Gateway and Lambda that gives users access to Salesforce resources where they can directly update records. This was a workaround for getting around Salesforce community clouds expensive community licenses. Source: about 2 years 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 Duo Security and Google Authenticator, you can also consider the following products

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

Okta - Enterprise-grade identity management for all your apps, users & devices

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.

Microsoft Authenticator - One app to quickly and securely verify your identity online, for all of your accounts.

Lastpass - LastPass is an online password manager and form filler that makes web browsing easier and more secure.

OneLogin - On-demand SSO, directory integration, user provisioning and more