Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Authenticator VS AWS Identity and Access Management

Compare Google Authenticator VS AWS Identity and Access Management and see what are their differences

Google Authenticator logo Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.

AWS Identity and Access Management logo AWS Identity and Access Management

AWS Identity and Access Management enables you to securely control access to AWS services and resources for your users.
  • Google Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-25
  • AWS Identity and Access Management Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-02-02

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.

AWS Identity and Access Management features and specs

  • Granular Control
    AWS IAM provides highly granular control over permissions, allowing administrators to fine-tune access policies down to individual actions on specific resources.
  • Scalability
    IAM is designed to scale with your AWS usage, accommodating complex organizational structures and a large number of users without performance degradation.
  • Integration with AWS Services
    Seamlessly integrates with all AWS services, enabling unified access management across the entire AWS ecosystem.
  • Security Features
    Includes advanced security features like multi-factor authentication (MFA), roles, and temporary security credentials to enhance the security of AWS accounts.
  • Audit and Compliance
    AWS IAM provides detailed logging and monitoring capabilities through AWS CloudTrail, facilitating compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Cost-Effective
    IAM is free of charge, with no additional costs beyond the consumption of AWS resources themselves.

Possible disadvantages of AWS Identity and Access Management

  • Complexity
    The extensive capabilities of IAM can lead to complexity, making it challenging for new users to fully understand and configure permissions effectively.
  • Limited User Interface
    The IAM management console UI can be less intuitive, which may slow down the process of setting up and managing access policies.
  • Initial Setup
    Setting up IAM for a large organization with specific security requirements can be time-consuming and requires careful planning.
  • Learning Curve
    There is a steep learning curve for understanding IAM policies, roles, and their correct implementation, which might require specialized training.
  • Documentation Complexity
    While extensive, AWS documentation for IAM can sometimes be overwhelming and complex, making it difficult to find specific information quickly.

Google Authenticator videos

How to Use Google Authenticator

More videos:

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

AWS Identity and Access Management videos

AWS re:Inforce 2023 - A first-principles approach: AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) (IAM201)

More videos:

  • Review - AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) Basics | AWS Training For Beginners

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Authenticator and AWS Identity and Access Management)
Identity And Access Management
Two Factor Authentication
Identity Provider
0 0%
100% 100
Authentication
100 100%
0% 0

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Google Authenticator and AWS Identity and Access Management

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.

AWS Identity and Access Management Reviews

We have no reviews of AWS Identity and Access Management yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, AWS Identity and Access Management should be more popular than Google Authenticator. It has been mentiond 59 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.

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

AWS Identity and Access Management mentions (59)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Google Authenticator and AWS Identity and Access Management, 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

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.

Auth0 - Auth0 is a program for people to get authentication and authorization services for their own business use.

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.

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