Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Authenticator VS InputLock

Compare Google Authenticator VS InputLock and see what are their differences

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Google Authenticator logo Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.

InputLock logo InputLock

Lock your input method(IME) on macOS
  • Google Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-25
  • InputLock Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-10-16

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.

InputLock features and specs

  • Prevents accidental input
    InputLock is designed to block keyboard and mouse input, which is useful for preventing accidental keystrokes or clicks during activities like cleaning your keyboard, letting children watch videos, or giving presentations without interruptions.
  • Simple and focused functionality
    The app appears to serve a single, clear purpose of locking input devices, making it easy to understand and use without a steep learning curve or unnecessary features.
  • Useful for specific scenarios
    It caters well to niche use cases such as media playback for kids, keyboard maintenance, or preventing tampering while a computer is unattended but still displaying content.
  • Quick toggle control
    Applications of this type typically offer fast enabling and disabling of the lock via a hotkey or shortcut, allowing users to regain control quickly when needed.
  • Lightweight utility
    As a small single-purpose tool, it likely consumes minimal system resources and does not burden the computer while running in the background.

Possible disadvantages of InputLock

  • Limited scope
    Because the app focuses solely on locking input, it may not offer broader functionality that some users might expect from a more comprehensive system control or parental-control tool.
  • Potential lockout risk
    If the unlock hotkey or method is forgotten or fails, users could find themselves temporarily unable to control their computer, which can be frustrating or require a restart.
  • Platform availability uncertainty
    It may only be available on certain operating systems, limiting its usefulness for people who work across multiple platforms or use less common systems.
  • Sparse public information
    There is limited widely available documentation, reviews, or community feedback about the app, making it harder to assess reliability and long-term support before committing to it.
  • Security considerations
    Software that intercepts or blocks all keyboard and mouse input requires deep system access, which may raise privacy or security concerns for cautious users who want to verify how their input is handled.

Analysis of Google Authenticator

Overall verdict

  • Google Authenticator is generally considered a good option for those looking to enhance the security of their online accounts. Its ease of use and offline functionality are significant advantages. However, users should be aware that it does not automatically back up tokens, so itโ€™s important to save backup codes or have a recovery plan.

Why this product is good

  • Google Authenticator is a widely used app for enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), which adds an additional layer of security to online accounts. It is valued for its simplicity, reliability, and the fact that it does not require an internet connection to function, as it generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs). This makes it a robust choice for enhancing security.

Recommended for

  • Individuals looking for a straightforward and effective way to implement 2FA.
  • Users who prefer an app that doesn't require an internet connection to function.
  • People concerned with enhancing online security for their personal or professional accounts.

Analysis of InputLock

Overall verdict

  • InputLock appears to be a useful utility for temporarily disabling keyboard and mouse input, which is handy for cleaning your devices, preventing accidental input during media playback, or keeping children and pets from disrupting your work. As a lightweight, single-purpose tool it does its job well, though users should always verify the app's safety and download it from the official source.

Why this product is good

  • It lets you lock your keyboard and mouse instantly, preventing accidental or unwanted input
  • Useful for safely cleaning your keyboard and screen without triggering commands
  • Lightweight and focused on a single task, so it's simple to use
  • Can prevent children or pets from interfering with your work or media playback
  • Typically offers a quick keyboard shortcut to lock and unlock input

Recommended for

  • People who want to clean their keyboard and mouse without accidental keystrokes
  • Parents wanting to childproof their computer during movies or presentations
  • Users who watch videos or media and want to avoid accidental input
  • Pet owners keeping animals from disrupting their screen or work
  • Anyone needing a simple, temporary input-lock utility

Google Authenticator videos

How to Use Google Authenticator

More videos:

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

InputLock videos

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

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Authenticator and InputLock)
Identity And Access Management
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100
Two Factor Authentication
AI
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 Google Authenticator and InputLock

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 arenโ€™t as big or widely known as Google or Microsoft, Twilioโ€™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 wonโ€™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 Googleรขย€ย™s app as well. For example, LastPass Authenticator and Authy arenรขย€ย™t explicitly supported by as many sites and services. However, they still use TOTP, making them compatible with all services that support Google Authenticator.

InputLock Reviews

We have no reviews of InputLock yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Google Authenticator seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 8 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 (8)

  • The Complete WordPress Security Guide for Small Business Owners (2026)
    Download an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, or Microsoft Authenticator). - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Google Authenticator now supports Google Account synchronization
    Here they have support page https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 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 / almost 4 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 / over 4 years ago
  • Bought Centric Swap / CNS? Hereโ€™s What To Do Next
    By the way, if you donโ€™t already have 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) set up on your Centric Wallet, now would be a good time to do that. Youโ€™ll need to have a 2FA app installed on your smartphone, such as Google Authenticator or Authy. Source: over 4 years ago
View more

InputLock mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of InputLock yet. Tracking of InputLock recommendations started around Oct 2025.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Google Authenticator and InputLock, 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.

TalkTastic - Voice Keyboard that Understands Your Personal Context

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

Type Switch - Effortless language switching on macOS with Type Switch.

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.

Homerow - Spotlight for the macOS user interface