Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Authenticator VS LDAP

Compare Google Authenticator VS LDAP and see what are their differences

Google Authenticator logo Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.

LDAP logo LDAP

LDAP is a very flexible standards-based method that can be used to store and query information about users, groups, devices and provide authentication and authorization services in a networked environment.
  • Google Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-25
  • LDAP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-26

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.

LDAP features and specs

  • Centralized Authentication
    LDAP provides a centralized system for authentication and directory access, allowing users to manage access controls and user credentials efficiently across a network.
  • Scalability
    LDAP is highly scalable and can handle thousands of queries and a large number of users, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes.
  • Compatibility
    LDAP is compatible with numerous applications and platforms, ensuring broad interoperability across different systems and software.
  • Flexibility
    LDAP can be used to store a wide variety of information beyond user credentials, such as email addresses, printer configurations, and other directory data.
  • Open Protocol
    As an open protocol, LDAP is supported by various open-source and commercial implementations, providing flexibility and choice in directory services.

Possible disadvantages of LDAP

  • Complexity
    Implementing and maintaining LDAP can be complex and may require specialized knowledge and expertise, especially in large and intricate environments.
  • Security Concerns
    LDAP, when not used with secured layers like LDAPS, can transmit data in plaintext, making it vulnerable to interception and unauthorized access.
  • Performance Overheads
    While scalable, LDAP can face performance issues if not properly optimized or if the directory data becomes cluttered and unmanageable.
  • Limited Built-In Features
    LDAP itself focuses on directory services and does not come with advanced features like policy enforcement or auditing, which may need to be handled by complementary systems.
  • Client Compatibility Issues
    Differences between LDAP implementations can lead to compatibility issues with various clients and applications, requiring careful configuration and management.

Google Authenticator videos

How to Use Google Authenticator

More videos:

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

LDAP videos

What is LDAP and Active Directory ? How LDAP works and what is the structure of LDAP/AD?

More videos:

  • Review - LDAP Server Guide - How Does It Work?
  • Review - Understanding LDAP Integration with EnterpriseOne

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Authenticator and LDAP)
Identity And Access Management
Two Factor Authentication
Identity Provider
71 71%
29% 29
Authentication
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Google Authenticator and LDAP. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

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.

LDAP Reviews

We have no reviews of LDAP yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Google Authenticator should be more popular than LDAP. It has been mentiond 7 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

LDAP mentions (1)

  • Five Dex Alternatives for Kubernetes Authentication
    Among the options for auth providers is Dex, which relies on OpenID Connect to enable authentication for other applications. It’s a popular choice because it comes with connectors to allow user authentication against other third-party identity providers. Dex supports protocols such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) as well as platforms such as GitLab,... - Source: dev.to / almost 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Google Authenticator and LDAP, 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.

JSON Web Token - JSON Web Tokens are an open, industry standard RFC 7519 method for representing claims securely between two parties.

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.

Spring Security - The Spring portfolio has many projects, including Spring Framework, Spring IO Platform, Spring Cloud, Spring Boot, Spring Data, Spring Security...

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.

Django REST framework JWT - JSON Web Token Authentication support for Django REST Framework - jpadilla/django-rest-framework-jwt