Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Authenticator VS LessPass

Compare Google Authenticator VS LessPass 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.

Google Authenticator logo Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.

LessPass logo LessPass

Next-gen open source password manager
  • Google Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-25
  • LessPass Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-16

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.

LessPass features and specs

  • Security
    LessPass does not store passwords on any servers; instead, it generates them on-the-fly using a master password and user-specific data, reducing the risk of data breaches.
  • Open Source
    LessPass is open-source software, allowing the community to audit the code for security vulnerabilities and contribute to its development.
  • Cross-Platform
    LessPass offers browser extensions and mobile apps, making it easy to access passwords across multiple devices and platforms.
  • No Dependence on Cloud
    Since passwords are generated locally, there's no need for cloud synchronization, which means your data isn't dependent on an online service.
  • Customizable
    Users can customize password parameters such as length, use of special characters, and more, to meet their specific security requirements.

Possible disadvantages of LessPass

  • Master Password Vulnerability
    If a user's master password is compromised, all generated passwords could potentially be accessed, making it a single point of failure.
  • Learning Curve
    The concept of generating passwords on-the-fly without storing them is unconventional and might be confusing for some users who are used to traditional password managers.
  • Limited Features
    LessPass lacks some of the more advanced features found in other password managers, such as password sharing, secure notes storage, and automatic form filling.
  • Dependency on Specific Data
    The system requires user-specific data such as website URL and login to regenerate passwords, and any changes to these details may require updating how passwords are generated.
  • Offline Restrictions
    While LessPass can function offline once configured, initial setup and some functionalities may still need internet access.

Google Authenticator videos

How to Use Google Authenticator

More videos:

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

LessPass videos

The Horror of LessPass

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Authenticator and LessPass)
Identity And Access Management
Password Management
54 54%
46% 46
Two Factor Authentication
Security & Privacy
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 LessPass

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.

LessPass Reviews

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

LessPass might be a bit more popular than Google Authenticator. We know about 8 links to it since March 2021 and only 7 links to Google Authenticator. 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

LessPass mentions (8)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Google Authenticator and LessPass, 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.

bitwarden - Bitwarden is a free and open source password management solution for individuals, teams, and business organizations.

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.

1Password - 1Password can create strong, unique passwords for you, remember them, and restore them, all directly in your web browser.

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.

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