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Microsoft Authenticator VS Google Authenticator

Compare Microsoft Authenticator VS Google Authenticator and see what are their differences

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Contents:
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  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Microsoft Authenticator logo Microsoft Authenticator

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

Google Authenticator logo Google Authenticator

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

Microsoft Authenticator features and specs

  • Enhanced Security
    Microsoft Authenticator provides additional layers of security through multi-factor authentication (MFA) which significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access.
  • Ease of Use
    The app is user-friendly with an intuitive interface, making it simple for both technically savvy and non-technical users to set up and utilize.
  • Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem
    It seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products and services, including Azure Active Directory, Office 365, and more, providing a unified security experience.
  • Push Notifications
    Users receive push notifications for authentication requests, allowing them to approve or deny access quickly without the need for manually entering a code.
  • Support for Multiple Accounts
    Microsoft Authenticator can handle multiple accounts, including non-Microsoft accounts, making it a versatile tool for managing various authentication needs.
  • One-time Password (OTP) Generation
    The app can generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) for services that require them, ensuring secure logins even when push notifications are unavailable.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft Authenticator

  • Dependency on Mobile Device
    If the user's mobile device is lost, stolen, or damaged, accessing accounts that rely on Microsoft Authenticator can become challenging.
  • Limited Platform Support
    Microsoft Authenticator primarily supports mobile platforms (iOS and Android), which could be a drawback for users who rely on desktop or other operating systems.
  • Potential Privacy Concerns
    Some users may have concerns about privacy and data collection practices given Microsoft's extensive ecosystem and its handling of personal information.
  • Requires Initial Configuration
    Setting up Microsoft Authenticator and linking it with various services can be time-consuming, especially for users with multiple accounts.
  • Reliance on Internet Connection
    Push notifications and certain features within Microsoft Authenticator require an active internet connection, which might not always be available.
  • Lock-in to Microsoft Services
    The best features and integrations of Microsoft Authenticator are geared towards the Microsoft ecosystem, which might limit its effectiveness if users engage primarily with non-Microsoft services.

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.

Microsoft Authenticator videos

+ Add

Microsoft Authenticator for Android

More videos:

  • Review - Using Microsoft Authenticator App to Protect Your Online Credential

Google Authenticator videos

+ Add

How to Use Google Authenticator

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft Authenticator and Google Authenticator)

Microsoft Authenticator

Google Authenticator

Identity And Access Management
26 26%
Identity And Access Management
74% 74
Two Factor Authentication
26 26%
Two Factor Authentication
74% 74
Authentication
21 21%
Authentication
79% 79
Password Management
46 46%
Password Management
54% 54

User comments

Share your experience with using Microsoft Authenticator and Google Authenticator. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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  1. User avatar
    Peter Pak
    · over 3 years ago
    · Reply

    Microsoft Authenticator has more features, can be used with more services and can be used on more than one phone. It is clearly superior to Google authenticator.

    I recommend - Microsoft Authenticator.

Reviews

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

Microsoft Authenticator Reviews

7 Best Google Authenticator Alternatives For Android And iOS
I’m still not sure why Google is not providing any passcode or app lock for their app when everybody else is doing it. Take Microsoft Authenticator, for example, this also lets you secure your accounts with the app lock.
Source: www.techuntold.com
The Best Authenticator Apps for 2023
Along with standard TOTP multi-factor support, Microsoft Authenticator includes optional secure password generation and lets you log in to Microsoft accounts with a button press or by tapping a two-digit number in a push notification. The app also enables schools and workplaces to register users’ devices. If you use this app, you can turn on account recovery. That way, when...
Source: www.pcmag.com
Top 6 Google Authenticator Alternatives in 2023
Available for both Android and iOS, Microsoft Authenticator offers a similar experience to Google’s, working with both Microsoft and non-Microsoft accounts.
Source: www.techrepublic.com
The Best 2FA Apps 2021: Locking Down Your Online Accounts
The app supports passwordless authentication for Microsoft apps, including OneDrive and Office 365. With the app, you can approve your login using your phone’s fingerprint scanner, a face scan or any other way you can prove that you are who you say you are on your device. Microsoft Authenticator supports cloud backup, too, either through Microsoft’s own servers on...
Source: www.cloudwards.net
10 best two-factor authenticator apps for Android
Microsoft Authenticator is Google Authenticator’s biggest competitor. It’s popular, it works well, and it works for stuff other than Microsoft apps. Otherwise, it’s actually a fairly simple app not unlike Google Authenticator. You log into a site or an app, it asks for a code, and you open this app to get one. We usually recommend Google Authenticator to people who use...
Source: www.androidauthority.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...
Source: www.techuntold.com
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.
Source: www.techrepublic.com
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.
Source: shieldplanet.com
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.
Source: www.cloudwards.net

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Microsoft Authenticator seems to be a lot more popular than Google Authenticator. While we know about 124 links to Microsoft Authenticator, we've tracked only 7 mentions of 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.

Microsoft Authenticator mentions (124)

  • Ask HN: Is there hope for Microsoft 365 support?
    It has been a few years since I have dealt with Microsoft's postmasters team for email delivery issues but the link to to use to submit an email delivery issues is: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=614866. - Source: Hacker News / 3 days ago
  • [PostgreSQL][Entity Framework Core] Try ASP.NET Core Identity with React
    An error occurred while accessing the Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting services. Continuing without the application service provider. Error: The entry point exited without ever building an IHost. Unable to create a 'DbContext' of type 'RuntimeType'. The exception 'Unable to resolve service for type 'Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.DbContextOptions`1[OfficeFileAccessor.OfficeFileAccessorContext]' while attempting to... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Terraform Cookbook: Development Environment Recipe
    # Follow the [VSCode installation guide](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/setup/linux) for other instalation methods. Sudo apt-get install curl Curl -L -o vscode.deb https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=760868 Sudo apt install ./vscode.deb Code # After VSCode launch, use Quick Open (Ctrl+P), paste the command "ext install HashiCorp.terraform" and press enter. # Or install the extension... - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Run godoc Automatically
    { // See https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=733558 // for the documentation about the tasks.json format "version": "2.0.0", "tasks": [ { "label": "godoc", "type": "shell", "command": "godoc", "options": { "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}", "shell": { "args": ["-c"], ... - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • gRPC: um panorama do contexto histórico às aplicações práticas!
    Using GrpcDocumento.Services; Var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args); // Add services to the container. Builder.Services.AddGrpc(); Var app = builder.Build(); // Configure the HTTP request pipeline. App.MapGrpcService(); App.MapGet("/", () => "Communication with gRPC endpoints must be made through a gRPC client. To learn how to create a client, visit:... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year 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 Microsoft Authenticator 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.

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

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.

Aegis Authenticator - Aegis Authenticator is a free, secure and open source app to manage your 2-step verification tokens...

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.

DIGIPASS - DIGIPASS offers two-factor​ authentication solutions for mobile applications.

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