Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OpenID VS Google Authenticator

Compare OpenID VS Google Authenticator and see what are their differences

OpenID logo OpenID

OpenID is a safe, faster and easier way to log in to web sites.

Google Authenticator logo Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.
  • OpenID Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-20
  • Google Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-25

OpenID features and specs

  • Single Sign-On
    OpenID allows users to log into multiple websites using a single set of credentials, simplifying the login process and reducing password fatigue.
  • Decentralized Authentication
    OpenID operates in a decentralized manner, meaning users can choose their identity providers, giving them more control over their online identity.
  • Improved User Experience
    By reducing the number of times users need to enter login information, OpenID can streamline the user experience across different platforms.
  • Enhanced Privacy
    OpenID allows users to manage their identity, providing them with the option to share only necessary information with websites.
  • Increased Security through Reduced Password Usage
    With fewer passwords to remember and enter, users can focus on creating stronger passwords for their OpenID accounts, potentially increasing overall security.

Possible disadvantages of OpenID

  • Reliance on Identity Provider
    Users depend heavily on their chosen OpenID provider. If the provider experiences downtime or a security breach, user's ability to log in to various services can be impacted.
  • Complexity in Implementation
    Implementing OpenID can be complex and requires significant development resources, which might be a barrier for smaller websites or developers.
  • Potential Privacy Concerns
    Although OpenID enhances privacy, it also puts pressure on identity providers to manage and protect user data adequately. Any data mishandling can affect user privacy.
  • Fragmentation of Standards
    The existence of multiple identity standards and specifications can create confusion and compatibility issues, leading to a fragmented user experience.
  • Dependent on Internet Access
    Like many online authentication methods, OpenID requires constant internet access, which can be a limitation in regions with unstable internet connectivity.

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.

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 it’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.

OpenID videos

An Introduction To OpenID Connect

More videos:

  • Review - OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect (in plain English)
  • Review - What is Microsoft identity platform OpenID Connect certified? | One Dev Question: Hirsch Singhal

Google Authenticator videos

How to Use Google Authenticator

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenID and Google Authenticator)
Identity And Access Management
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
Two Factor Authentication
Network & Admin
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

OpenID Reviews

We have no reviews of OpenID yet.
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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.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Google Authenticator should be more popular than OpenID. 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.

OpenID mentions (3)

  • 4 Cognito User Pools features you might not know about
    Cognito User Pools is a fully managed, OpenID Connect-compatible identity provider. It serves as a user directory service that handles authentication and authorization for application users. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Top 7 API Authentication Methods Compared
    OpenID Connect builds on OAuth 2.0 by adding an identity layer, making it a go-to choice for applications that need both authentication and authorization. Developed by the OpenID Foundation, it's widely used by major players like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Bluesky partners with Namecheap to power domains as usernames
    Certainly _buying_ domain names to be your identity is new, but OpenID[1] was doing basically that 15 years ago. Add a few meta tags to your website homepage, use that homepage as your "identity" to log in to websites, and they'd up your configured identity provider to do the login & request name/email/whatever else. You weren't locked in to a particular provider, since you logged in as _your_ webpage and could... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago

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 / almost 3 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 OpenID and Google Authenticator, you can also consider the following products

OAuth - OAuth is an open standard for authorization. It allows users to share their private resources (e.g.

Authy - Best rated Two-Factor Authentication smartphone app for consumers, simplest 2fa Rest API for developers and a strong authentication platform for the enterprise.

BugMeNot - BugMeNot is a free Internet service that provides usernames and passwords to allow users to bypass the registration process for websites.

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.

ASP.NET SAML - ASP.NET SAML is an open-source authentication utility that has been used for exchanging authentication and authorization data between the channels.

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.