Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

WinAuth VS SoloKeys

Compare WinAuth VS SoloKeys and see what are their differences

WinAuth logo WinAuth

Portable open-source Authenticator for Windows

SoloKeys logo SoloKeys

Secure login made open and easy ๐Ÿ”’
  • WinAuth Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-28
  • SoloKeys Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-28

WinAuth features and specs

  • Open Source
    WinAuth is an open-source application, which means users can access the source code to understand how it works, ensuring transparency and trust in its operations.
  • Multi-Platform Support
    WinAuth supports a variety of authentication methods and services, making it versatile for different platforms and applications.
  • Portable
    Being a portable application, WinAuth does not require installation and can be run from a USB drive, making it convenient and flexible to use.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application provides an easy-to-use interface, making it accessible even for those who are not technically savvy.
  • Backup and Export Options
    WinAuth allows users to backup their authentication settings and export them securely, providing an extra layer of data protection.

Possible disadvantages of WinAuth

  • Windows Only
    WinAuth is designed specifically for Windows, limiting its use for users who have other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
  • Security Concerns
    Storing 2FA tokens on a desktop application can pose a risk if the computer is compromised, as attackers may be able to access the stored data.
  • Manual Setup
    Setting up and managing two-factor authentication with WinAuth requires manual entry and management, which can be time-consuming.
  • Updates and Maintenance
    As with any open-source project, consistent updates and maintenance might be a concern, depending on community support and developer availability.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to some modern authentication apps, WinAuth might lack certain advanced features like biometric integration or cloud synchronization.

SoloKeys features and specs

  • Open Source
    SoloKeys are open source, allowing transparency and customization for users who want to verify or modify the firmware.
  • Affordable
    Compared to other hardware security keys, SoloKeys are relatively affordable, making them a cost-effective choice for secure authentication.
  • Multi-Protocol Support
    SoloKeys support multiple authentication protocols, like FIDO2 and U2F, providing flexibility in different authentication scenarios.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    These security keys work across various operating systems and devices, ensuring broad usability for different users.
  • Strong Security
    SoloKeys offer strong security features to protect user accounts from phishing and unauthorized access.

Possible disadvantages of SoloKeys

  • Limited Brand Recognition
    Compared to bigger names in the industry, SoloKeys is less known, which might affect consumer trust and perceived reliability.
  • Smaller Community
    Being a smaller company, the community and support resources around SoloKeys may be less extensive than larger competitors.
  • Potentially Limited Features
    While offering essential functionality, SoloKeys may lack some advanced features that competitors provide, such as biometric authentication.

WinAuth videos

Project Altis Setup: WinAuth and Two Step Authentication

SoloKeys videos

SoloKey Unboxing & Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to WinAuth and SoloKeys)
Identity And Access Management
Two Factor Authentication
Authentication
52 52%
48% 48
Security & Privacy
27 27%
73% 73

User comments

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SoloKeys should be more popular than WinAuth. It has been mentiond 28 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.

WinAuth mentions (4)

  • Microsoft Will Delete Your Passwords in One Month
    I'm not a fan of small biz employees running MS Authenticator on their personal devices. Corp belongs on corp. I'm trialing Winauth for some remote-only users and so far I'm happy with it. ref: https://github.com/winauth/winauth. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • I cant post my mythic key for SBG without authenticator because it won't autofill.
    I don't know if it still works but there's a tool for windows you could use. Https://github.com/winauth/winauth. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Ask HN: What are the alternatives to phone authentication?
    > I don't like this single point of failure. Honestly, this causes me much uncertainty in regards to something like Google Authenticator or other TOTP solutions. I mean, Google's solution in particular has a "Transfer accounts" option that lets you use QR codes for a backup, but that still feels somewhat worse than having desktop software as well like KeePass and some password/biometrics protected database file... - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • sell items or turn them into gems?
    For a temporary period either use https://github.com/Jessecar96/SteamDesktopAuthenticator or https://github.com/winauth/winauth to transfer your 2FA to 1 one of those as otherwise Steam Mobile App will drive you nuts making you confirm 2600 items 1 by 1. There are many YouTube videos and Steam Guides how to do this properly and those apps have Auto-Market confirm functionality. Source: about 3 years ago

SoloKeys mentions (28)

  • Side channel vuln in Infineon crypto library
    > I wish Yubico had some serious competition, but sadly they don't. This likely wouldnโ€™t qualify as โ€œserious competitionโ€ but I have a few solokeys and they work fine for my use. https://solokeys.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Passkey Implementation: Misconceptions, pitfalls and unknown unknowns
    All phones ask for PIN or pattern in addition to face/fingerprint. Use that. For the average user this is safe enough. (i.e) keep google/apple password safe. Then all is fine. > exporting and FAANG lock-in You don't ever have to even sign into FAANG if you can put up with inconvenience. - Buy a U2F FIDO key like OPEN SOURCE https://solokeys.com/ or Yubikey etc. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • alternative to yubikey with requirements?
    Try Solokeys https://solokeys.com v2 is open source USB-C and NFC compatible work with FIDO and web Auth. Source: over 2 years ago
  • How to Yubikey: A Configuration Cheatsheet
    SoloKeys[0] are one alternative [0] https://solokeys.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • On using bitwarden for TOTP:
    Also take a look at solokeys. They are very affordable and support FIDO2 and FIDO U2F -- meaning they have overlapping protocols with Bitwarden, and they certainly work on Google. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing WinAuth and SoloKeys, you can also consider the following products

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

YubiKey - The YubiKey is a one-time password device for secure login with two-factor authentication

Google Authenticator - Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.

Nitrokey - Email Encryption. Encrypt your emails with GnuPG, OpenPGP, S/MIME or your favourite email client.

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

Okta Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication - Multi-factor authentication is becoming the standard. Secure your apps and VPN with strong MFA for adaptive, risk-based authentication.