Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

WinAuth VS Steam Desktop Authenticator

Compare WinAuth VS Steam Desktop Authenticator and see what are their differences

WinAuth logo WinAuth

Portable open-source Authenticator for Windows

Steam Desktop Authenticator logo Steam Desktop Authenticator

A desktop implementation of Steam's mobile authenticator app.
  • WinAuth Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-28
  • Steam Desktop Authenticator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-22

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.

Steam Desktop Authenticator features and specs

  • Convenience
    Allows users to generate Steam Guard codes directly on their PC without needing a smartphone.
  • Offline Access
    Being a desktop application, it provides the ability to access the authenticator even when offline, provided the computer is accessible.
  • Open Source
    The application is open-source, allowing users to review the code, contribute, or modify it to suit their needs.
  • Multiple Account Support
    Enables the management of multiple Steam accounts from a single application instance.

Possible disadvantages of Steam Desktop Authenticator

  • Security Risks
    As a third-party tool, it involves security risks that may not be present in the official Steam mobile app, putting accounts at risk if not used carefully.
  • Complex Setup
    The installation and setup process may be complex for less tech-savvy users, requiring a basic understanding of GitHub and file management.
  • No Official Support
    Lacks official support from Steam, meaning users must rely on community assistance for troubleshooting and updates.
  • Potential Bugs
    Being a community-driven project, it may contain bugs and require careful monitoring by users for updates or fixes.

WinAuth videos

Project Altis Setup: WinAuth and Two Step Authentication

Steam Desktop Authenticator videos

How to get and use Steam Desktop Authenticator

More videos:

  • Review - ะฃัั‚ะฐะฝะพะฒะบะฐ SDA (Steam Desktop Authenticator), ะฟั€ะธะฒัะทะบะฐ ะฐะบะบะฐัƒะฝั‚ะฐ ะธ ะณะฐะนะด ะฟะพ ะฟั€ะพะณั€ะฐะผะผะต (.maFile)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to WinAuth and Steam Desktop Authenticator)
Identity And Access Management
Two Factor Authentication
Authentication
59 59%
41% 41
Security & Privacy
66 66%
34% 34

User comments

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, WinAuth should be more popular than Steam Desktop Authenticator. It has been mentiond 4 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

Steam Desktop Authenticator mentions (1)

  • Tf2 trades always fail?
    If you have more control over your desktop, maybe you can check out the Desktop implementation of Steam Authenticator? https://github.com/jessecar96/steamdesktopauthenticator. Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing WinAuth and Steam Desktop Authenticator, you can also consider the following products

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

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

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

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.

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