Best Free and Open Source Alternatives to Google Authenticator

Google has a firm grip on the desktop. Their products and services are ubiquitous. Don’t get us wrong, we’re long-standing admirers of many of Google’s products and services. They are often high quality, easy to use, and ‘free’, but there can be downsides of over-reliance on a specific company. For example, there are concerns about their privacy policies, business practices, and an almost insatiable desire to control all of our data, all of the time.

What if you are looking to move away from Google and embark on a new world of online freedom, where you are not constantly tracked, monetised and attached to Google’s ecosystem.

In this series we explore how you can migrate from Google without missing out on anything. We recommend open source solutions.

Google Authenticator is a two-factor authentication application for Android and iOS. It generates one-time verification codes for websites and services that support authenticator-based two-step verification.

There are some excellent free and open source alternatives. Here’s what we recommend.

1. Aegis Authenticator

Aegis Authenticator is a secure two-factor authentication app for Android supporting both HOTP and TOTP.

Authentication secrets are kept in an encrypted vault which can be protected with a password or biometrics. Aegis offers encrypted backups, imports from numerous other authenticator apps, entry grouping, custom icons and extensive control over authentication data.

2. 2FAS Auth

2FAS Auth is a free and open source authenticator available for Android and iOS.

It supports TOTP and HOTP, works offline and does not require a 2FAS account. Authentication data is stored locally, with backup and synchronisation options available. It also integrates with an optional browser extension, allowing authentication requests to be approved using a phone rather than manually entering codes.

3. Ente Auth

Ente Auth is a cross-platform authenticator with end-to-end encrypted backups and synchronisation.

It is available for Android and iOS as well as Linux, macOS, Windows and the web. The application can also operate without an account for users who prefer to keep their authenticator entirely offline.

Ente Auth supports encrypted and plaintext exports, helping users retain control of their authentication data.

4. FreeOTP+

FreeOTP+ is a two-factor authentication app for Android. It is based on FreeOTP but adds a range of additional functionality and interface improvements.

It supports both HOTP and TOTP together with backup and restore, biometric or PIN protection, searching and categorisation, dark mode and improved QR code handling.

5. FreeOTP

FreeOTP is an authenticator supporting HOTP and TOTP one-time passwords.

It provides a straightforward way of generating authentication codes without tying them to a proprietary online service. The project is actively developed, which makes it worth including alongside the more feature-rich FreeOTP+.

All articles in this series:

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