The Top 5 Free Authenticator Apps
Discover the top free authenticator apps with features like end-to-end encryption, push notifications, and biometrics.
Written by Mirren McDade
Technical Review by Laura Iannini
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1.
Apple Passkeys
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2.
Duo Mobile
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3.
Google Authenticator
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4.
Microsoft Authenticator
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5.
Twilio Authy
Authenticator apps enable you to add two-factor authentication to your online accounts and services, thereby strengthening security by ensuring that only verified users have access.
How It Works: Authenticator apps generate randomized Time-based One-Time Passcodes (TOTPs) which are used as a second factor of authentication when logging into online accounts. These codes automatically refresh after a few seconds, making it very hard for attackers to steal a code and use it before it resets.
- It’s normally very easy to add an authenticator app to your account by scanning a QR code
- When adding an account, don’t forget to save your backup codes – these are used to restore access
Why It Matters: Adding 2FA massively improves account security through reducing your exposure to phishing scams and password compromise attacks.
With an authenticator app, and multi-factor authentication switched on, a cybercriminal with your email address and password won’t be able to access your online accounts. They would need to verify their identity, before they are granted access.
- Authenticator apps are more secure than alternatives (such as email, SMS, or voice OTPs) because they cannot be easily accessed by malicious actors. Authenticator apps are linked to registered devices that the valid user is known to have access to.
- These apps will often use additional security measures such as passcodes and biometrics to gain access
There are a range of free authentication applications on the market that can be used to store authentication codes for different third-party services.
To help you decide which authenticator app to use, we’ve put together a list of the top free authenticator apps that strike a good balance between functionality and security.
Apple Passkeys
Apple enables users to create and save FIDO2 passkeys for seamless authentication to apps and websites. Passkeys replace traditional usernames & passwords. They are based on cryptographic keys and are highly secure and resistant to phishing attacks.
What we like: You can easily create Passkeys for all supported apps and services. These are securely stored in the Passkey App and accessible across all of your devices. It’s really easy to authenticate and uses FaceID or TouchID as a 2nd factor of authentication.
- Passkeys are more secure than using a TOTP or username/password, because they are tied to your devices.
- Easy to authenticate into websites or apps with Apple’s Face ID, Touch ID – no extra OTP needed.
- Can use Passkeys saved to your iPhone to sign into services on a different device or OS.
Supported factors: Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to log in to apps and services.
We recommend: Apple Passkeys are a secure and convenient way of replacing passwords with phishing resistant FIDO2 authentication standard. It is also well suited to users that need an Apple-based, easy-to-use secure authenticator platform.
- For users looking for a more traditional OTP-based authenticator app, you can also use Apple Keychain to add one-time verification codes. These can be used for accounts that don’t yet support Passkeys.
Apple Passkeys
Duo Mobile
Duo Mobile is an authenticator app developed by Cisco’s Duo, an authentication company that specializes in workforce Identity and Access Management solutions. Duo’s authenticator app is available on the free version of the Duo platform.
What we like: Duo Mobile is well designed, works on both iOS and Android, and can be used as an authentication method for nearly any application or web service that uses TOTP passcodes for MFA. It also allows you to quickly block suspicious login attempts.
- Single-tap, user friendly interface allows users to verify or block login attempts.
- Push notifications give a location-based alert for login attempts.
- Generates a device health score to let users know if there are any local security issues.
Supported Factors: Supports biometric authentication, Duo Push, passcodes, and third-party TOTP (time-based one-time password) accounts.
We recommend: Duo Mobile is well suited to organizations or individuals looking for a free authentication app that provides a consistent, intuitive user experience, with robust security features and multiple options for authentication controls.
Duo Mobile
Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator was one of the first 2FA app apps to hit the market. It’s one of the most user friendly and is ideal for teams using Google Workspace or for personal use.
What we like: With Google Authenticator, verification codes are synced across all your devices, keeping them accessible even if your phone is lost or stolen. The app is available on Android, iOS, and iPadOS devices.
- It’s really easy to setup and manage new accounts and devices.
- Can be used to manage multiple Google accounts.
- Allows users to receive and generate 2FA without an internet connection.
Supported factors: Generates TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) codes on the user’s device for 2FA. Secured using Google account credentials and on-device biometrics.
We recommend: Google Authenticator is simple and straightforward to use, with a lightweight user interface, and comprehensive security protocols. We would recommend Google Authenticator to anyone looking for a strong, no-frills, free authenticator app that is available for both iOS and Android.
Google Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator allows you to store verification codes for Microsoft accounts, as well as all other online accounts and services using TOTPs. You can back up credentials and related account settings to the cloud for other devices.
What we like: Microsoft Authenticator works with any account that uses 2FA and supports TOTP as an authentication method and offers some important security features to help reduce the risk of account compromise or MFA Bypass.
Best features:
- Secure verification options such as Number Matching – which requires users to type a number shown on the original app to authenticate.
- Login attempts show additional context such as the app and IP-location.
- Easy to add new accounts.
Supported factors: Generates TOTP codes on the user’s device. Uses device biometrics, such as FaceID, TouchID etc., to validate. Also supports number matching and SMS OTPs for Microsoft accounts.
We recommend: Microsoft is a great option for storing verification codes for work, school, and personal accounts. We would also highly recommend all Microsoft 365 user enforce MFA using Microsoft’s authenticator app.
Microsoft Authenticator
Twilio Authy
Authy is a desktop and mobile app for two-step verification for any online accounts.
What we like: Twilio Authy offers a fully managed turnkey API that verifies users over multiple channels at scale, works on Android, iOS, and desktop, and supports most MFA providers.
Best features:
- Offline authentication means that Authy can still work without an internet connection, e.g., in Airplane Mode.
- Multi-device support – instead of manually re-scanning QR codes to set up a new phone, 2FA tokens can automatically sync across all your devices.
- Secure cloud backups mean that even if your device is lost or stolen, you won’t lose access to the tokens on your account.
Supported factors: Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) sent to their device via SMS, phone call, or email.
We recommend: Authy improves security without adding unnecessary complexity to the authentication process. We would recommend Twilio Authy to organizations or individuals looking for a free authentication solution that is suitable for both personal and commercial use.
Twilio Authy
FAQs
Everything You Need To Know About Authenticator Apps (FAQs)
Authenticator apps store randomly generated One-Time Passcodes (OTPs) on apps and services. They provide a second factor of authentication to prevent your accounts and services from being compromised.
First, a QR code or security code is used to add new accounts and services. Not all accounts support authenticator apps, but many now do.
Then, the authenticator app automatically generates time-based OTPs that last for 15-30 seconds. You copy these codes and paste them into the account you are logging into.
If you are notified about a login request you didn’t make, you can block it using the authenticator app. This is a good sign you should change your password.
Authentication apps are seen as a more secure alternative to using SMS-based authentication, (where the OTP is sent to your phone via text message) as the app itself is unique to your device – unlike texts, which are sent to a SIM card which can be cloned.
Important Point: Make sure to save backup verification codes when adding new accounts to your authenticator app. This means you can access accounts in the event your device is lost or stolen.
In recent years, account compromise and identity fraud have become increasingly urgent problems for individuals and companies.
It is clear that passwords alone are no longer adequate security, and a multi-factor authentication approach is needed to properly secure accounts – especially important logins such as banking, social media, and shopping.
Using 2FA authentication adds an important additional layer of security for all of your accounts. An authenticator app helps you to more easily manage these codes from one location.
There are a lot of good options out there for an authenticator app, so when it comes to selecting one for yourself, it’s important to think about your specific needs and to ensure no important features are missing.
For instance, any authenticator app should:
- Allow you to easily add new accounts and logins, with wide support
- Let you easily copy OTPs for all accounts and services across devices and OS
- Have a user-friendly interface
- Be fast and lightweight, with no ads or unnecessary features
- Allow you to generate OTPs offline or in Airplane mode
- Integrate with workforce applications if used in a workforce environment
- Enable options for backup and migration to secondary devices
These days we all have multiple online accounts that we would like to keep secure, so using a tool as simple – yet useful – as an authentication app is a great way to keep your data safe.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security system where two distinct forms of identification are required for access to be granted. It is used to strengthen security to better protect online accounts, devices, or even physical barriers like a door. With two-factor authentication in place, users must present two types of information – for example, a password, passcode, Personal Identification Number (PIN), or a biometric factor – before access is granted.
Two-factor authentication involves a user presenting two of the following means of identification:
- Something you know (like a password)
- Something you have (like a passcode generated by an authentications app or sent to your smartphone or other device via text message)
- Something you are (like a biometric using your face, fingerprint, or retina)
Written By
Mirren McDade is a senior writer and journalist at Expert Insights, spending each day researching, writing, editing and publishing content, covering a variety of topics and solutions, and interviewing industry experts. She is an experienced copywriter with a background in a range of industries, including cloud business technologies, cloud security, information security and cyber security, and has conducted interviews with several industry experts. Mirren holds a First Class Honors degree in English from Edinburgh Napier University.
Technical Review
Laura Iannini is an Information Security Engineer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida. Laura has experience with a variety of cybersecurity platforms and leads technical reviews of leading solutions. She conducts thorough product tests to ensure that Expert Insights’ reviews are definitive and insightful.