Alternatives to Microsoft Authenticator

Microsoft's mobile authenticator app for multi-factor and passwordless sign-in to personal and work accounts. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Microsoft Authenticator.

  • Google Authenticator

    Google's mobile app that generates one-time verification codes for two-step verification.

    FreeProprietaryAndroidiOS

    Google Authenticator generates codes offline with optional sync through a Google Account, but lacks passwordless sign-in for Microsoft work accounts.

  • Duo Mobile

    Enterprise multi-factor authentication app with push approvals.

    FreeProprietaryAndroidiOS

    Duo Mobile offers Verified Push and ordinary TOTP codes, but is closed source and built around a Duo deployment that an organisation pays for.

  • Authy

    Mobile two-factor authenticator with encrypted cloud backup.

    FreeProprietaryAndroidiOS

    Authy offers encrypted backup and multi-device sync on Android and iOS, but it is closed source and account recovery is tied to a phone number.

  • 2FAS

    Open-source authenticator app with browser-extension push approvals.

    FreeOpen sourceAndroidiOSBrowser extension

    2FAS is open source, adds browser-extension push approvals, and backs up encrypted to your own iCloud or Google Drive account.

  • Ente Auth

    Open-source two-factor authenticator with end-to-end encrypted backups.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSWeb

    Ente Auth is open source and adds desktop and web clients with free end-to-end encrypted cloud backup, though backup relies on an Ente account.

  • Aegis Authenticator

    An encrypted two-factor authentication app for Android with real backups and imports from every other authenticator.

    FreeOpen sourceAndroid

    Aegis is open source with an encrypted vault, automatic backups you control and broad imports, but it runs only on Android with no cloud sync.

  • Proton Authenticator

    A free two-factor authentication app from Proton with end-to-end encrypted sync between your devices and no advertising.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsLinuxAndroid

    Proton Authenticator is open source and adds desktop apps with end-to-end encrypted sync, but sync requires a Proton account and it has fewer import paths.

  • FreeOTP

    An open-source two-factor authentication app for Android and iOS that generates one-time codes.

    FreeOpen sourceAndroidiOS

    FreeOTP is a free open-source mobile app available on F-Droid as well as Google Play and the App Store, with minimal documentation.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Microsoft Authenticator as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Bitwarden Authenticator

    A standalone mobile app from Bitwarden that generates and stores two-step verification codes.

    FreeProprietaryAndroidiOS

    Microsoft Authenticator adds passwordless sign-in for Microsoft personal and work accounts, but it is closed source, mobile only and most useful inside the Microsoft ecosystem.

  • Step Two

    A two-step verification code app for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac with iCloud backup.

    PaidProprietarymacOSiOSBrowser extension

    Microsoft Authenticator is free on iOS and Android and adds passwordless sign-in for Microsoft accounts, but is mobile only with no Mac app.

  • Yubico Authenticator

    An app that shows two-factor codes from OATH credentials stored on a YubiKey.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Microsoft Authenticator stores codes on an Android or iOS phone and adds passwordless sign-in for Microsoft accounts, but has no desktop app.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.