Proton Authenticator
A free two-factor authentication app from Proton with end-to-end encrypted sync between your devices and no advertising.
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About Proton Authenticator
Proton Authenticator holds your two-factor codes and, unlike most free authenticators, syncs them between your devices with end-to-end encryption, so replacing a phone does not mean re-enrolling every account. It is open source under the GPL and free, with no advertising.
It runs on Android and iOS as well as Windows, Linux and macOS, which is unusual for an authenticator: desktop apps in this space are rare, and having codes on the machine you are logging in from is convenient even if it does weaken the second-factor separation.
It is made by Proton, whose business is privacy-focused services, and does not require a paid Proton account.
Strengths
- End-to-end encrypted sync between devices, which most free authenticators lack
- Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux and macOS
- Open source under the GPL, free and ad-free
- Made by a company whose business model is privacy rather than advertising
Limitations
- Sync requires a Proton account
- Keeping codes on the same desktop you log in from weakens second-factor separation
- Younger than the established authenticators, with fewer import paths
- You are tying your second factor to one vendor's ecosystem
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source under the GPL, with no advertising. A Proton account is used for encrypted sync but no payment is required.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Developer
- Proton AG
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux, Android
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Two-factor codes synced across phone and desktop without paying or seeing ads
- Categories
- Password managers
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Selected from the TechWalrus downloads catalog (Security); facts checked against the developer's own pages, 2 sources on file.
Alternatives to Proton Authenticator
Compare allSoftware that can replace Proton Authenticator for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Ente Auth
Open-source two-factor authenticator with end-to-end encrypted backups.
Ente Auth keeps open-source code and free end-to-end encrypted backups, adds macOS, iOS and web clients, and requires an Ente account instead of a Proton account.
2FAS
Open-source authenticator app with browser-extension push approvals.
2FAS is open source and backs up to your own iCloud or Google Drive, adds browser-extension push approvals, but has no standalone desktop app.
Aegis Authenticator
An encrypted two-factor authentication app for Android with real backups and imports from every other authenticator.
Aegis Authenticator is open source with an encrypted vault and broad import support, but it runs on Android only and has no cloud sync.
Google Authenticator
Google's mobile app that generates one-time verification codes for two-step verification.
Google Authenticator is closed source and mobile only, with optional sync tied to a Google Account instead of a Proton account.
Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft's mobile authenticator app for multi-factor and passwordless sign-in to personal and work accounts.
Microsoft Authenticator is closed source and mobile only, and adds passwordless sign-in for Microsoft personal and work accounts.
Authy
Mobile two-factor authenticator with encrypted cloud backup.
Authy is closed source and mobile only, with encrypted cloud backup and multi-device sync, but account recovery is tied to a phone number.
FreeOTP
An open-source two-factor authentication app for Android and iOS that generates one-time codes.
FreeOTP is open source and available on F-Droid, but it is mobile only with no desktop app and no sync between devices.
Bitwarden Authenticator
A standalone mobile app from Bitwarden that generates and stores two-step verification codes.
Bitwarden Authenticator is a free, mobile-only app from Bitwarden, not open source, with few published details about import, export or backup.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Proton Pass
End-to-end encrypted password manager from Proton, with a six-user Family plan and shared vaults.
Duo Mobile
Enterprise multi-factor authentication app with push approvals.
Bitwarden
An open-source password manager with free cross-device sync, apps for every platform and optional paid plans.
1Password
Subscription password manager for individuals and families that stores, fills and shares passwords and passkeys.
