Authy is still a familiar name in two-factor authentication, especially for people who like cloud backup, mobile access, and multi-device token syncing. Many users now compare Authy alternatives for a different reason: the Twilio Authy Desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux reached end-of-life on March 19, 2024.[Source-1] The better choice depends on how you want to store codes: locally, in an encrypted cloud account, inside a password manager, or on a hardware security key.
Most authenticator apps generate time-based one-time passwords, usually called TOTP codes. The TOTP method is described by RFC 6238 as a time-based version of HOTP, using time as the moving value behind each short-lived code.[Source-2] That means many Authy alternatives work with the same websites, as long as those websites support standard authenticator app setup.
Authy Alternatives Compared
This table compares the most practical Authy alternatives by platform support, backup style, desktop access, and ideal use case. It is not a ranking. A local-only Android user, a family password manager user, and a hardware key user may need different tools.
| Alternative | Platform Fit | Backup or Sync Model | Desktop Access | Open Source | Good Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ente Auth | Mobile, desktop, and web | End-to-end encrypted cloud backup and sync | Yes | Yes | Users who want cross-platform access without giving up encrypted backups |
| Proton Authenticator | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux | Encrypted sync or local/cloud backup options | Yes | Yes | Users who want a free 2FA app with desktop support |
| Bitwarden Authenticator | iOS and Android | Local codes, with optional sync to Bitwarden vault when used with Bitwarden | No standalone desktop app | Yes | Bitwarden users or people who prefer a simple standalone mobile authenticator |
| 1Password | Desktop, browser, and mobile through 1Password apps | Stored inside the encrypted 1Password account | Yes | No | Users who want passwords and TOTP codes in one workflow |
| Google Authenticator | Android and iOS | Google Account sync is available | No dedicated desktop app | No | Users who want a familiar mobile app with simple account sync |
| Microsoft Authenticator | Android and iOS | Cloud backup, with same-device-type restore rules | No dedicated desktop app | No | Users active in Microsoft personal, work, or school accounts |
| 2FAS | Mobile app plus browser extension | Local-first app with backup and browser pairing options | Browser extension support | Yes | Users who want a mobile-first authenticator with browser approval flow |
| Aegis Authenticator | Android | Encrypted local vault and backup options | No | Yes | Android users who prefer local control and encrypted exports |
| Yubico Authenticator | Desktop and mobile with YubiKey | OATH credentials stored on a YubiKey | Yes | Partly product-dependent | Users who want TOTP codes tied to a physical security key |
Neutral selection note: Authy is not automatically the wrong choice. It remains useful for people who like its mobile experience, cloud backup, and multi-device support. Alternatives become more relevant when a user wants desktop access, open-source code, local-only storage, hardware-backed storage, or a password-manager-based workflow.
How to Choose an Authy Alternative
The most useful comparison point is not the logo or popularity. It is the way the app treats TOTP secrets. A TOTP secret is the hidden value behind the rotating code. If that secret is copied into another app, that app can generate the same codes.
- Choose encrypted cloud sync if you use several devices and want recovery after phone loss.
- Choose local-only storage if you prefer fewer online recovery paths and are comfortable managing backups.
- Choose a password manager authenticator if speed and autofill matter more than separating passwords and codes.
- Choose hardware-backed storage if you want codes tied to a physical device such as a YubiKey.
- Choose an open-source app if public code review and export control are part of your buying criteria.
TOTP Apps Are Useful, but Not Phishing-Resistant
Authenticator apps are safer than using only a password, but TOTP is still a typed or copied code. NIST notes that OTP authentication is not phishing-resistant.[Source-3] For accounts that support passkeys or hardware security keys, those options may provide stronger protection because they bind sign-in to the legitimate service.
Authy Alternatives Reviewed One by One
1. Ente Auth
Ente Auth is one of the closest Authy alternatives for people who want cloud sync and desktop access in the same product. Ente describes Auth as an open-source 2FA authenticator with end-to-end encrypted backups, cross-platform sync across mobile, desktop, and web, plus import and export control.[Source-4]
- Best fit: users leaving Authy because they want desktop access again.
- Backup style: encrypted cloud backup with cross-device sync.
- Notable detail: web access can be useful when a desktop app is not installed.
- Decision point: an Ente account is part of the full sync experience.
2. Proton Authenticator
Proton Authenticator is a free 2FA app from Proton with mobile and desktop support. Proton states that the app is open source, end-to-end encrypted, available on all platforms including desktop, and able to sync or back up 2FA codes.[Source-5]
- Best fit: users who want a dedicated authenticator rather than a full password manager.
- Backup style: encrypted sync or backup, depending on setup.
- Platform strength: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS are covered.
- Decision point: best value appears when the user is comfortable with Proton’s account ecosystem.
3. Bitwarden Authenticator
Bitwarden Authenticator is a standalone mobile app for generating TOTP codes. Bitwarden explains that it generates 5–10 digit TOTP codes, uses SHA-1 by default, and rotates them every 30 seconds. The same help page also notes that the Authenticator app can be used with or without a Bitwarden Password Manager account.[Source-6]
- Best fit: Bitwarden users and people who want a clean mobile authenticator.
- Backup style: local codes by default, with sync options when connected to Bitwarden workflows.
- Usability: easy to understand if the user already uses Bitwarden.
- Decision point: not the first choice for someone who mainly wants a desktop authenticator app.
4. 1Password
1Password is not a dedicated authenticator app in the same narrow sense as Authy. It stores one-time passwords inside login items, then can fill the username, password, and one-time code during sign-in. 1Password’s support page explains that users can save one-time passwords in the browser extension, desktop and mobile apps, or on 1Password.com.[Source-7]
- Best fit: people who already trust 1Password for password storage.
- Backup style: codes live inside the 1Password account and vault structure.
- Speed benefit: fewer copy-paste steps during login.
- Decision point: some users prefer keeping passwords and 2FA codes in separate apps.
5. Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator is a simple mobile authenticator with Google Account synchronization. Google states that the app can generate one-time verification codes for sites and apps that support authenticator app 2-Step Verification, and that codes can be synchronized across devices by signing in to a Google Account.[Source-8]
- Best fit: users who want a familiar mobile-only authenticator.
- Backup style: Google Account sync, when enabled.
- Usability: clear setup and easy account transfer flow.
- Decision point: no dedicated desktop app for users replacing Authy Desktop.
6. Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator fits users who already sign in to Microsoft personal, work, or school accounts. Microsoft’s backup article explains that account backup can help restore saved accounts after losing a mobile device or moving to a new one, but restore is limited to the same device type: iOS backups cannot be restored to Android, and Android backups cannot be restored to iOS.[Source-9]
- Best fit: users with Microsoft accounts and workplace sign-in requirements.
- Backup style: cloud backup with same-platform restore limits.
- Account coverage: Microsoft accounts, work or school accounts, and third-party TOTP accounts.
- Decision point: not a desktop replacement for Authy Desktop.
7. 2FAS
2FAS is a mobile-first authenticator with a browser extension. Its browser extension page says the extension works with Chrome, Brave, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Safari, and that communication between the mobile device and browser is end-to-end encrypted.[Source-10]
- Best fit: users who sign in often through a browser and want phone approval flow.
- Backup style: mobile-first storage with backup options.
- Usability: browser pairing can reduce manual typing.
- Decision point: the phone remains central to the experience.
8. Aegis Authenticator
Aegis Authenticator is a strong fit for Android users who prefer open-source software and local control. The project describes Aegis as a free, open-source 2FA app for Android with encryption and backups, and it supports both HOTP and TOTP.[Source-11]
- Best fit: Android users who want encrypted local storage.
- Backup style: encrypted backup files managed by the user.
- Control: practical for people who want exportable recovery files.
- Decision point: not available for iOS or desktop as a main app.
9. Yubico Authenticator
Yubico Authenticator takes a different route. Instead of storing TOTP credentials only in a phone app account, it works with a YubiKey. Yubico states that its Authenticator app works across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and that the desktop app generates OATH credentials on YubiKeys.[Source-12]
- Best fit: users who already own or plan to use YubiKeys.
- Backup style: credentials are tied to the hardware key rather than only a phone app.
- Desktop access: Windows, macOS, and Linux are covered.
- Decision point: hardware cost and spare-key planning matter.
Security Notes That Matter When Comparing 2FA Apps
Backup Convenience
Cloud sync helps when a phone is lost or replaced. It also means the recovery account becomes part of the security model. For cloud-backed apps, protect the main account with a strong password and a separate recovery method.
Local Control
Local-only apps reduce dependence on an online account, but recovery is the user’s job. Encrypted exports, offline backups, and tested restore steps are part of using them safely.
Password Manager Storage
Storing passwords and codes together is convenient. It also places more trust in one vault. Many users accept this trade-off because it improves daily login flow and reduces manual copying.
Hardware Storage
Hardware-backed storage is useful for people who want a physical object involved in code access. A spare hardware key is wise, because losing the only key can create account recovery work.
TOTP Versus Passkeys
Authenticator apps are still widely supported, but passkeys are worth using when a service offers them. The FIDO Alliance describes passkeys as phishing-resistant and notes that there is no password to steal in the same way as a traditional password sign-in.[Source-13] A practical setup can include both: passkeys for accounts that support them, and a well-backed-up authenticator app for services that still rely on TOTP.
Migration Notes for Moving Away From Authy
Moving from one authenticator app to another is easier when each account is handled calmly. The safe method is to open the security settings of each website, add the new authenticator app, test the new code, and only then remove the old entry. For high-value accounts, keep recovery codes stored somewhere separate from the authenticator app.
- Make a list of every account currently stored in Authy.
- Check whether each service supports multiple authenticator apps at the same time.
- Add the new app by scanning the QR code or entering the secret manually.
- Confirm the new code before deleting the old token.
- Download or regenerate recovery codes where the website offers them.
- Store recovery codes outside the authenticator app, such as in a password manager or encrypted offline file.
- Keep the old app installed until all important accounts have been tested.
Practical detail: if a service only allows one authenticator app at a time, do not remove the old token until the new app has been confirmed on that service. A two-minute test prevents a long recovery process.
Which Authy Alternative Fits Which User?
| User Need | Most Suitable Options | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop access after Authy Desktop EOL | Ente Auth, Proton Authenticator, Yubico Authenticator | These options support desktop workflows directly. |
| Android-only local storage | Aegis Authenticator | Encrypted local vault, open-source code, and Android focus. |
| Password manager workflow | 1Password, Bitwarden Authenticator with Bitwarden | Useful when autofill and vault-based storage are preferred. |
| Simple mobile sync | Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator | Familiar mobile apps with account-based backup or sync. |
| Browser-heavy login routine | 2FAS | Browser extension pairing can reduce code typing. |
| Hardware-rooted code storage | Yubico Authenticator | TOTP credentials can be tied to a YubiKey. |
For most former Authy Desktop users, the closest replacements are Ente Auth and Proton Authenticator because they keep the desktop part of the workflow alive. For users who care more about local control than device sync, Aegis is a clean Android option. For users who want fewer apps during login, 1Password or Bitwarden may feel more natural.
FAQ
Common Questions About Authy Alternatives
Is Authy still usable after the desktop app ended?
Yes. The desktop app end-of-life affected the Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop apps. Authy’s mobile app remains the main way many users access their tokens. People who need desktop access often compare Ente Auth, Proton Authenticator, 1Password, or Yubico Authenticator.
Which Authy alternative is closest to Authy?
For cloud sync and multi-device use, Ente Auth and Proton Authenticator are close matches. For people who mainly want mobile TOTP codes with account sync, Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator are also familiar options.
Is an open-source authenticator always better?
Not automatically. Open-source code can support transparency, but the better app is the one that matches the user’s backup habits, device setup, and recovery plan. A well-maintained closed-source app may fit some users better than an open-source app they do not back up correctly.
Should 2FA codes be stored inside a password manager?
It depends on the user’s risk model. Storing codes in a password manager makes sign-in easier and can reduce copying errors. Separating passwords and TOTP codes across two apps gives another layer of separation. Both approaches can be reasonable when the accounts are protected well.
What is the safest Authy alternative for Android?
Aegis is a strong Android choice for users who want an encrypted local vault and open-source code. Ente Auth, Proton Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, 2FAS, Bitwarden Authenticator, and Yubico Authenticator are also valid depending on backup and sync needs.
Can TOTP apps stop every phishing attempt?
No. TOTP codes improve account safety compared with password-only login, but a user can still be tricked into typing a valid code into the wrong page. When available, passkeys or hardware security keys can add stronger phishing resistance.
What should be done before deleting Authy?
Each account should be tested in the new authenticator app first. Recovery codes should be saved, and the old Authy token should remain available until the new app has been confirmed on every important account.
The safest replacement is the one that matches the user’s real routine. For desktop access, look first at Ente Auth, Proton Authenticator, or Yubico Authenticator. For Android local control, Aegis is a focused option. For password manager users, 1Password and Bitwarden can make daily logins smoother. The final choice should be paired with tested backups, recovery codes, and a calm account-by-account migration.