The best authenticator apps make it simple and easy to improve your online security using two-factor authentication.
These windows two-factor authentication apps bring 2FA right to your desktop and help you secure your online accounts.
1. Secure Authenticator
Secure two factor authenticator in Windows is a simple and secure authentication app. It helps keep your online accounts secure by generating unique one-time passwords, which you use in combination with your other passwords to log into supporting websites. The simple combination of the password in your head and the rotating passwords generated by the app make it much harder for anyone but you to access your accounts.
Pros:
- TOTP for all famous websites such as facebook, google, twitter, twitch, etc
- Support HOTP, MobileOtp, SteamOtp, YandexOtp
- Single click to import and export
- Import from Google Authenticator
- Support Scan from QR code and QR file
- Secure and protection
- Support Hide code mode
- Very lightweight
Cons:
- No cloud backup
2. 2FA Authenticator Desktop
2FA Authenticator Desktop brings the future of strong authentication to the convenience of your Windows device. The 2FA Authenticator Desktop app generates secure 2 step verification tokens on your device. It helps you protect your account from hackers and hijackers by adding an additional layer of security.
The verification code can be generated by the 2FA Authenticator Desktop app on your device, even if you don’t have a network or cellular connection.
Pros:
- No unnecessary features,
- No need to create an account,
- Ability to scan QR codes on screen
- Ability to scan QR file
- Ability to add manual
- Ability to search by token name.
- Ability to export and import token
- Very lightweight
- Easy to use
Cons:
- No access protection,
- Does not hide codes,
- No cloud backup
3. WinAuth
WinAuth targets gamers primarily. The app’s unique superpower is its support for nonstandard tokens for authentication in Steam, Battle.net, and Trion/Gamigo games. If you are looking for an alternative to Steam Guard, Battle.net Authenticator, or Glyph Authenticator/RIFT Mobile Authenticator, this may be the app for you.
Pros:
- Support for nonstandard tokens for gaming services, meaning it can replace Steam Guard and Battle.net Authenticator, as well as Glyph Authenticator and RIFT Mobile Authenticator,
- Support for token export in an unencrypted text file or in an encrypted archive,
- Codes hidden,
- Automatic code hiding after more than 10 seconds of user inactivity,
- Access protection through password or YubiKey (that is, U2F),
- Additional password protection available for each token,
- Portable, with flash drive and cloud storage options,
- Can encrypt stored data,
- Ability to scan QR code from file (local or on the Internet).
Cons:
- Steam token creation requires giving WinAuth your Steam username and password,
- Using a two-factor authentication app on a PC is not advisable in general,
- No version for other operating systems,
- Greater potential risk, because of ease of key retrieval, if the unlocked app falls into the wrong hands.
4. Micro Authenticator – Two Factor (2FA) app
Micro Authenticator is a portable for Windows that provides counter or time-based RFC 6238 authenticators and common implementations, such as the Google Authenticator. Micro Authenticatorcan be used with many Bitcoin trading websites as well as games, supporting Battle.net (World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, Diablo), Guild Wars 2, Glyph (Rift and ArcheAge), WildStar, RuneScape, SWTOR and Steam.
Pros:
- Support for time-based RFC 6238 authenticators (e.g. Google Authenticator) and HOTP counter-based authenticators
- Supports many Bitcoin trading websites such as Coinbase, Gemini, Circle, Bitstamp, BTC-e, Cryptsy
Cons:
- Too expensive
- No support QR code
- No version for other operating systems,
- Greater potential risk, because of ease of key retrieval, if the unlocked app falls into the wrong hands.
5. 2FA Authenticator
2FA Authenticator is a elegant and easy to use authentication app design for Windows platform. It is available on the Microsoft Store. 2FA Authenticator adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by adding a second step of verification when you sign in. This means that in addition to your password, you’ll also need to enter a code that is generated by the 2FA Authenticator app on your desktop.
The verification code can be generated by the 2FA Authenticator app on your Windows, even if you don’t have a internet.
Pros:
- No unnecessary features,
- No need to create an account,
- Ability to scan QR codes on screen
- Ability to scan QR file
- Ability to add manual
- Ability to search by token name.
- Ability to export and import token
Cons:
- No access protection,
- Does not hide codes,
- No cloud backup
6. Twilio Authy
Twilio Authy’s main advantage is its comprehensive cross-platform support. Not only does Authy offer versions for all current operating systems, but also, the app syncs them all handily. That easy access does come with one disadvantage, though. The app requires an account linked to your phone number to work at all.
Pros:
- PIN-, fingerprint-, or Face ID–protected access,
- Cloud backup/sync,
- Availability for all popular operating systems,
Cons:
- Requires an account linked to a phone number,
- Displays only one token at a time,
- Inconvenience of searching for tokens,