Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Authenticator Apps

Google Authenticator vs Yubico Authenticator

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Google Authenticator #2 in Authenticator Apps 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit site
Yubico Authenticator #6 in Authenticator Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Yubico

Google Authenticator leads on 2 checks, Yubico Authenticator on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGoogle Authenticator · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresGoogle Authenticator · 2 of 4

Google Authenticator scores higher on our rubric for authenticator apps: 9.2 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

Google Authenticator offers encrypted backup; Yubico Authenticator doesn't. Google Authenticator offers multi-device sync; Yubico Authenticator doesn't.

Google Authenticator is the better fit for users wanting a simple, established free option. Yubico Authenticator is the better fit for yubiKey owners storing codes in hardware.

  • Google Authenticator fits best

    Users wanting a simple, established free option

  • Yubico Authenticator fits best

    YubiKey owners storing codes in hardware

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Google Authenticator 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Yubico Authenticator 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.8
Ranking #2 in Authenticator Apps #6 in Authenticator Apps
Best for Users wanting a simple, established free option YubiKey owners storing codes in hardware
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Android, iOS Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Google Authenticator 2/4 · Yubico Authenticator 0/4
Push approvals Not checked yet —
Encrypted backup ✓ (best) —
Multi-device sync ✓ (best) —
Team administration Not checked yet —
Specs
Code type Totp and hotp Totp and hotp
Supported platforms Android, iOS Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS/iPadOS, Android
Our review
Pros
  • Generates TOTP and HOTP codes without internet or cellular access
  • Encrypted synchronization across devices with Google Account support
  • QR-code setup and transfers simplify account migration
  • Stores TOTP and HOTP credentials in the YubiKey secure element
  • Manages passkeys, PIV credentials, OTP slots, and fingerprints
  • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS/iPadOS, and Android
Cons
  • Works only with websites and apps that support authenticator codes
  • Requires device authentication to use Privacy Screen protection
  • QR transfers require access to both the source and destination devices
  • Requires a compatible YubiKey and is not a standalone authenticator
  • Does not provide encrypted backup or multi-device synchronization
  • Credentials are not extractable from the hardware key
Our verdict

Google Authenticator is a free mobile app for generating one-time verification codes for websites and apps that support authenticator-based two-step verification. It supports time-based and counter-based codes, works offline, and is…

Read the review →

Yubico Authenticator is a companion app for YubiKey security keys, designed for people who want one-time password credentials stored on dedicated hardware. It generates OATH TOTP and HOTP codes, adds accounts by QR code or manual entry,…

Read the review →
  1. Google AuthenticatorAuthenticator Apps 9.2Free plan
  2. Yubico AuthenticatorAuthenticator Apps 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Google Authenticator — where it wins

    • Generates TOTP and HOTP codes without internet or cellular access
    • Encrypted synchronization across devices with Google Account support
    • QR-code setup and transfers simplify account migration

    Where it doesn't

    • Works only with websites and apps that support authenticator codes
    • Requires device authentication to use Privacy Screen protection
    • QR transfers require access to both the source and destination devices

  • Yubico Authenticator — where it wins

    • Stores TOTP and HOTP credentials in the YubiKey secure element
    • Manages passkeys, PIV credentials, OTP slots, and fingerprints
    • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS/iPadOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a compatible YubiKey and is not a standalone authenticator
    • Does not provide encrypted backup or multi-device synchronization
    • Credentials are not extractable from the hardware key
  • Google Authenticator9.2/10 · Free plan

    A free, straightforward authenticator with offline codes, sync, and QR transfers.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Yubico Authenticator8.8/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source companion for storing TOTP and HOTP codes on a YubiKey.

    Visit YubicoFull verdict →

More comparisons

All authenticator apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update