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Head-to-head · Authenticator Apps

Proton Authenticator vs Duo Mobile

Updated Oct 2026
Both researched from official sources
5 checks side by side

Higher score Proton Authenticator #1 in Authenticator Apps 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Proton

Duo Mobile #5 in Authenticator Apps 8.9/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Duo Mobile

Proton Authenticator leads on 0 checks, Duo Mobile on 0, and 5 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 scoreProton Authenticator · 9.4/10
Free planboth
Free trialonly Duo Mobile
Most featuresDuo Mobile · 3 of 4

Proton Authenticator scores higher on our rubric for authenticator apps: 9.4 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Proton Authenticator is the better fit for users wanting a mature free cross-platform option. Duo Mobile is the better fit for teams needing push MFA plus third-party OTPs.

Proton Authenticator fits best
Users wanting a mature free cross-platform option
Duo Mobile fits best
Teams needing push MFA plus third-party OTPs

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

Show only differences

Feature	Proton Authenticator 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Duo Mobile 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in Authenticator Apps	#5 in Authenticator Apps
Best for	Users wanting a mature free cross-platform option	Teams needing push MFA plus third-party OTPs
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free	$3/user/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	iOS, Android
Support	Live chat, Tickets, Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Proton Authenticator 2/4 · Duo Mobile 3/4
Push approvals	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Encrypted backup	✓	✓
Multi-device sync	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Team administration	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Code type	Totp	Totp
Supported platforms	iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux	iOS, Android
Our review
Pros	Free on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux End-to-end encrypted synchronization and encrypted backups Imports tokens and supports offline six-digit TOTP codes	Supports one-tap push approvals plus TOTP and HOTP codes Encrypted backup, Instant Restore, and Security Checkup add useful safeguards Administrative device enrollment and management support team deployments
Cons	Focused on time-based one-time passwords rather than broader authentication methods Cross-device synchronization requires signing in to a Proton Account Designed for individuals rather than broader organizational administration	Backup and restore depend on operating system and device settings Backup restoration does not work across platforms Administrative controls are provided through the broader Duo service
Our verdict	Proton Authenticator is a free, open-source app for individuals who need to generate and manage two-factor authentication codes. It creates six-digit time-based one-time passwords and supports QR-code scanning or manual secret-key entry.… Read the review →	Duo Mobile is a smartphone authenticator for individuals and organizations using Cisco Duo. It combines one-tap push approval and denial with TOTP and HOTP passcode generation, covering both Duo-protected applications and compatible… Read the review →

Proton AuthenticatorAuthenticator Apps 9.4Free plan
Duo MobileAuthenticator Apps 8.9Free plan · 30-day trial

Compare the top tools in

Strengths and trade-offs

Proton Authenticator — where it wins
- Free on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux
- End-to-end encrypted synchronization and encrypted backups
- Imports tokens and supports offline six-digit TOTP codes
Where it doesn't
- Focused on time-based one-time passwords rather than broader authentication methods
- Cross-device synchronization requires signing in to a Proton Account
- Designed for individuals rather than broader organizational administration
Duo Mobile — where it wins
- Supports one-tap push approvals plus TOTP and HOTP codes
- Encrypted backup, Instant Restore, and Security Checkup add useful safeguards
- Administrative device enrollment and management support team deployments
Where it doesn't
- Backup and restore depend on operating system and device settings
- Backup restoration does not work across platforms
- Administrative controls are provided through the broader Duo service

Proton Authenticator9.4/10 · Free plan
A mature free option for secure 2FA codes across mobile and desktop platforms.
Visit Proton Full verdict →
Duo Mobile8.9/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial
A flexible authenticator for Duo push approvals, third-party OTPs, and team device management.
Visit Duo Mobile Full verdict →

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update