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Head-to-head · Authenticator Apps

Proton Authenticator vs Yubico Authenticator

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

Yubico Authenticator #6 in Authenticator Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Yubico

Proton 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 scoreProton Authenticator · 9.4/10
Free planboth
Most featuresProton Authenticator · 2 of 4

Proton Authenticator scores higher on our rubric for authenticator apps: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

On code type, Yubico Authenticator gives you Totp and hotp where Proton Authenticator offers Totp. Proton Authenticator offers encrypted backup; Yubico Authenticator doesn't. Proton Authenticator offers multi-device sync; Yubico Authenticator doesn't.

Proton Authenticator is the better fit for users wanting a mature free cross-platform option. Yubico Authenticator is the better fit for yubiKey owners storing codes in hardware.

Proton Authenticator fits best
Users wanting a mature free cross-platform option
Yubico Authenticator fits best
YubiKey owners storing codes in hardware

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Side by side

Show only differences

Feature	Proton Authenticator 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Yubico Authenticator 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Authenticator Apps	#6 in Authenticator Apps
Best for	Users wanting a mature free cross-platform option	YubiKey owners storing codes in hardware
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Live chat, Tickets, Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Proton 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	Totp and hotp
Supported platforms	iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS/iPadOS, 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	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	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	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	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 →	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 →

Proton AuthenticatorAuthenticator Apps 9.4Free plan
Y Yubico AuthenticatorAuthenticator Apps 8.8Free plan

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
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

Proton Authenticator9.4/10 · Free plan
A mature free option for secure 2FA codes across mobile and desktop platforms.
Visit Proton Full verdict →
Yubico Authenticator8.8/10 · Free plan
A free, open-source companion for storing TOTP and HOTP codes on a YubiKey.
Visit Yubico 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