Best Microsoft Authenticator Alternatives in 2026
The top Microsoft Authenticator alternatives are Proton Authenticator, Google Authenticator and Authy: 15 authenticator apps our editors would look at instead of Microsoft Authenticator, in our ranking order.
Microsoft Authenticator: A focused free authenticator for Microsoft accounts and compatible third-party services. Where it falls short: available only on iOS and android.
Switching from Microsoft Authenticator? For most authenticator apps buyers the best Microsoft Authenticator alternative is Proton Authenticator, built for users wanting a mature free cross-platform option. On a budget, Bitwarden starts at $1.65/mo.
Why People Look for a Microsoft Authenticator Alternative
- Available only on iOS and Android
- Backup and restore works between devices of the same type
- HOTP support is not available for Microsoft Entra ID
- No multi-device sync — 5 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallProton Authenticator9.4
Users wanting a mature free cross-platform option
Visit Proton Authenticator - Lowest priceBitwarden8.4
Paid plans from $1.65/mo
Visit Bitwarden - Best free optionProton Authenticator9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Proton Authenticator - Best for multi-device syncProton Authenticator9.4
Multi-device sync (Microsoft Authenticator: no)
Visit Proton Authenticator
All 15 Microsoft Authenticator Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forUsers wanting a mature free cross-platform option
- Better than Microsoft Authenticator:
- Multi-device sync
- Editor score 9.4 vs 9.0
A mature free option for secure 2FA codes across mobile and desktop platforms.
- Multi-device sync
- Encrypted backup
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Proton -
Best forUsers wanting a simple, established free option
- Better than Microsoft Authenticator:
- Multi-device sync
- Editor score 9.2 vs 9.0
A free, straightforward authenticator with offline codes, sync, and QR transfers.
- Multi-device sync
- Encrypted backup
9.2/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forMobile users needing multi-device token sync
- Better than Microsoft Authenticator:
- Multi-device sync
- Editor score 9.1 vs 9.0
A focused free authenticator for mobile users who need synced TOTP tokens.
- Multi-device sync
- Encrypted backup
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Authy -
Best forTeams needing push MFA plus third-party OTPs
A flexible authenticator for Duo push approvals, third-party OTPs, and team device management.
- Team administration
- Push approvals
- Encrypted backup
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Duo Mobile -
Best forYubiKey owners storing codes in hardware
A free, open-source companion for storing TOTP and HOTP codes on a YubiKey.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Yubico -
Best forZoho organizations needing MFA and SSO
- Better than Microsoft Authenticator:
- Multi-device sync
A free authenticator with strong Zoho workflows, backup, sync, and organization-wide MFA.
- Multi-device sync
- Push approvals
- Encrypted backup
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Zoho OneAuth -
Best forMost users needing a full-featured free authenticator
- Better than Microsoft Authenticator:
- Multi-device sync
A free, open-source authenticator with broad platform coverage and encrypted sync.
- Multi-device sync
- Encrypted backup
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Ente Auth -
Best forBitwarden users wanting TOTP alongside password management
A password vault with TOTP, suited to people who want both in one product.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Bitwarden -
Best forEnterprises needing adaptive MFA and device trust
A broad enterprise MFA service with adaptive policies, device trust, and extensive integrations.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit WatchGuard -
Best forEnterprises needing managed mobile token deployment
A flexible enterprise authenticator for managed token deployment across major platforms.
- Team administration
- Push approvals
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Thales -
Best forSalesforce organizations needing managed MFA
A free mobile authenticator built for managed MFA across Salesforce organizations.
- Team administration
- Push approvals
- Encrypted backup
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Salesforce -
Best forLarge enterprises needing adaptive authentication
A broad, adaptive authentication framework for complex enterprise environments.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit OpenText -
Best forLarge enterprises needing full identity governance
A broad identity platform for enterprises that need governance beyond authentication.
- Team administration
- Push approvals
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit IBM Verify -
Best forFortinet environments needing full identity security
A broad identity security platform for Fortinet-centered enterprise environments.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forOrganizations needing cloud authentication APIs
A broad cloud authentication stack for organizations building secure web and mobile access.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit OneSpan
Microsoft Authenticator Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Microsoft Authenticator?
Proton Authenticator: #1 in our Authenticator Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A mature free option for secure 2FA codes across mobile and desktop platforms.
Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Authenticator?
Yes. Proton Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Authy, Duo Mobile and Yubico Authenticator have a free plan or a free tier (9 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Microsoft Authenticator?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Bitwarden starts lowest, at $1.65/mo.
Why do people look for Microsoft Authenticator alternatives?
Available only on iOS and Android; Backup and restore works between devices of the same type; HOTP support is not available for Microsoft Entra ID.
How do I switch from Microsoft Authenticator?
Export your data from Microsoft Authenticator (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Microsoft Authenticator.
How to Switch from Microsoft Authenticator
- Export your data from Microsoft Authenticator (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Microsoft Authenticator.
Microsoft Authenticator vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Code type | Encrypted backup | Supported platforms | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Microsoft Authenticator | Yes | Free | Totp | iOS, Android | 9.0 | |
| 1 | Proton Authenticator | Yes | Free | Totp | Yes | iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux | 9.4 |
| 2 | Google Authenticator | Yes | Free | Totp and hotp | Yes | Android, iOS | 9.2 |
| 3 | Authy | Yes | Free | Totp | Yes | iOS, Android | 9.1 |
| 4 | Duo Mobile | Yes | $3/user/mo | Totp | Yes | iOS, Android | 8.9 |
| 5 | Yubico Authenticator | Yes | Free | Totp and hotp | No | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS/iPadOS, Android | 8.8 |
| 6 | Zoho OneAuth | Yes | Free | Totp | Yes | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | 8.7 |
| 7 | Ente Auth | Yes | Free | Totp and hotp | Yes | iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, Windows, web | 8.6 |
| 8 | Bitwarden | Yes | $1.65/mo | web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, browser extensions | 8.4 | ||
| 9 | WatchGuard AuthPoint | No | 8.3 | ||||
| 10 | SafeNet MobilePASS+ | Totp and hotp | iOS, Android, Chrome OS, Windows, macOS, Apple Watch | 8.2 | |||
| 11 | Salesforce Authenticator | Yes | Free | Totp | Yes | iOS, Android | 8.1 |
| 12 | OpenText NetIQ Advanced Authentication | 8.0 | |||||
| 13 | IBM Verify | No | Totp | iOS, Android, web | 7.9 | ||
| 14 | FortiAuthenticator | 7.9 | |||||
| 15 | OneSpan Cloud Authentication | 7.9 |
Head-to-Head
- Microsoft Authenticator vs Proton Authenticator
- Microsoft Authenticator vs Google Authenticator
- Microsoft Authenticator vs Authy
- Microsoft Authenticator vs Duo Mobile
- Microsoft Authenticator vs Yubico Authenticator
- Microsoft Authenticator vs Zoho OneAuth
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update