Best Open Desktop Authenticator Alternatives in 2026
The top Open Desktop Authenticator alternatives are Proton Authenticator, Google Authenticator and Authy: 15 authenticator apps our editors would look at instead of Open Desktop Authenticator, in our ranking order.
Open Desktop Authenticator: A focused, free desktop tool for Steam Guard codes, confirmations, and encrypted local backups. Where it falls short: supports steam only rather than multiple authenticator ecosystems..
Switching from Open Desktop Authenticator? For most authenticator apps buyers the best Open Desktop 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 an Open Desktop Authenticator Alternative
- Supports Steam only rather than multiple authenticator ecosystems
- Runs on Windows and x64 Linux, with no macOS or mobile support
- Provides no cloud synchronization or multi-device account syncing
- 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 (Open Desktop Authenticator: no)
Visit Proton Authenticator
All 15 Open Desktop 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.
-
Best forUsers wanting a mature free cross-platform option
- Better than Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Multi-device sync
- Editor score 9.4 vs 3.0
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 Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Multi-device sync
- Editor score 9.2 vs 3.0
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 Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Multi-device sync
- Editor score 9.1 vs 3.0
A focused free authenticator for mobile users who need synced TOTP tokens.
- Multi-device sync
- Encrypted backup
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Authy -
Best forMicrosoft users wanting push and passwordless sign-in
- Better than Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 3.0
A focused free authenticator for Microsoft accounts and compatible third-party services.
- Push approvals
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forTeams needing push MFA plus third-party OTPs
- Better than Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 3.0
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
- Better than Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 3.0
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 Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Multi-device sync
- Editor score 8.7 vs 3.0
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 Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Multi-device sync
- Editor score 8.6 vs 3.0
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
- Better than Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 3.0
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
- Better than Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 3.0
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
- Better than Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 3.0
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
- Better than Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 3.0
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
- Better than Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 3.0
A broad, adaptive authentication framework for complex enterprise environments.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit OpenText -
Best forLarge enterprises needing full identity governance
- Better than Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 3.0
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
- Better than Open Desktop Authenticator:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 3.0
A broad identity security platform for Fortinet-centered enterprise environments.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site
Open Desktop Authenticator Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Open Desktop 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 Open Desktop Authenticator?
Yes. Proton Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator and Duo Mobile have a free plan or a free tier (10 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Open Desktop Authenticator?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Bitwarden starts lowest, at $1.65/mo.
Why do people look for Open Desktop Authenticator alternatives?
Supports Steam only rather than multiple authenticator ecosystems; Runs on Windows and x64 Linux, with no macOS or mobile support; Provides no cloud synchronization or multi-device account syncing.
How do I switch from Open Desktop Authenticator?
Export your data from Open Desktop 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 Open Desktop Authenticator.
How to Switch from Open Desktop Authenticator
- Export your data from Open Desktop 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 Open Desktop Authenticator.
Open Desktop Authenticator vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Code type | Encrypted backup | Supported platforms | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | Open Desktop Authenticator | Yes | Free | Yes | Windows, Linux | 3.0 | |
| 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 | Microsoft Authenticator | Yes | Free | Totp | iOS, Android | 9.0 | |
| 5 | Duo Mobile | Yes | $3/user/mo | Totp | Yes | iOS, Android | 8.9 |
| 6 | Yubico Authenticator | Yes | Free | Totp and hotp | No | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS/iPadOS, Android | 8.8 |
| 7 | Zoho OneAuth | Yes | Free | Totp | Yes | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | 8.7 |
| 8 | Ente Auth | Yes | Free | Totp and hotp | Yes | iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, Windows, web | 8.6 |
| 9 | Bitwarden | Yes | $1.65/mo | web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, browser extensions | 8.4 | ||
| 10 | WatchGuard AuthPoint | No | 8.3 | ||||
| 11 | SafeNet MobilePASS+ | Totp and hotp | iOS, Android, Chrome OS, Windows, macOS, Apple Watch | 8.2 | |||
| 12 | Salesforce Authenticator | Yes | Free | Totp | Yes | iOS, Android | 8.1 |
| 13 | OpenText NetIQ Advanced Authentication | 8.0 | |||||
| 14 | IBM Verify | No | Totp | iOS, Android, web | 7.9 | ||
| 15 | FortiAuthenticator | 7.9 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update