SelfHostAuth
SelfHostAuth: A free, open-source authenticator for teams and individuals managing their own infrastructure. Ranked #48 of 111 in Authenticator Apps by our editors (4.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for self-hosters needing broad authenticator coverage.
At a glance
- Editor score4.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSelf-hosters needing broad authenticator coverage
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Push approvalsNo
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports TOTP and HOTP with QR, otpauth://, and Base32 imports
- Encrypts vaults at rest with AES-256-GCM
- Offers web, desktop, mobile, and browser extension clients
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted only; no hosted version is available
- Does not support push approvals
- Requires operating your own authentication infrastructure
Our verdict on SelfHostAuth
SelfHostAuth is an open-source, self-hosted authenticator and 2FA synchronization server for privacy-conscious individuals, homelab users, and teams that want to operate their own authentication infrastructure. It generates RFC-compliant TOTP and HOTP codes, imports secrets through QR, otpauth://, or Base32 formats, and provides a web-based authenticator vault alongside native applications and browser extensions.
The published product details show a free, open-source model rather than a tiered commercial offering. SelfHostAuth is self-hosted only, with no hosted version available, so its fit is strongest for buyers who want to run the service themselves instead of relying on a hosted authenticator service. Vault data is encrypted at rest with AES-256-GCM, while revision-based synchronization supports multiple devices. Offline vault caching and local code computation also support access when a device is offline.
Platform coverage is a central strength. SelfHostAuth provides web access, Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop applications, iOS and Android mobile applications, plus a browser extension for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. That breadth makes it suitable for users who move between desktop, mobile, browser, and self-managed environments. It does not support push approvals, and buyers looking for a hosted service or push-based authentication should choose an alternative. For self-hosters who need TOTP and HOTP coverage across many device types, SelfHostAuth is a focused option with a broad client footprint.
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SelfHostAuth pricing
SelfHostAuth fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Code type | Totp and hotp |
| Push approvals | No |
| Encrypted backup | Not verified |
| Multi-device sync | Yes |
| Team administration | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android, chrome_extension |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension |
| Support | Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to SelfHostAuth
- Proton AuthenticatorA mature free option for secure 2FA codes across mobile and desktop platforms.9.4
- Google AuthenticatorA free, straightforward authenticator with offline codes, sync, and QR transfers.9.2
- AuthyA focused free authenticator for mobile users who need synced TOTP tokens.9.1
See all SelfHostAuth alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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