SelfHostAuth review
A free, open-source authenticator for teams and individuals managing their own infrastructure.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
SelfHostAuth pros and cons
- 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
SelfHostAuth fact sheet, pricing and score →
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