Choosing the best two-factor authentication app is an important choice most people will only want to make once. With the general consensus being that one of these three apps is the best way to go for 2FA, we thought it'd be a good idea to compare Google Authenticator, Authy, and LastPass Authenticator.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is becoming increasingly important, despite most people viewing it as an annoyance. If the phrase sounds unfamiliar, it's that thing some services like PayPal do where they'll send you a text after you've already typed in a user name and password, with a code that must be entered before you log in. Yes, it's annoying, but it's also literally the best way to protect yourself from password hacks using the internet. Just about anyone with experience in cybersecurity will tell you to enable two-factor authentication for as many platforms as possible.
Fortunately, authenticator apps streamline this process. Authy, LastPass Authenticator, and Google Authenticator each have smartphone apps that do the work of setting up and using 2FA for you. Rather than having to rely on a text every time you log in to a service, with these apps you can easily store login information, and get a unique security code from one place. Tell them where you're logging in, and they'll generate a temporary code. Security isn't fun or exciting, but these apps at least make it easier, so here are some things to think about in deciding which one to use.
Comparing Authenticator Apps
Right off the bat, there's a strong argument to be made against Google Authenticator. It's convenient because it ties into so many other parts of Google (although, with so much connected to one Google password, even that is a bit of a risky proposition), but because it's not a dedicated feature of Google's brand, it lags behind its competitors for features and updates. Additionally, switching devices requires adding each account again, which means Google Authenticator is a bad choice for anyone who uses multiple phones and tablets.
That leaves LastPass Authenticator and Authy vying for the top spot. LastPass is a password management application first, and a 2FA app second. This means it can store login information for most services, which is great for security. One of the biggest reasons people get "hacked" is that they use the same password for multiple services since one password is easy to remember. Having multiple, varied passwords is the way to go, but keeping track of those is difficult, which is why password managers are great to have.
Specifically focusing on 2FA, Last Pass Authenticator combines the password management feature with the 2FA tool. So, you'll be able to travel to a site, have your ID and password auto-fill, then get the prompt to enter a 2FA code on whichever device you have LastPass installed. From there, LastPass has a one-tap approval feature that will fill in the 2FA code as well, so you'll get auto-fill on your credentials and on your 2FA. That's about as convenient as two-factor security gets.
Authy lacks the one-tap convenience and the password storage, but that also make sit a cleaner, simpler 2FA option. In terms of reliability, it's comparable to LastPass. The biggest difference between the two in terms of 2FA comes down to Authy's reliance on locking things to a SIM card, versus LastPass tying data to the user's LastPass account. Basically, it's physical vs. the cloud, and that brings in all the debates one would expect. No one without access to your SIM can get to your Authy account's info, but losing that SIM or device introduces incredible hassles. LastPass won't have those hassles since it's tied to an online account, but if they ever get hacked, your 2FA data and your passwords are at risk. LastPass has proven to be reliable, though, so deciding between it an Authy comes down to a question of convenience. Still, not using either is the worst possible choice!