What is Google Authenticator?
Google Authenticator is a software-based authenticator made by Google that uses a 2-Step Verification (also known as two-factor authentication) thereby adding an extra layer of security to your account. You sign in with something you know (your password) and something you have (a code sent to your phone).
Company Details
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Real user data aggregated to summarize the product performance and customer experience.
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Product scores listed below represent current data. This may be different from data contained in reports and awards, which express data as of their publication date.
91 Likeliness to Recommend
96 Plan to Renew
87 Satisfaction of Cost Relative to Value
Emotional Footprint Overview
Product scores listed below represent current data. This may be different from data contained in reports and awards, which express data as of their publication date.
+95 Net Emotional Footprint
The emotional sentiment held by end users of the software based on their experience with the vendor. Responses are captured on an eight-point scale.
How much do users love Google Authenticator?
Pros
- Reliable
- Trustworthy
- Efficient Service
- Respectful
How to read the Emotional Footprint
The Net Emotional Footprint measures high-level user sentiment towards particular product offerings. It aggregates emotional response ratings for various dimensions of the vendor-client relationship and product effectiveness, creating a powerful indicator of overall user feeling toward the vendor and product.
While purchasing decisions shouldn't be based on emotion, it's valuable to know what kind of emotional response the vendor you're considering elicits from their users.
Footprint
Negative
Neutral
Positive
Feature Ratings
Multi-Device Protection
OTP Authentication
Email Authentication
Authentication Assurance Level (AAL)
Biometrics Authentication
Soft Token Authentication
Role-Based Multi-Factor Authentication
Role and User Management
Browser Push Notifications
Phisher Resistance MFA
Adaptive Authentication (Risk-based)
Vendor Capability Ratings
Ease of Implementation
Business Value Created
Ease of IT Administration
Usability and Intuitiveness
Quality of Features
Breadth of Features
Ease of Data Integration
Ease of Customization
Product Strategy and Rate of Improvement
Availability and Quality of Training
Vendor Support
Google Authenticator Reviews
Abigail T.
- Role: Finance
- Industry: Consulting
- Involvement: End User of Application
Submitted Aug 2025
Providing good level of security & authentication.
Likeliness to Recommend
What differentiates Google Authenticator from other similar products?
Google Authenticator continues to stand out because of its extreme simplicity, universal compatibility, and manual-first design. It’s ideal for users who want to keep 2FA straightforward and under their control—trade-offs in sync and user convenience are intentional. If you prioritize sync, recovery options, and biometric tag-ins, apps like this is a strong pick.
What is your favorite aspect of this product?
My favorite aspect of Google Authenticator is its simplicity and reliability.
What do you dislike most about this product?
If you lose your phone or perform a factory reset without transferring your 2FA accounts, you might be permanently locked out of your accounts. Many users have reported difficulties regaining access to services like Reddit and Snapchat due to the lack of a recovery mechanism.
What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?
Regularly Backup Your 2FA Codes and Secrets
Pros
- Reliable
- Performance Enhancing
- Enables Productivity
- Trustworthy
Anuforo O.
- Role: Information Technology
- Industry: Technology
- Involvement: IT Leader or Manager
Submitted Jul 2025
Ease of Integration
Likeliness to Recommend
What differentiates Google Authenticator from other similar products?
Ability to group all connected services together, requires little or no assistance in setup and configuration
What is your favorite aspect of this product?
Everything about the product interest me
What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?
Go for it, highly recommended if you care about privacy and data security
Pros
- Helps Innovate
- Continually Improving Product
- Reliable
- Performance Enhancing
Khalid M.
- Role: Information Technology
- Industry: Technology
- Involvement: End User of Application
Submitted Jul 2025
Simple and Secure,, but Missing Modern Essentials.
Likeliness to Recommend
What differentiates Google Authenticator from other similar products?
1. No login required – It works independently of your Google account, enhancing privacy. 2. Offline operation – Generates codes without needing internet access or cellular data. 3. Lightweight and minimal – No bloat or unnecessary features; just time-based OTPs. 4. Widely supported – Works with almost any service that supports TOTP .
What is your favorite aspect of this product?
My favorite aspect of Google Authenticator is its simplicity and offline reliability. It generates secure OTP codes without needing an internet connection or login, making it fast, lightweight, and dependable — especially for users who value privacy and just need a no-fuss 2FA solution.
What do you dislike most about this product?
What I dislike most about Google Authenticator is the lack of backup and multi-device sync. If you lose or reset your phone, you lose access to all your 2FA codes — which can lock you out of important accounts. There's also no app lock or biometric protection, which feels like a security gap for an authentication tool.
What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?
1. Great for Simple, Offline Use – It’s fast, private, and works without an internet connection. 2. Back Up Your QR Codes – Save the setup codes or backup keys when adding accounts in case you lose your device. 3. Use on One Device Only – It doesn't support multi-device sync, so stick to one phone. 4. Pair with Device Security – Since the app lacks a lock or biometrics, make sure your phone itself is well protected.
Pros
- Continually Improving Product
- Reliable
- Performance Enhancing
- Enables Productivity
