Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (Discontinued) vs. Google Authenticator

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (Discontinued)
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft's Azure Multi-Factor Authentication was an MFA solution acquired with PhoneFactor in 2012. From 2018 it is no longer available as a standalone product. This functionality is now provided by Microsoft Entra ID.N/A
Google Authenticator
Score 8.1 out of 10
N/A
Google Authenticator is a mobile authentication app.N/A
Pricing
Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (Discontinued)Google Authenticator
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (Discontinued)Google Authenticator
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (Discontinued)Google Authenticator
Best Alternatives
Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (Discontinued)Google Authenticator
Small Businesses
WatchGuard AuthPoint
WatchGuard AuthPoint
Score 9.1 out of 10
WatchGuard AuthPoint
WatchGuard AuthPoint
Score 9.1 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo
Score 9.5 out of 10
Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo
Score 9.5 out of 10
Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo
Score 9.5 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (Discontinued)Google Authenticator
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.6
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
4.0
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
5.0
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (Discontinued)Google Authenticator
Likelihood to Recommend
If your solution falls within their standard use case or you have Office 365 - then it makes total sense. If you need a lot of customization or have a really specific business process that causes you to deviate from the standard flow it usually makes more sense to create a custom solution
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It is supported by virtually all cloud-based software applications for business. I am happy to allow users to use this in addition to other authenticators. Certainly, if your business is in the Google cloud it makes sense, but my approach to the remote/virtual work world these past couple of years has been structured flexibility. Leaving some choice up to the users for their own comfort, particularly when they are using their own devices. I cannot think of a scenario where it is less appropriate - perhaps where you run the risk of "app sprawl". I.e., where you are requiring users to handle multiple authenticators (which can happen with certain pieces of hardware) you may want to encourage consolidation into one to avoid frustration.
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Pros
  • Ease of use
  • Interoperability
  • Industry standard
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  • Easy implementation: The product is very easy to implement both from embedding it into the application and from end users using it via their smartphones.
  • You can use Google Authenticator to manage multiple two-factor authentication keys.
  • Easy to add keys options: You can scan a QR code to set up 2FA in Google Authenticator. You can also do a manual entry using the unique key provided by the application you are setting up 2FA for.
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Cons
  • It can be difficult to work with when deviating off the standard use cases
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  • It runs on only a few platforms, specifically Android, iOS, and Blackberry and in my opinion it needs to be available on every platform that is out there.
  • SA drawback I have noticed is that if you swap phones you have to blitz the entire app and go back and sync up all the accounts again which can be very frustrating for new users.
  • It can also be risky ( for some ) having all all your data centralized in one place.
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Likelihood to Renew
No answers on this topic
It works as intended, easy to setup, free and gives you another level of security against any unwanted access or cyber attacks
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Usability
No answers on this topic
It's as easy as opening the app and what I need it for is there. I don't have to fumble with other accounts or getting something else to open it for me. I have all the access that I need for the use of the app within seconds and I can get access to the info that I need.
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Reliability and Availability
No answers on this topic
In terms of availability, I had not experienced any issues with outages or the product not working when needed
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Performance
No answers on this topic
The performance of google Authenticator is good and I have not experienced any slow downs
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Support Rating
No answers on this topic
I have found Google’s support to be hit or miss. There are times when they are very responsive, and I get my issue resolved quickly, and there are times where a response from them takes weeks. There is no in-between. But my support experience with this particular product is nonexistent because I have not had a problem with it yet. Hopefully, we do not have any problems with it either.
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Implementation Rating
No answers on this topic
It was easy to implement and it went very smoothly. No issues
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Alternatives Considered
Honestly, they are very similar as is much of their offerings. It really comes down to which ecosystem are you already invested in? It doesn't make a lot of sense to try and interop with every cloud vendor - pick one and use them. While there used to be substantial differences in the cloud platforms, they are at basic parity now
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This product doesn't ensure single-use, real-time codes. This puts our data at risk and is not as secure as Google Authenticator. I anticipate using Google Authenticator as long as we continue to use the full Google Suite for business. It helps to streamline data and accounts.
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Scalability
No answers on this topic
The product doesn’t have any features of tools that can help it scale
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Return on Investment
  • Overall, it's a really good value compared to building a custom solution that you have to maintain
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  • I would say from my limited role in the programs deployed and just being a user, this has been a valuable tool so our ROI is high. We get security and can breathe knowing we have authentication for those who have to be on our network and we are able to protect our work.
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ScreenShots