Google Authenticator Reviews & Insights

Score8.1 out of 10

270 Reviews and Ratings

Community insights

TrustRadius Insights for Google Authenticator are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, third party data sources.

Pros

User-Friendly Interface: Reviewers have consistently praised the app for its simple and straightforward user interface, making navigation easy for all users. The intuitive design allows users to quickly access their accounts and manage security settings without confusion.

Mobile Capability: Reviewers appreciate Google Authenticator's mobile capabilities. The ability to authenticate remotely allows for greater flexibility in working environments.

Efficient Backup and Integration: The ease of generating new accounts, coupled with the app's seamless integration with third-party tools, has been highlighted by several reviewers as a significant advantage. Users find it convenient to back up their data securely while utilizing various platforms effortlessly.

Google Authenticator Reviews

4 Reviews

Information Technology

Videos

Excellent 2-step

Rating: 9 out of 10

Incentivized

June 13, 2019

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Google Authenticator is used as a 2-step verification method for all account authentications with various software services that support its use. There are numerous forms of 2-step verification and so the entire organization is not making use of this particular method. It, along with the other methods, provides an added layer of security that is necessary within an enterprise as a security best practice.

Pros

2-step verification
Convenience as an app

Cons

None. It works really well and does its job.

Likelihood to Recommend

Google Authenticator is well suited as a method for 2-step verification for authentication requests to various software systems. It is more convenient to use than a hardware security key (FIDO) since it is just an app installed on your mobile phone rather than a separate piece of hardware. With that said, it is not as secure as a hardware key.

Verified User

C-Level Executive in Information Technology (Computer Software company, 11-50 employees)

Vetted Review

2 years of experience

Easy to configure and use 2 Step Verification

Rating: 9 out of 10

Incentivized

February 7, 2019

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We are using Google Authenticator for 2SV (Two Step Verification) for internal application login pages. This way, we are preventing any hacker throttling our applications and overloading it, thereby making it hard to use for real users. This is being used for our current client only for a particular system transformation project we are working on.

Google Authenticator uses TOTP (time-based OTP) and HOTP (HMAC based OTP) algorithms. The product is very reliable and easy to implement.

Pros

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.

Cons

I once performed a factory reset of my smartphone which had Google Authenticator. I didn't have a backup for the device. When I restored my phone with the same google account, I was not able to restore the authenticator app settings. I had to add all the keys back into the app to use it. This is cumbersome, but I understand it is set up this way for security reasons.
I don't like the ease with which it lets you delete a key. If I accidentally delete a key, I am doomed to get my 2FA key reset, unless I still have the QR code saved somewhere.

Likelihood to Recommend

Google Authenticator is cost effective and easy to configure. It is a reliable two-factor authentication device. It also lets you chose between TOTP and HOTP by turning on/off the time-based feature.

Ravinder Gupta

Database Technology Architect in Information Technology at CGI (Information Technology and Services, 10,001+ employees)

Vetted Review

2 years of experience

View profile

2FA with Google Authenticator Keeps Things Secure

Rating: 9 out of 10

Incentivized

January 16, 2019

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Google Authenticator is used for 2FA (2-factor authentication). Google Authenticator displays a frequently-refreshing sequence of numbers that one inputs into the login interface on Gmail to gain access to one's account. It is used across the entire organization and integrates with the Google suite of services/products to keep access secure and limited to organization members. It provides a more reliable form of 2FA than SMS messaging (texts) or phone-call verifications.

Pros

Well-supported on mobile devices (Android, iPhone) with reliable app stability.
Integrates readily with Gmail and Google Suite.
Adds a complementary, supplementary layer of security to access (beyond password input).
Can be readily implemented to add 2FA for personal Google accounts.

Cons

Setup can be cumbersome for people without experience using 2FA methods.
Unable to access authenticator app if you don't have your mobile device available.

Likelihood to Recommend

Some kind of 2FA is almost always appropriate, but the specific instance may be more or less suited depending on particular security requirements. For instance, working with medical/health information may necessitate a far more stringent security process using other, industry-specific tools (including hardware authenticators). 2FA relies on two factors, rather than 2 inputs (like security questions), and therefore adds an additional layer of security over conventional passwords. 2FA may be overkill for personal accounts.

Leah Jakaitis

Senior Data Analyst in Marketing at Tulco Labs (Marketing and Advertising, 11-50 employees)

Vetted Review

2 years of experience

View profile

Google Authenticator works great for me.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Incentivized

October 25, 2018

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use Google Authenticator to securely log into my accounts using two-factor authentication. My company consists of just myself. I love Google Authenticator because it is incredibly easy to set up and use. I have 5 different G Suite accounts and numerous social media accounts; I use two-factor authentication on all of them. Having Google Authenticator on my phone makes it incredibly easy to log in wherever I am. After using Google Authenticator for more than five years, I have not had one of my accounts hacked. I always have my phone with me, so there is not an extra device or fob to carry. I recommend wholeheartedly it to anyone who uses two-factor authentication.

Pros

Ease of use. Simply open the app and codes are there for all my two-factor protected accounts.
Having Google Authenticator as an app on my phone makes it really accessible.
Easy set-up. I had the app up and running within 5 minutes.

Cons

I have not come across any areas that need improvement for my use case.

Likelihood to Recommend

When I log in to my personal account at school, I can log in securely and quickly. It also works when I log in to Facebook or another Google account. The only time I have had problems was when I misplaced my phone. I spent the day out of contact. However, this would be a problem for any device that I have to carry even if it is on my keychain or a lanyard.

Karen Chichester

Google Education Trainer,Technology Integration Specialist, Owner at MacChyver Tech (Education Management, 51-200 employees)

Vetted Review

5 years of experience

View profile

Video reviews

View playlist