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
Considered Both Products
Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (Discontinued)
Chose Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (Discontinued)
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 …
Google Authenticator
Chose Google Authenticator
Salesforce Field Service, LinkedIn Jobs, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Excel, AutoCAD, Instagram for Business, LinkedIn Sales Navigator and LinkedIn Premium Business
Chose Google Authenticator
There are a few things to keep in mind when using Google Authenticator. Second, it's imperative that everything be kept as simple as possible. Many customers don't understand why they're putting up MFA, therefore adding further difficulty to their daily routines is always a …
Chose Google Authenticator
Being under the google umbrella gives a level of reassurance to our users. It seems to be cleaner and easier to use for our users. Being able to use a product from an already known vendor helps onboard new users to the software. It is clean and easy to use, all of the users …
Chose Google Authenticator
First, Google Authenticator meets the security requirements which should be considered "table stakes". Second, simplicity is critical. Many users don' understand why they are setting up MFA (or they just don't care), and so adding additional complications to their day-to-day is …
Chose Google Authenticator
Setup was easier and transferring between accounts is simpler in Google Authenticator when compared against Symantec VIP. The other features kind of are the same where both provide keys in offline mode and work seamlessly. Keys are refreshed every 30 seconds in both the …
Chose Google Authenticator
For myself and my business, we have not explored any other Authenticator out there. We have had no real issues with Google Authenticator and have no plans to switch.
Chose Google Authenticator
We were using Duo before in our environment for two-factor environment. But when it comes to availability we were always facing issues such as time-sync & app integration. After using Google Authenticator it resolved our synchronization issues as well as the third-party tool …
Chose Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator is cost-effective & a bucket of features as compared to other available solutions in the market. Google Authenticator provides a multi-layer of security with ease of integration features.
Chose Google Authenticator
I've used only this software for the last 2 years and have never faced any issues so no need to go to another application.
Chose Google Authenticator
I used Cisco Secure Access Duo in my organization but I was not happy with [the] services. It creates lots of problems so I switched to google authenticator and it is really good. I am very happy with this software. No need to search [for] another option.
Chose Google Authenticator
Google authenticator can only run on mobile devices, which makes for a more secure authentication flow.
1Password's desktop multi-factor authentication is easier to use, but it's the same device so is a weaker form of multi-factor authentication and thus less secure.
Chose Google Authenticator
I stopped using google authenticator once I lost my primary phone.
Chose Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator is awesome. We used LastPass in the past. In general, I don't like password saving or authenticating services because it feels like a vault that I am putting all my trust in. With Google, they have made it so easy and secure, I feel confident. I have …
Chose Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator is only really competing against SMS two-factor. Instead of getting a text from random phone numbers all the time, you go to one app/ website to get access to any account.

In addition, we can allow our members to share the same Google account (with a master …
Chose Google Authenticator
We are using our WhatsApp Business Account to send OTP to our users, but we can't control our users for having a WhatsApp Account. And WhatsApp API is not free too and so complicated to implement. Google Authenticator is a good alternative and cost-free to our users for getting …
Chose Google Authenticator
LastPass is the most similar to Authenticator that we're currently using, but I honestly wouldn't say they are all that similar. Authenticator is another step up, security-wise, from password managers as far as internet safety goes.
Chose Google Authenticator
I tried a few other apps and decided to personally go with Authy, but I usually recommend Google Authenticator for most people who just want something simple and easy to use.

I also tried Microsoft Authenticator (not available in the list above), but it didn't work as well as …
Chose Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator is a great alternative to FortiAuthenticator for our vendors to have us use to login securely to their secure portals and FTP sites. Google Authenticator does not require a setup by the Admin in order to use it. Google Authenticator does not require …
Chose Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator is well known and trusted in the space.
Chose Google Authenticator
Twilio Authy is our preferred alternative - it features a lot of the same good features, along with a nicer backup setup and a more robust security model.
Chose Google Authenticator
CyberDuo was also looked at - but because we were already set up with Google in our organization this seemed the way to go. Again, I am a user and have no authority in that area, but Google was seamless and transitioned us right into what was needed here.
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
Read full review
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
Read full review
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