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.
I use Google Authenticator every single day. Each morning, I log into my work system with a username and password, but I can not access my important accounts like email, Salesforce CRM, JIRA, Workday, etc. until I have logged in with Google Authenticator. The product addresses security as we work with sensitive client data. Ensuring that employees of my company have only the necessary access is crucial.
Pros
Ease of access when using the app.
Timeliness of providing a code.
Allows for multiple accounts.
Cons
I wish there were a way to access the code outside the app.
I wish I had more accounts to use it on.
I wish I could send a Bluetooth signal instead of typing in a code.
Likelihood to Recommend
Logging into my work accounts is where Google Authenticator works best. Also, I had a personal account get hacked. I had an account created to book hotels, but someone was constantly resetting my password. To prevent further hacking attempts, I set up Google Authenticator. I do not believe it would be appropriate for banking accounts.
VU
Verified User
Contributor in Sales (E-Learning company, 1001-5000 employees)
I utilize Google Authenticator for storing all of my multi-factor authentication keys for several district-related logins that I manage for our organization. It's incredibly simple to use, and doesn't take up much storage space on my phone. New keys generate every 15 seconds in the app, and you can password protect the app itself for an additional layer of security.
Pros
Allows QR codes to be scanned for importing new MFA accounts within the app
Allows you to manually enter a setup key for importing new MFA accounts within the app
Allows a "privacy mode" so that only your phone code or biometrics/fingerprint can open the app
Universally works with all MFA accounts that are not proprietary in nature (like Watchguard Authpoint)
Free to use!
Cons
I wish you could change the duration of time each key is available for.
Likelihood to Recommend
This app can literally function in any setting - because it is so simple and free! It's available in the Google Play Store as well as the Apple App Store. I have not heard of any instances of Google Authenticator being compromised, so that is also a plus.
VU
Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology (Education Management company, 201-500 employees)
I like that it is a good second factor of authentication that has to be used at the moment of logging in. Having an app that refreshes often and forces you to match an existing number is helpful, especially if I don't want to go to my email and refresh or wait for quite a while to see if the email has been received. With the app, the number is already there. All I have to do is wait for the numbers to match and you are good to go!
Pros
Authenticates users in a quick an responsive manner
Gives a greater sense of security as it authenticates users through matching numbers
If the numbers ever time out, I just have to wait 5-10 seconds instead of waiting nearly 10 minutes to see if I have received the email. It saves time!
Cons
I would like for the timer to start when you log in, not to be on a constant loop.
Notifications for need use for the app might be helpful.
Folders for different sites could prove helpful in organization
Likelihood to Recommend
Well suited for places where the second factor of authentication can be done quickly and has access to do so. It would be less appropriate if I did not have access to a secondary device or did not have a way to log in to my Google Authenticator. Sometimes, it helps me when I need to authenticate myself and I have access to the app. It gets me connected faster and it helps to have more security.
We use Google Authenticator for MFA for a wide variety of SaaS applications. All users are required to use MFA for all of our apps. Google Authenticator makes it easy to access those codes.
Pros
Generates new codes every 30 seconds
Allows exporting of accounts
Allows importing of accounts
Cons
When someone has more than a dozen accounts, the app should open with the cursor already in the search field so that the user can search immediately without additional steps. This is my #1 peeve. I have 50 or more accounts in the app and cannot scroll to find the account I need the code from and having to click into the search field slows things down.
Likelihood to Recommend
Well suited for any any that uses MFA. Easy to add accounts via scanning QR codes.
VU
Verified User
C-Level Executive in Information Technology (Non-profit Organization Management company, 51-200 employees)
Having 2FA is critical in today's day and age. Especially with the onslaught of AI, hacking is going to become easier than ever. It's an easy best practice and using an authenticator app is much more secure than getting a text or call. Google Authenticator is easy to use and set up, even more tech averse peoople.
Pros
Provides time based authenticator codes
Allows you to search code by name
Cons
Does not let you easily edit a name after searching for it.
Doesn't allow you to see the secret key if you need to add it to a different authenticator app.
Likelihood to Recommend
The Google Authenticator is a great stand alone app. For people who are extra concerned about security, it allows you a free app to store your 2FA codes apart from your passwords. However, if you have 2FA with your password manager, this greatly enhances the ease of use, albeit, arguably slightly less secure.
Google Authenticator is used everyday by me for logging into multiple softwares. Its two factor authentication helps in easy and quick login. It is highly secure and no need to remember the passwords for every app login. Be it a business login or any other. Google Authenticator can be integrated with other platforms as well. In my case, it was linked with Salesforce platform for secure login.
Pros
Two Factor Authentication
Integration with other software for secure login
Code changes every time for logging in which makes more secured.
Cons
Multiple device use
Multiple 2 factor authentication
Likelihood to Recommend
The application is best suitable for business as well as for personal needs. I have used Google authenticator for both the purposes. But, for business needs it is one of the hassle free ways to get your work done without worrying about the passwords. Be it a finance app which you use for payment purposes or software which you use for logging in to your official work.
VU
Verified User
Manager in Sales (E-Learning company, 1001-5000 employees)
Google Authenticator fills a critical need in a world where individuals have to remember a plethora of logins and passwords for various online services. In order to validate our ownership of our accounts, we may rapidly produce a code using Google Authenticator. We can rest easy knowing that the tool is an essential part of our two-step verification procedure.
Pros
The UI is simple and straightforward to use.
Mobile software that is simple to use and trustworthy.
Trusted to be up to date with the newest security procedures, it is regarded as a reliable source.
Cons
Multi-device support would be a welcome addition.
Improved renaming and organization options for code/accounts is a plus.
Expanded platform support.
Likelihood to Recommend
In addition to other authenticators, I'm more than delighted to let anyone utilize this. However, my approach to working remotely/virtually during the last few years has been organized flexibility, even if your company is hosted on Google's cloud. Allowing the user to make certain decisions for their own comfort, especially when they are using their own gadgets. There isn't a single situation in which this would be less appropriate.
VU
Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology (Information Technology & Services company, 10,001+ employees)
We implemented Google Authenticator for Multi Factor Authentication as a standalone tool for many of our internal systems so our users are not using a bunch of different authenticator applications. Feedback from our team has been that Google Authenticator is an easier authenticator tool to use and makes training users easier. We have been able to develop training documents to help guide users through the setup process.
Pros
Easy to Use
Best UI
Easy to add new accounts
Cons
Does not seem as popular as other solutions like microsoft authenticator
App has a lot of updates
Interface could be filled up more
Likelihood to Recommend
Google Authenticator has been a great too to consolidate our users into 1 single multi factor authentication application instead of using multiple per user, and to make all users follow a standard application so we can better troubleshoot issues and onboard users easier. Google Authenticator makes it easy to add new accounts.
I use the google authenticators instead of my work phone # because it is a better way to secure your account. I use the authenticator for the majority of the work-related accounts to have additional protection. With this additional protection, it is harder for other people to access my accounts and conduct fraudulent activities.
Pros
Protection
Security
Simple
Cons
More availability.
Likelihood to Recommend
It is a great tool to provide additional protection for your accounts. I personally use it to add an extra layer of protection to my email account and other accounts.
MFA is required for all web-delivered systems/services at the company. With the shift to remote work, we were more dependent on users' own devices than in the office. As such, we needed flexibility in the authenticator apps they used. Google Authenticator is trusted, and well known, and some users in the organization were already using it for their own personal use cases. It was an easy fit, while directly addressing the security needs of the organization.
Pros
Ease of use - users find it simple and intuitive to use.
Lightweight - it's not a bulky app.
Secure - it's trusted to stay up to date using the latest security protocols, etc.
Cons
The UI could be prettied up a little - adding logos/icons to match the services.
More flexibility to rename and reorganize the codes/accounts would be beneficial.
"Favoriting" certain codes would make access easier - perhaps via 3D touch, say.
Likelihood to Recommend
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.
VU
Verified User
Manager in Information Technology (Renewables & Environment company, 51-200 employees)