Open Authenticator

What Open Authenticator is

Open Authenticator is a TOTP manager for adding two-factor authentication to accounts. It works with services that support this method, including Google, GitHub, and Discord. The app synchronizes codes across Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux, and encrypted backups are supported. Data is encrypted before transmission with a key derived from a master password.

The app is free and open source under the GNU GPL v3 license. Its maker says there are no ads, tracking, or data collection, and translations are contributed by the community. The backend can be self-hosted; doing so requires a Node.js environment, pnpm, a compatible database, and compatible storage. Email and key-value storage are optional. The backend repository says that component is still in development.

The Free plan costs nothing and covers five supported platforms. Backend configuration documents Google, Apple, GitHub, Microsoft, and email as configurable sign-in providers. Its default settings allow six TOTPs for regular users and 100 for contributor users.

Who it suits

Open Authenticator suits people who want a free, open-source TOTP manager across desktop and mobile platforms. It may also suit technically equipped users who want to self-host its backend, provided they can meet the stated environment and storage requirements.

Limits

The default backend configuration allows six TOTPs for regular users and 100 for contributor users. Self-hosting requires Node.js, pnpm, a compatible database, and compatible storage; email and key-value storage are optional.

Getting started

1. Visit https://openauthenticator.app/.
2. Choose a supported platform: Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, or Linux.
3. For self-hosting, prepare a Node.js environment, pnpm, a compatible database, and compatible storage.

Verdict

Choose Open Authenticator if you want a free, open-source TOTP manager with syncing across mobile and desktop platforms. Look elsewhere if you need a backend that is not still in development or more than six TOTPs under the default regular-user configuration.