Freedom251 › Authenticator apps
WinAuth
by WinAuth
What WinAuth is
WinAuth is a portable, open-source Windows authenticator from WinAuth, founded in 2010. It generates time-based RFC 6238 (TOTP) and counter-based HOTP codes. Supported services include Battle.net games, Guild Wars 2, Glyph, RuneScape, WildStar, SWTOR, Steam, and Bitcoin trading websites. Steam support includes Steam Guard codes and trade confirmations. Multiple authenticators can appear together, with codes refreshed automatically or when requested. Data can be protected by a password, locked to a Windows machine or account, or secured with a YubiKey. Individual authenticators may also have extra passwords. WinAuth supports UriKeyFormat and imports from Authenticator Plus for Android. Authenticator information is stored locally by default in the user’s roaming profile, rather than sent to third-party servers. No installation is required, and it can run from any location without changing other files or registry settings. The project uses GPL version 3 or later. The stable build requires Microsoft .NET 4.5; a separate .NET 3.5 build is available for Windows 7. Its GitHub repository is archived and read-only, with version 3.6.2 listed as a beta release.
Who it suits
WinAuth suits Windows users who need TOTP or HOTP codes for supported services, including Steam. It also fits users seeking portable operation and local authenticator storage.
What it does well
- Free Windows authenticator
- Supports TOTP and HOTP codes
- Displays multiple authenticators together
- Offers password and YubiKey protection
- No installation required
What to know first
- Windows-only platform
- Repository is archived and read-only
- Version 3.6.2 is listed as beta
- Stable build requires Microsoft .NET 4.5
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Windows authenticator · GPL-3.0 | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
WinAuth combines portable Windows operation with TOTP and HOTP support for a defined set of services. Its local storage and several protection choices are useful, but the archived repository and beta release status matter when considering it.
Facts from WinAuth's own pages
- Author
- The README credits Colin Mackie as the author and gives copyright years 2010–2017. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Code type
- totp and hotp · winauth.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Compatibility requirement
- The README says the stable version requires Microsoft .NET 4.5 and provides a separate .NET 3.5 build for Windows 7 installations. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Data protection
- Authenticator data can be protected with a password, locked to a Windows machine or account, or protected with a YubiKey; individual authenticators can also have additional password protection. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2010 · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · winauth.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Import and export
- WinAuth supports UriKeyFormat and import from Authenticator Plus for Android. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- WinAuth is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later, with no warranty stated in the license notice. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Local storage
- The README says authenticator information is stored locally by default in the user's roaming profile and is not stored or sent to third-party servers. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Maintenance status
- The GitHub repository is archived and read-only; its Releases page lists version 3.6.2 as a beta release. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Multiple authenticators
- It displays multiple authenticators at once and can refresh codes automatically or on demand. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Portable use
- The README says no installation is required and WinAuth can be run from anywhere without changing other files or registry settings. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- WinAuth is a portable, open-source authenticator for Windows that generates time-based RFC 6238 and counter-based HOTP codes. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Steam features
- WinAuth supports Steam Guard codes and Steam trade confirmations. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- windows · winauth.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Supported services
- It supports Battle.net games, Guild Wars 2, Glyph, RuneScape, WildStar, SWTOR, Steam, and Bitcoin trading websites. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where WinAuth stands on Freedom251
- Authenticator apps#74 of 111