Side by side

Phone-Free 2FA vs pi-authenticator

Both stand on authenticator apps. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Phone-Free 2FA

Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+2

Phone-Free 2FA provides browser-based TOTP codes with local encrypted storage and export options. Keep a usable backup: there is no central recovery, and the extension does not sync accounts across devices.

Visit Phone-Free 2FA

pi-authenticator

Free plan AndroidiPhone

pi-authenticator combines OTP and privacyIDEA PUSH authentication with token management on Android and iOS. Its free Apache-licensed distribution and migration controls make it practical for privacyIDEA deployments, while its purpose remains tied to that server.

Visit pi-authenticator

The facts

	Phone-Free 2FA	pi-authenticator
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Android, Extension, iPhone, Mac, Windows	Android, iPhone
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	Free or on request
Plans published	1	1
Maker	Phone-Free 2FA	pi-authenticator
Website	digitalhabits.org	github.com
On authenticator apps	#55 of 111	#59 of 111

Phone-Free 2FA: what it does well

Generates a new six-digit TOTP code every 30 seconds.
Stores account details locally and says it sends nothing over the network.
Offers encrypted backups and otpauth exports.
Touch ID is available on supported Chrome and Edge devices.

What to know first

No central passphrase reset or recovery.
No cross-device sync or team administration.
Does not receive push-approval requests.

pi-authenticator: what it does well

Supports HOTP and TOTP
Offers multiple hashing algorithms
Provides privacyIDEA PUSH authentication
Supports QR-code enrollment
Allows token locking and migration

What to know first

Designed for the privacyIDEA server
More secure enrollment is listed as a goal
Push polling requires the app to be open
No desktop platform is listed

Alternatives to Phone-Free 2FA Alternatives to pi-authenticator The whole list