🔐 Authentication & login Open source Privacy ★★★★★
Proton Authenticator
A 2FA app with encrypted backups—you can move from Google Authenticator
Overview
Proton Authenticator is a free, open-source TOTP app.
Official pages describe end-to-end encrypted backups and say you can use it without a Proton account. Import from other authenticator apps is also documented.
It runs on iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Scores
Privacy 5/5
Ease of use 5/5
Features 4/5
Value 5/5
Google Sign-In / OAuth — comparison
Google Authenticator often raises questions about account ties and backups. Proton Authenticator is officially free, open source, and E2EE-backed, and it can be used without a Proton account.
Pros
- ✓ Officially free, open source, and described as having E2EE backups
- ✓ A Proton account is not required
- ✓ Designed so you can move from apps such as Google Authenticator
Cons & caveats
- − A successful move depends on whether the old app can export
- − You still need your own recovery plan if you lose the device
- − A password manager with built-in TOTP may already cover this role
Best for
- People leaving Google Authenticator
- People who want a dedicated 2FA app with encrypted backups
- People who do not want a Proton account to be mandatory
Not ideal for
- People who already store 2FA inside a password manager
- People who only want hardware security keys
Specs
- Pricing
- Free — Free. Source: https://proton.me/authenticator (confirmed 2026-11-11).
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Data location
- If you use a Proton account: Switzerland (Proton). Official materials say you can also use the app without an account.
- Platforms
- iOS · Android · macOS · Windows · Linux
FreeOpen sourceE2EE backupsNo Proton account required
Migration from Google Sign-In / OAuth
- 1 Check whether Google Authenticator (or your current app) can export
- 2 Install Proton Authenticator and follow the official import steps
- 3 Confirm codes work on a few important accounts before removing the old app
- 4 Store a separate recovery method
Setup steps
- 1 Install the official app from https://proton.me/authenticator
- 2 Import tokens if you are moving from another app
- 3 Enable encrypted backups
- 4 Confirm that a test account generates codes
Related on Amazon
Books and devices that may help your migration. Verify specs and price before buying.
- Accessories
YubiKey 5 NFC
Hardware 2FA when moving away from “Sign in with Google”.
View on Amazon ↗