Last updated on March 26, 2024
Authenticating via an authentication app is an easy and safe method to access your account using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Passwords do little to help you protect your accounts against hackers. Daily data leaks and hacks make it clear that you need an additional layer of security next to your passwords. Authenticator applications such as Google Authenticator and Rublon Authenticator come with one or more authentication methods you can use as an extra layer of security to improve the protection of all your online accounts.
What Is an Authentication App?
An authentication app (also called an authenticator app) is an application you can install on your mobile device and use as an extra layer of authentication to sign in to your accounts.
Authenticator apps help you be more secure on the web.
What is Google Authenticator?
The Google Authenticator app is a very simple authenticator app that implements only one authentication method: TOTP Authentication. After you install Google Authenticator and enroll your account, the app will start generating one-time passcodes for this account. You can also add other accounts, as long as they are compatible with Google Authenticator. Google Authenticator will generate separate authentication codes for each account.
What is Rublon Authenticator?
Rublon Authenticator is an advanced mobile authenticator app that allows you to add an additional authentication factor in the form of one of the three available authentication methods:
- Mobile Push
- Mobile Passcode (TOTP Authentication)
- QR Code
To set up an account with Rublon Authenticator, you will scan the registration QR Code. When logging in to that account again, you will enter your password and choose your second factor, e.g., a Mobile Push authentication request will be sent to your phone.
The Rublon Authenticator app is available for Android and iOS devices. You can install it on your smartphone or tablet.
Authentication App Comparison Table
Let’s compare Rublon Authenticator and Google Authenticator.
| Rublon Authenticator | Google Authenticator | |
| Push Notifications | ✔ | X |
| TOTP Authentication | ✔ | ✔ |
| TOTP Codes Initially Hidden | ✔ | ✔ |
| QR Code Authentication Method | ✔ | X |
| Offline Mode | ✔ | ✔ |
| Android Support | ✔ | ✔ |
| iOS Support | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fingerprint Lock | ✔ (Android and iOS) | X (iOS only) |
| Face Recognition Lock | ✔ (Android and iOS) | X (iOS only) |
| Use With Third-Party Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tablet Support | ✔ | ✔ |
Authentication App Comparison: Rublon Authenticator vs. Google Authenticator
Here are the most important similarities and differences between Rublon Authenticator and Google Authenticator:
- Push Notifications. Rublon’s Mobile Push gives you a one-tap secure method of authentication. There is no Push Notifications functionality in Google Authenticator. (The Google Prompt is not a part of the Google Authenticator app and only works for Google accounts).
- TOTP Authentication. Rublon’s Mobile Passcode are TOTP codes that change every 30 seconds. Both authenticator apps can use this form of authentication.
- TOTP Codes Initially Hidden. For a very long time, all TOTP codes on Google Authenticator were visible right after opening the app, which was not very secure. Eventually, Google added the “click to reveal” feature. On Rublon Authenticator, you need to tap your account name to show a TOTP code for that account. This ensures high security and prevents shoulder surfing.
- QR Code Authentication Method. Rublon QR Code is an authentication method during which you scan a QR Code displayed by the Rublon Prompt to sign in to your account. Google Authenticator does not have such an authentication method. QR Code Authentication Method should not be confused with scanning a QR Code during an initial setup, which is a form or account registration on both apps.
- Offline Mode. Both apps offer an offline mode. Your phone does not require Internet connectivity to perform TOTP Authentication.
- Android Support. Both apps can be installed on Android devices.
- iOS Support. Both apps can be installed on iOS devices.
- Fingerprint Lock. Rublon Authenticator allows you to enable a fingerprint lock. Every time you open the app or want to perform an important operation, you will be asked to unlock Rublon Authenticator by scanning your fingerprint. There is no such feature in Google Authenticator for Android.
- Face Recognition Lock. Rublon Authenticator allows you to enable a Face Recognition lock. Every time you open the app or want to perform an important operation, you will be asked to unlock Rublon Authenticator by using face recognition. There is no such feature in Google Authenticator for Android.
- Use With Third-Party Accounts. Google Authenticator allows you to sign in to Third-Party Accounts. You can use third-party authenticators with Rublon MFA, too.
- Tablet Support. Both apps can be installed on a tablet.
Top 6 Rublon Authenticator Benefits
Here are the top 6 benefits of using the Rublon Authenticator app.
- Out-of-Band Authentication (OOBA) Compliance. Using Rublon Authenticator ensures a second independent communication channel, which abides by the requirements of Out-of-Band Authentication as defined in section 5.1.3 of the NIST SP 800-63B Digital Identity Guidelines on Authentication and Lifecycle Management.
- Mobile Push Authentication Method. Mobile Push is one of the most secure authentication methods, with only WebAuthn/U2F Security Key coming close to the level of security that push notifications provide. Push Notifications allow you easy, one-tap authentication without the need to type anything. In contrast to security keys, Mobile Push is free, making it a perfect choice for Two-Factor Authentication.
- Offline Mode. Lack of Internet connectivity on your mobile device is not an issue with Rublon’s Mobile Passcode. Rublon Authenticator generates a new Mobile Passcode every 30 seconds, even when your mobile device is offline. This feature may be useful when you cannot access Wi-Fi on your phone.
- Biometric Lock Feature. If you want to be extra safe, you can secure your Rublon Authenticator app with yet another layer of security. Turn on Fingerprinting or Face Recognition lock to ensure no unauthorized access to your Rublon accounts will take place when you are away from your mobile device.
- Multiple Devices Support. You can install Rublon Authenticator on two or more mobile devices and use them interchangeably or choose to treat the second device as a backup device. Rublon Authenticator works on smartphones and tablets with Android and iOS operating systems.
- Reduces Security Risks. Using the Rublon Authenticator app significantly reduces security risks associated with passwords, SMS 2FA, and Email Link Authentication. By adding more communication channels and security controls, Rublon Authenticator provides a streamlined, secure Two-Factor Authentication experience for all your integrated applications.
Try Rublon Authenticator Today (It’s Free!)
The Rublon Authenticator mobile app itself is free and available for Android and iOS devices.
To use the Rublon Authenticator, sign up for a Free Rublon Trial, and integrate at least one of your applications with Rublon.
