Our verdict: Proton Authenticator is a simple way to get your 2FA codes on a Windows PC, with no ads, no tracking and no account required. Signing in to a Proton Account adds end-to-end encrypted sync with your phone. Without an account, backups on Windows are up to you through manual export.
About Proton Authenticator
Proton Authenticator generates the six-digit time-based codes that websites ask for during two-factor login. You add an account by scanning its QR code or typing the secret key, or you import codes from Google Authenticator, 2FAS, Aegis, Bitwarden Authenticator, Ente Auth or LastPass Authenticator. The app also shows the next code before the current one expires.
It is made by Proton, the company behind Proton Mail, and its code is published under the GPL v3. The app works offline and without any account. If you sign in with a Proton Account, your codes sync between devices with end-to-end encryption; otherwise you can export them to a file for safekeeping.
What it does well
- No account required. Add and use 2FA codes without signing up or giving an email or phone number.
- Encrypted sync. Optional sync across Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS through a Proton Account.
- Import from other apps. Moves codes over from Google Authenticator, 2FAS, Aegis, Ente Auth and others.
- Export. Saves your codes to a file, so you are not locked into the app.
- Next-code preview. Shows the upcoming code so you are not caught by the timer running out.
Who it is for
Good fit
People who want their 2FA codes on the PC as well as the phone, from an open-source app.
Look elsewhere
Users who want 2FA codes filled in automatically next to their passwords; that is Proton Pass's job.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free, with no ads or tracking
- Open source under the GPL v3
- Works without an account and offline
- Imports codes from most popular authenticator apps
Cons
- Encrypted sync and backup need a Proton Account
- Keeping 2FA codes on the same PC as your passwords weakens the second factor
How to install Proton Authenticator
Run the MSI installer and add your first account with the plus button. On Windows, either sign in to a Proton Account to turn on encrypted sync, or export your codes after setup and keep the file somewhere safe, because losing the PC without a backup means losing the codes.
Questions about Proton Authenticator
Is Proton Authenticator free?
Yes. Proton states that it is completely free on all platforms, with no ads and no tracking.
Do I need a Proton Account?
No. An account is only needed if you want to sync codes between devices with end-to-end encryption.
How is it different from Proton Pass?
Proton Pass is a password manager that can also store and autofill 2FA codes. Proton Authenticator is a standalone code app, which keeps codes separate from your passwords.
