Google Authenticator vs. IBM Verify vs. Symantec VIP

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Google Authenticator
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Google Authenticator is a mobile authentication app.N/A
IBM Verify
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
IBM Verify, formerly known as IBM Cloud Identity, is an identity-as-a-service (IDaaS) offering that aggregates dynamic user, device and environmental context to automate risk protection and continuously authenticate any user to any resource.
$1.81
per month per user
Symantec VIP
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
Symantec Validation and ID Protection Service (VIP) is presented as a user-friendly, cloud-based strong authentication service that enables enterprises to secure access to networks and applications without impacting productivity. Also included with VIP Enterprise two-factor authentication is Symantec VIP Access Manager, a single access point to protect cloud and on-premise web apps via Single Sign-On (SSO).N/A
Pricing
Google AuthenticatorIBM VerifySymantec VIP
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Google AuthenticatorIBM VerifySymantec VIP
Free Trial
NoYesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalOptionalNo setup fee
Additional DetailsSample Pricing Breakdown (NOTE: for competitive pricing per contract, please consult with your IBM Security Account Rep) Users: 5,000 SSO* -- USD 1.71 per user per month MFA* -- USD 1.71 per user per month Adaptive Access* -- USD 1.71 per user per month Lifecycle and provisioning** -- USD 2.01 per user per month Identity analytics** -- USD 2.13 per user per month * Single sign-on (SSO), multifactor authentication (MFA) and adaptive access pricing based on total active monthly users per use case. Costs decrease if users are active less than once per month. ** Lifecycle and provisioning and identity analytics pricing based on total users per use case.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Google AuthenticatorIBM VerifySymantec VIP
Considered Multiple Products
Google Authenticator
Chose Google Authenticator
Setup was easier and transferring between accounts is simpler in Google Authenticator when compared against Symantec VIP. The other features kind of are the same where both provide keys in offline mode and work seamlessly. Keys are refreshed every 30 seconds in both the …
IBM Verify
Chose IBM Verify
These tools provided similar functionality in multi-factor authentication and identity security, but IBM Verify offered stronger enterprise integration, compliance alignment, and reliability for our needs.
Chose IBM Verify
IBM Security Verify stacks up with Microsoft Entra ID better than SecurID due to categories in common such as, Self Service password resets, Multi-Factor Authentication, User Provision and Governance Tools, SSO, and IAM. SecurID not so much because it doesn't have that full …
Symantec VIP

No answer on this topic

Features
Google AuthenticatorIBM VerifySymantec VIP
Identity Management
Comparison of Identity Management features of Product A and Product B
Google Authenticator
-
Ratings
IBM Verify
8.8
52 Ratings
6% above category average
Symantec VIP
-
Ratings
ID-Management Access Control00 Ratings8.747 Ratings00 Ratings
ID Management Single-Sign On (SSO)00 Ratings8.649 Ratings00 Ratings
Multi-Factor Authentication00 Ratings9.448 Ratings00 Ratings
Password Management00 Ratings9.645 Ratings00 Ratings
Account Provisioning and De-provisioning00 Ratings8.544 Ratings00 Ratings
ID Management Workflow Automation00 Ratings8.447 Ratings00 Ratings
ID Risk Management00 Ratings8.745 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Google AuthenticatorIBM VerifySymantec VIP
Small Businesses
WatchGuard AuthPoint
WatchGuard AuthPoint
Score 9.1 out of 10
1Password
1Password
Score 9.2 out of 10
WatchGuard AuthPoint
WatchGuard AuthPoint
Score 9.1 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo
Score 9.4 out of 10
RSA Access Manager (Discontinued)
RSA Access Manager (Discontinued)
Score 10.0 out of 10
Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo
Score 9.4 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo
Score 9.4 out of 10
RSA Access Manager (Discontinued)
RSA Access Manager (Discontinued)
Score 10.0 out of 10
Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo
Score 9.4 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Google AuthenticatorIBM VerifySymantec VIP
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(50 ratings)
7.9
(47 ratings)
7.9
(11 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.0
(1 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.8
(7 ratings)
7.3
(16 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Availability
10.0
(1 ratings)
8.5
(21 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.6
(8 ratings)
8.2
(16 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Configurability
4.0
(1 ratings)
8.3
(21 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(8 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
5.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Professional Services
-
(0 ratings)
8.3
(5 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Google AuthenticatorIBM VerifySymantec VIP
Likelihood to Recommend
Google
Logging into my work accounts is where Google Authenticator works best. Also, I had a personal account get hacked. I had an account created to book hotels, but someone was constantly resetting my password. To prevent further hacking attempts, I set up Google Authenticator. I do not believe it would be appropriate for banking accounts.
Read full review
IBM
The software is a unified identity verification platform with robust identity governance systems and multi-factor authentication tools. Effectiveness of the product in privileged access management and real-time activity monitoring. IBM Verify is very affordable and supports single sign-on in the cloud. It has a steep learning curve.
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Broadcom
Symantec VIP is best suited in environments where you need two factor authentication. As explained before, Symantec VIP is super easy to use and manage for our users across our entire organization. If you have your users using a virtual private network, Symantec VIP is the way to go; no doubt about it!
Read full review
Pros
Google
  • One strength is in how it checks identity to stop unwanted people from getting access.
  • Another strength is in cutting down on the frustration of users for the authentication process.
  • With the pandemic and needing to work away from the office it also provided additional security in keeping our network/infrastructure safe.
Read full review
IBM
  • IBM Security Verify provides comprehensive identity and access management (IAM) capabilities.
  • IBM Security Verify provides multi-factor authentication (MFA) capabilities.
  • IBM Security Verify provides robust identity and access governance capabilities.
  • IBM Security Verify provides comprehensive auditing capabilities.
  • IBM Security Verify provides a comprehensive platform for managing and protecting privileged accounts.
Read full review
Broadcom
  • The UI is intuitive and simple to use and navigate. When generating a secure token to be used for VPN access, all the navigation is clear and intuitive. There is no confusion when our users use Symantec VIP.
  • Every generated token expires after 30-60 seconds, thus providing an extra layer of security and reducing any risk of someone re-using a token or pin to gain unauthorized access into our system.
  • The app is super responsive and has no lag and little to no latency. Everything loads quickly and is super speedy.
  • Our department can opt for a 6 digit code which we can use while logging in on different sites and SSO access can be easily set up and achieved with this tool.
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Cons
Google
  • I once performed a factory reset of my smartphone which had Google Authenticator. I didn't have a backup for the device. When I restored my phone with the same google account, I was not able to restore the authenticator app settings. I had to add all the keys back into the app to use it. This is cumbersome, but I understand it is set up this way for security reasons.
  • I don't like the ease with which it lets you delete a key. If I accidentally delete a key, I am doomed to get my 2FA key reset, unless I still have the QR code saved somewhere.
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IBM
  • The mobile app can be a bit buggy at times if it gets fixed it would be great.
  • UI seems a bit old compared to modern tools out there.
  • There is a bit of a learning curve; if the developers can make it more intuitive it would be awesome.
Read full review
Broadcom
  • when setting a token to a phone call, the phone calls often take a minute + to call the user.
  • When Symantec's VIP app is removed or reinstalled on a phone, the credential ID will change, and that dictates a call to the helpdesk to allow the user access.
  • Temporary security codes while handy, must be set to expire immediately to stay secure.
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Likelihood to Renew
Google
It works as intended, easy to setup, free and gives you another level of security against any unwanted access or cyber attacks
Read full review
IBM
It works flawlessly, i have never faced any major issues with this. It has all the features such as Iam and security management. I think its a good investment and the benefits we reap from this software are worth the price.
Read full review
Broadcom
No answers on this topic
Usability
Google
It's as easy as opening the app and what I need it for is there. I don't have to fumble with other accounts or getting something else to open it for me. I have all the access that I need for the use of the app within seconds and I can get access to the info that I need.
Read full review
IBM
While setup and implementation takes work and time, the flexibility and possibilities make up for that in the long run. This is not a product you can just install and run, but if you design and implement your ruleset well, it will save you a lot of work afterwards. Just make sure that the systems you want to use it for have an existing and proven connector.
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Broadcom
No answers on this topic
Reliability and Availability
Google
In terms of availability, I had not experienced any issues with outages or the product not working when needed
Read full review
IBM
It has never let us down since its inception and installation. User credentials and secure access have always been guaranteed. Ironclad security (through single sign-on, MFA, etc.) has ensured that our user credential details are safe as is our information/data. The correct access is given to users, based on role-based access with segregation of duty and the principle of least privilege being deployed. The IBM support has also been first class and they have proactively resolved any minor issues we have encountered.
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Broadcom
No answers on this topic
Performance
Google
The performance of google Authenticator is good and I have not experienced any slow downs
Read full review
IBM
No answers on this topic
Broadcom
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Google
I have found Google’s support to be hit or miss. There are times when they are very responsive, and I get my issue resolved quickly, and there are times where a response from them takes weeks. There is no in-between. But my support experience with this particular product is nonexistent because I have not had a problem with it yet. Hopefully, we do not have any problems with it either.
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IBM
The support team has always been the primary consultation base when we are faced by performance problems. From the deployment stage the team has managed to monitor the operation lifecycle and give best insights based on their observation. It works 24/7 to enhance productive service delivery to clients. The IBM Security Verify Support team has been the main player in the successful performance of this software.
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Broadcom
Great vendor support, along with a great product solution
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Google
It was easy to implement and it went very smoothly. No issues
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IBM
No answers on this topic
Broadcom
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Google
First, Google Authenticator meets the security requirements which should be considered "table stakes". Second, simplicity is critical. Many users don' understand why they are setting up MFA (or they just don't care), and so adding additional complications to their day-to-day is always challenging. When it is simple, it makes life a lot easier. Finally, trust (due to the brand name recognition, primarily) removes any notion of "what is this?" that the user may have from being required to install something on their personal device for work purposes.
Read full review
IBM
We conducted a comparison study between IBM Verify and Okta as well as Duo Security before making our selection. IBM Verify emerged as the perfect fit because its superior capability to integrate with our current system environment surpassed competitor security solutions. IBM Verify demonstrated superior reliability through its enterprise-class scalability and fully transparent auditing mechanisms.
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Broadcom
The Symantec VIP solution has a more easy implementation process, which makes implementation faster. The Prove Of Concept of the solution presents the best results compared with Duo. The final price charged was cheaper. Consultants that participate in the process get show to us in a more clear manner all scenarios where we can use the Symantec VIP.
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Contract Terms and Pricing Model
Google
No answers on this topic
IBM
The licensing terms were favourable due to their flexibility based on the size and purpose of implementation. The billing frequency is done on quarterly basis. The vendor team has enacted best user policies that gives the company the full control of this platform. It is cost-effective as compared to most security verification tools in the market.
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Broadcom
No answers on this topic
Scalability
Google
The product doesn’t have any features of tools that can help it scale
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IBM
No answers on this topic
Broadcom
No answers on this topic
Professional Services
Google
No answers on this topic
IBM
In the case of adjustments, we were often able to carry them out completely on our own and only used professional services for new requirements. Particularly in the case of access management, it is very positive that we usually needed IBM for a task in less than an hour and then developed the solution further on our own.
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Broadcom
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Google
  • More secure data = less worried about a data breach.
  • Takes longer to log in, and if I don't have my phone then I have to go looking for it, so it really makes it so that you can't be without your phone, which in certain instances is annoying or not possible and can hold up work time.
  • Everyone is willing to use the same program because everyone likes Google—makes it easier to manage.
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IBM
  • It has allowed us to securely store and access data which is hard to put a price on, but is of tremendous value.
  • It has performed well and we did not have to upgrade any of the current equipment that we had.
  • It has allowed us to branch out slightly and offer more mobile solutions both internally and externally.
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Broadcom
  • It was as easy to implement and manage as promised, so that definitely saved us time and frustration.
  • It allowed us to improve on our existing PHI and PII security measures.
  • Allowing secure access from remote locations, especially smart phones, was a huge plus.
Read full review
ScreenShots

IBM Verify Screenshots

Screenshot of IBM Verify (for CIAM) - Privacy and ConsentScreenshot of IBM Verify - Custom Application TemplateScreenshot of IBM Verify - Select Application TypeScreenshot of IBM Verify - Privacy Policy