Google Authenticator vs. Microsoft Entra ID

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Google Authenticator
Score 8.6 out of 10
N/A
Google Authenticator is a mobile authentication app.N/A
Microsoft Entra ID
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Microsoft Azure Active Directory or Azure AD) is a cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) solution supporting restricted access to applications with Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) built-in, single sign-on (SSO), B2B collaboration controls, self-service password, and integration with Microsoft productivity and cloud storage (Office 365, OneDrive, etc) as well as 3rd party services.
$6
per user/per month
Pricing
Google AuthenticatorMicrosoft Entra ID
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Premium P1
$6.00
per user/per month
Premium P2
$9.00
per user/per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Google AuthenticatorMicrosoft Entra ID
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Google AuthenticatorMicrosoft Entra ID
Considered Both Products
Google Authenticator

No answer on this topic

Microsoft Entra ID
Chose Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Entra ID makes it so easy and seamless to manage an environment full of Microsoft apps, that it didn't make much sense to deploy another option. If we were heavily invested in the Google platform, then it might make sense to use a Google offering for SSO.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Google AuthenticatorMicrosoft Entra ID
Identity Management
Comparison of Identity Management features of Product A and Product B
Google Authenticator
-
Ratings
Microsoft Entra ID
8.6
86 Ratings
6% above category average
ID-Management Access Control00 Ratings8.884 Ratings
ID Management Single-Sign On (SSO)00 Ratings9.085 Ratings
Multi-Factor Authentication00 Ratings9.185 Ratings
Password Management00 Ratings8.281 Ratings
Account Provisioning and De-provisioning00 Ratings8.480 Ratings
ID Management Workflow Automation00 Ratings8.362 Ratings
ID Risk Management00 Ratings8.564 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Google AuthenticatorMicrosoft Entra ID
Small Businesses
WatchGuard AuthPoint
WatchGuard AuthPoint
Score 9.0 out of 10
Dashlane
Dashlane
Score 9.3 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
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
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Google AuthenticatorMicrosoft Entra ID
Likelihood to Recommend
9.2
(46 ratings)
8.8
(91 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.0
(1 ratings)
10.0
(3 ratings)
Usability
8.0
(2 ratings)
9.1
(4 ratings)
Availability
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.6
(8 ratings)
8.8
(18 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
7.5
(2 ratings)
Configurability
4.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
-
(0 ratings)
7.5
(2 ratings)
Ease of integration
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
5.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Professional Services
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Google AuthenticatorMicrosoft Entra ID
Likelihood to Recommend
Google
It is supported by virtually all cloud-based software applications for business. I am happy to allow users to use this in addition to other authenticators. Certainly, if your business is in the Google cloud it makes sense, but my approach to the remote/virtual work world these past couple of years has been structured flexibility. Leaving some choice up to the users for their own comfort, particularly when they are using their own devices. I cannot think of a scenario where it is less appropriate - perhaps where you run the risk of "app sprawl". I.e., where you are requiring users to handle multiple authenticators (which can happen with certain pieces of hardware) you may want to encourage consolidation into one to avoid frustration.
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Microsoft
It is well suited for creating and updating and deleting employee attributes through Azure AD provisioning. But there can be some scenarios such as installation of provisioning agent documentation can be improved with proper screenshots. This will help consultants better in further implementations in future. The integration perspective is good but still the documentation available has scope of improvement.
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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.
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Microsoft
  • Microsoft Entra ID's biometric authentication improves security and streamlines user access through facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, which are reliable and practical.
  • Users can easily confirm their identities using biometrics, smart cards, or PINs, increasing security without disrupting business operations.
  • Microsoft Entra ID provides us with a thorough security comprehension by allowing us to effectively manage user identities, regulate access entitlements, and track authentication events.
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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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Microsoft
  • Support has been less responsive than we'd like. Sometimes, responses/callbacks can take days.
  • There seem to be some credential conflicts with users who had "personal" accounts in the past using the same email address.
  • Would like more options for chat-based troubleshooting, rather than phone or email.
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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
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Microsoft
It has been an essential tool and we have had very few problems using it. Nothing comes close that I have seen, though given how well it has worked out for us I really don't look very hard. The value is extremely high when you consider you get Microsoft Entra ID and the rest of the Microsoft 365 platform for one price.
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Usability
Google
I have not faced any technical challenge personally using this application. It's very lightweight and doesn't require many system resources on your mobile device.
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Microsoft
Easy rollout across organizations, accessible from any device securely, and easy integration with Microsoft products and its services. Microsoft technical consulting services and team helps an organization to connect all dots which make Organization IT professionals' life easier. Easy to use hence adaption is faster and no major training needs to conduct for users.
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Reliability and Availability
Google
In terms of availability, I had not experienced any issues with outages or the product not working when needed
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Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Performance
Google
The performance of google Authenticator is good and I have not experienced any slow downs
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Microsoft
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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Microsoft
Microsoft has offered Azure Active Directory as a solution for a couple of decades now, so they have seen and anticipated almost any issue that an organization may face and can therefore help. The cloud offering of Azure Active Directory offers some additional "self healing" or monitoring services that can minimize the need for a service call. However, as with most large companies supporting a fast growing market, there may be some gaps in service knowledge (and particularly processing) from the front line / tier one staff as they follow a corporate script at first contact.
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Implementation Rating
Google
It was easy to implement and it went very smoothly. No issues
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Microsoft
Make sure you use a good partner. Our implementation was a bit longer and more problematic than we expected. Our partner got it done, but, in my opinion, some of their inexperience and staffing issues were evident.
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Alternatives Considered
Google
We deploy Google Authenticator in residential and non-managed client scenarios. Google Authenticator can perform the basic functions needed for multi-factor authentication but lacks the more advanced features of solutions like Cisco's Secure Access by Duo. Google Authenticator is our go-to solution for anyone ready to increase their security but struggling to find the necessary technology budget.
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Microsoft
Microsoft seems to be the better service for cloud identity syncing and is still a leader in this realm. Their service is reliable, and we use it with all of our clients. Compared to Okta, the cost is more affordable and they include a lot of services in the Microsoft licensing plans. This makes it the better option for most cases.
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Contract Terms and Pricing Model
Google
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
The features are getting addresses per requirements and their value for Money. The proposed ROI and actual ROI build confidence.
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Scalability
Google
The product doesn’t have any features of tools that can help it scale
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Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Professional Services
Google
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
Microsoft Professional Services' technical knowledge is appreciable as consultants design the solution as per customer requirements. Mapping of features per user specifications and assisting Customer IT engineers to implement so they can manage and administer the services.
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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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Microsoft
  • I believe that the reduction in requests for lost access passwords has been considerably reduced by 20%.
  • There has been an increase in the productivity of each user who has used Entra ID; what these types of programs do is act as a motivator for users so that they can work more comfortably and avoid procrastinating.
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ScreenShots