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Google Authenticator

By Ivan

Security & Privacy / Security Scanning & Malware Protection

Google Authenticator Review - In-Depth Analysis

Google Authenticator plugin provides two-factor authentication for WordPress using the Google Authenticator app.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.76/10

User Rating

4.3/5 (based on 135+ reviews)

Active Installations

20,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

The Google Authenticator plugin for WordPress gives you two-factor authentication using the Google Authenticator app for Android, iPhone, and Blackberry.

If you are security aware, you may already have the Google Authenticator app installed on your smartphone, using it for two-factor authentication on various services like Gmail, Dropbox, Lastpass, and Amazon.

The two-factor authentication requirement can be enabled on a per-user basis, allowing you to secure your administrator account while logging in as usual with less privileged accounts.

For maintaining your blog using an Android or iPhone app, or any other software using the XMLRPC interface, you can enable the App password feature in this plugin. However, please note that enabling the App password feature will make your blog less secure.

Comparing to Alternatives

Google Authenticator is a straightforward two-factor authentication plugin for WordPress, focusing on simplicity and lightweight operation compared to other options.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Lightweight and simple to set up
Uses WordPress UI for integration
Does not add significant resource load
Effective basic 2FA functionality

Weaknesses

Lacks advanced features like QR code login
No official pro version or premium support
Some users report occasional login issues
Error handling could be improved

User Sentiment Analysis

User feedback highlights the plugin's ease of use and reliability, though some report technical issues and missing features.

Positive highlights

"Hi Ivan, thanks so much for the update! I’ve used this for years..." – Paul
"Great little app. Easy to use and install, does the job." – Elenbaas
"Works out of the box, simple interface without lots of bells and whistles." – jjbbrr
"Works! Uses WordPress UI, is super lightweight, not overdesigned, and is trivial to set up." – Bart Bak
"Great plugin, but I wish to use a QR code for scanning when I log in." – Trần Quân

Common complaints

Plugin stopped working for some users causing login failures
Lack of QR code scanning feature
Error handling for token synchronization issues
No official support or updates for bugs

Weaknesses

Occasional fatal errors reported by users
No built-in recovery or reset options after re-install

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a lightweight, no-frills two-factor authentication solution integrated with WordPress UI will find this plugin suitable.

Not ideal for

Those needing advanced features like QR code login, premium support, or frequent updates may find this plugin lacking.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers basic two-factor authentication functionality with easy setup and minimal resource usage.

Final Verdict

Google Authenticator is a reliable and lightweight plugin that provides essential two-factor authentication for WordPress users without unnecessary complexity.

While it lacks advanced features and official premium support, it remains a solid choice for users prioritizing simplicity and minimal resource impact.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Google Authenticator plugin.

two-factor authentication

google authenticator

security

Screenshots

FAQ

Yes, you can enable the App password feature to make that possible, but notice that the XMLRPC interface isn’t protected by two-factor authentication, only a long password.