2FAS Auth vs Aegis Authenticator

Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

2FAS Auth

A free, open-source authenticator for iPhone and Android that needs no account and pairs with a browser extension.

Open source

Visit 2FAS Auth 2FAS Auth profile

Aegis Authenticator

A free, open-source Android authenticator with an encrypted vault, imports from other apps and automatic backups.

Open source

Visit Aegis Authenticator Aegis Authenticator profile

The short answer

Both are free, open-source, GPL-3.0 authenticators that need no account. Aegis is the pick for Android users who want a fully local encrypted vault with automatic backups and fine-grained organisation. 2FAS Auth is the pick if you use an iPhone, switch between iOS and Android, or want a browser extension that sends codes from your phone. The biggest difference is platform: Aegis is Android only.

2FAS Auth or Aegis Authenticator: our take

These two are the most common recommendations for people leaving Google Authenticator or Authy. Both generate codes offline, store tokens on your device, and import from other authenticator apps. Both are ad-free and licensed under GPL-3.0, so the code is open for inspection.

Aegis focuses on a strong local vault. Tokens are encrypted with AES-256-GCM and unlock with a password or biometrics, screen capture can be blocked, and it supports TOTP, HOTP and Steam codes. Organisation is a strength, with groups, icon packs, search, sorting and an AMOLED theme. Rather than a cloud service, it makes automatic encrypted backups to a folder you choose, which you can point at a synced location, and you can export plain or encrypted files at any time. It is available from Google Play and F-Droid, though some imports need root access.

2FAS Auth runs on both iOS and Android, with optional backup through your own iCloud or Google Drive or via encrypted export files. Its standout feature is a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera and Safari: you request a code in the browser and approve it on your phone, with the traffic end-to-end encrypted. There is no standalone desktop app, so your phone still needs to be nearby, and moving between iOS and Android relies on export files.

If you are on Android and want maximum control over where your secrets live, Aegis is hard to beat. If you have an iPhone, a mixed household, or you are tired of retyping codes on a laptop, 2FAS Auth is the more flexible choice.

Choose 2FAS Auth if…

People who want a free, account-free authenticator on both iPhone and Android
You need iOS and Browser extension, which Aegis Authenticator doesn't list
Free, open source and needs no account
Browser extension sends codes from your phone

Choose Aegis Authenticator if…

Android users who want a private, fully local authenticator with good backups
Strong encrypted vault with biometric unlock
Imports from most other authenticator apps

What is 2FAS Auth?

2FAS Auth is a free, open-source two-factor app from the 2FAS team. It works without an account, email or phone number, generates codes offline, and stores tokens locally, with optional sync and backup through your own iCloud or Google Drive, or via encrypted 2FAS export files. A companion browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera and Safari lets you request a code from the browser and approve it on your phone, with traffic end-to-end encrypted, so you do not have to retype codes. The app has icons for many services, groups, search and support for 16 languages, and imports from several other authenticators. The team also makes a separate password manager, 2FAS Pass, and accepts donations. The source code for both the iOS and Android apps is on GitHub under GPL-3.0. There is no standalone desktop app, so the browser extension still depends on your phone being nearby.

What is Aegis Authenticator?

Aegis is the authenticator many privacy-minded Android users recommend. Your tokens live in an encrypted vault (AES-256-GCM) that unlocks with a password or biometrics, and screen capture can be blocked. It supports TOTP, HOTP and Steam codes, and can import from a long list of other apps, including Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, 2FAS, FreeOTP and andOTP, although some imports need root access. Organisation is a strength: groups, custom or automatic icons, icon packs, search, sorting and several themes including a true black AMOLED mode. Instead of a cloud service, Aegis makes automatic encrypted backups to a folder of your choosing, which you can point at a synced location, and you can export plain or encrypted files at any time. It is free with no ads, licensed under GPL-3.0, and available from Google Play and F-Droid. The catch is the platform: it is Android only, with no iOS, desktop or browser versions, so people who need codes on several devices must look elsewhere.

Side by side

Attribute	2FAS Auth	Aegis Authenticator
Pricing	Open source	Open source
Open source	Yes	Yes
Self-hostable	No	No
Platforms	iOS, Android, Browser extension	Android
Best for	People who want a free, account-free authenticator on both iPhone and Android	Android users who want a private, fully local authenticator with good backups
Status	Active	Active

Verified facts, compared

Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.

Fact	2FAS Auth	Aegis Authenticator
License	GPL-3.0	GPL-3.0