Authy
vs ZeroAuth.
The core difference is storage architecture. Authy syncs TOTP seeds to its cloud. ZeroAuth stores everything locally in an AES-256-GCM encrypted vault with no mandatory cloud dependency. This comparison is based on publicly documented behaviour.
Feature matrix
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Authy | ZeroAuth |
|---|---|---|
| TOTP code generation | Yes | Yes |
| Offline code generation | Yes (after initial sync) | Yes — always |
| Encrypted vault | Partial — Authy-managed | Yes — AES-256-GCM user-controlled |
| Cloud sync required | Yes — mandatory for setup | No — local-first architecture |
| Local-only storage option | No | Yes — default behavior |
| Encrypted backup file | Via Authy account | Yes — local AES-256 file |
| PIN lock | Yes | Yes — PBKDF2-derived PIN |
| Biometric unlock | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-device | Yes via cloud | Via encrypted backup |
| Password storage | No | Yes — encrypted vault |
| Travel Mode | No | Yes |
| Zero-knowledge model | No — Authy holds account access | Yes — no server-side key |
Based on publicly documented features · Reviewed May 2026
Questions
Comparison questions
What is the key difference between Authy and ZeroAuth?
Authy requires a cloud account and syncs TOTP seeds via Authy's servers. ZeroAuth uses a local-first architecture: seeds are encrypted on-device and never synced to external servers by default. Authy's cloud sync enables easy multi-device access but introduces server-side storage of credential data. ZeroAuth's local-first model eliminates that surface at the cost of manual backup management.
Does Authy work offline?
Authy generates TOTP codes offline once the initial sync has completed. However, setup and account recovery require Authy's cloud infrastructure. ZeroAuth's offline capability extends to all operations including setup and recovery from a local encrypted backup file.
Can I migrate from Authy to ZeroAuth?
Migrating from Authy requires re-scanning QR codes for each account or importing from a compatible backup format, as Authy does not export seeds in a standard portable format. ZeroAuth supports QR code import for each account individually. This is a standard limitation of any authenticator migration, not specific to ZeroAuth.
Is ZeroAuth more private than Authy?
ZeroAuth and Authy take different architectural approaches to privacy. ZeroAuth does not store any credential data on external servers — there is no server-side copy of your TOTP seeds. Authy syncs seeds to its cloud. Both claim encryption, but the key distinction is where the encrypted data resides and who controls the account access model.