Google Authenticator
vs ZeroAuth.
Both are TOTP authenticators. The key differences are in how credentials are stored, whether an encrypted vault is provided, and what happens to your data when you switch devices. This comparison is based on publicly documented behaviour of each app.
Feature matrix
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Google Authenticator | ZeroAuth |
|---|---|---|
| TOTP code generation | Yes | Yes |
| Works offline | Yes | Yes |
| Encrypted vault | No — seeds stored unencrypted | Yes — AES-256-GCM |
| Encrypted backup | Via Google account (cloud) | Yes — local AES-256 file |
| PIN lock on the app | No dedicated PIN vault | Yes — PBKDF2-derived PIN |
| Biometric unlock | Basic screen lock | Yes — Face ID / fingerprint |
| Secure autofill | No | Yes — native iOS/Android API |
| Local-first storage | Partial — relies on Google sync | Yes — local-first architecture |
| Password storage | No | Yes — encrypted vault |
| QR import / migration | Yes | Yes |
| Travel Mode | No | Yes |
| Telemetry | Yes (Google services) | No authenticator telemetry |
Based on publicly documented features · Reviewed May 2026
Questions
Migration questions
Can ZeroAuth replace Google Authenticator?
Yes. ZeroAuth generates TOTP codes using the same RFC 6238 standard as Google Authenticator. Existing TOTP seeds can be migrated using QR code import or encrypted file transfer. All services that work with Google Authenticator will work with ZeroAuth.
Is migrating from Google Authenticator to ZeroAuth safe?
Migration involves scanning QR codes from each service or importing a transfer file. The migration process occurs entirely on-device in ZeroAuth. No TOTP seed data is transmitted to external servers during migration.
Does Google Authenticator store seeds securely?
Google Authenticator stores TOTP seeds and syncs them to a Google account. The seeds are protected by the Google account security model. ZeroAuth takes a different approach: seeds are encrypted with AES-256-GCM on-device and are not stored in any cloud account by default.
Why would someone switch from Google Authenticator to ZeroAuth?
Common reasons include: wanting an encrypted vault instead of account-synced storage, needing a PIN/biometric lock on the authenticator itself, wanting local encrypted backups not tied to a cloud account, needing secure autofill capabilities, or wanting to combine TOTP and credential storage in a single local app.