# Google Authenticator vs Symantec VIP Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Google Authenticator excels in **ease of use** , with many users appreciating its straightforward interface. One user mentioned, "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to be able to use it," highlighting how intuitive the app is for accessing sensitive sites quickly.
- **Users say** that Google Authenticator's **setup process** is notably quick and user-friendly. Recent feedback indicates that the initial setup was very easy, making it a preferred choice for those who want a hassle-free experience right from the start.
- **Reviewers mention** that Symantec VIP offers strong security features, making it a reliable option for enterprise users. One user noted the "strong security" and "quick login code notification," which simplifies the authentication process without compromising safety.
- **According to verified reviews** , Google Authenticator has a significant advantage in **overall user satisfaction** , reflected in its higher G2 Score. Users frequently express their confidence in its reliability, stating it "always works in seconds," which is crucial for day-to-day operations.
- **Users highlight** that Symantec VIP provides a good balance of **functionality and flexibility** , particularly with features like the built-in copy button in the client. This feature enhances usability for administrators and users alike, making the login process smoother.
- **G2 reviewers report** that while both products are effective, Google Authenticator's **market presence** and user feedback suggest it is particularly well-suited for small businesses, whereas Symantec VIP is more tailored for enterprise environments, as indicated by the majority of its reviews coming from larger organizations.



| | Google Authenticator | Symantec VIP | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 582 | 44 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (44.0% of reviews) | Enterprise (74.4% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Google Authenticator

Pros:
- Ease of Use (40 reviews)
- Security (24 reviews)

Cons:
- Missing Features (7 reviews)
- Inadequate Security (6 reviews)

### Symantec VIP

Pros:
- Cloud Services (2 reviews)
- Ease of Use (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Delay Issues (1 reviews)
- Limited Customization (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Google Authenticator | Symantec VIP | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.4 (452 reviews) | 9.3 (38 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 9.5 (462 reviews) | 9.3 (38 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.5 (149 reviews) | 6.7 (6 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.1 (46 reviews) | 8.9 (6 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.8 (330 reviews) | 8.7 (28 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.3 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.0 (424 reviews) | 8.0 (35 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Google Authenticator

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Symantec VIP

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Single Sign-On (SSO)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Google Authenticator** | N/A | N/A |
| **Symantec VIP** | 8.4/10 | 6 |

#### Authentication Options

| Feature | Google Authenticator | Symantec VIP | 
|---|---|---|
| **Authentication User experience** | Not enough data | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 
| **Supports Required Authentication systems** | Not enough data | 8.9 (6 reviews) | 
| **Multi-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 
| **Supports Required Authentication Methods/Protocols** | Not enough data | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 
| **Federation/SAML support (idp)** | Not enough data | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **Federation/SAML support (sp)** | Not enough data | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 

#### Access Control Types

| Feature | Google Authenticator | Symantec VIP | 
|---|---|---|
| **Endpoint access** | Not enough data | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 
| **Local Access** | Not enough data | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 
| **Remote Access** | Not enough data | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 
| **Partner Access** | Not enough data | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 
| **Supports BYOD users** | Not enough data | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 

#### Administration

| Feature | Google Authenticator | Symantec VIP | 
|---|---|---|
| **Ease of installation on server** | Not enough data | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 
| **Password Policy Enforcement** | Not enough data | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 
| **Administration Console** | Not enough data | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **Ease of connecting applications** | Not enough data | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 
| **Self Service Password Administration** | Not enough data | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Google Authenticator | Symantec VIP | 
|---|---|---|
| **Multiple Operating system support** | Not enough data | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 
| **Multi-Domain Support** | Not enough data | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Cross Browser support** | Not enough data | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Fail over protection** | Not enough data | 8.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | 7.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Auditing** | Not enough data | 7.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Third Party Web Services support** | Not enough data | 8.0 (5 reviews) | 

### Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Google Authenticator** | 9.1/10 | 302 |
| **Symantec VIP** | N/A | N/A |

#### Authentication type

| Feature | Google Authenticator | Symantec VIP | 
|---|---|---|
| **SMS-Based** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **Voice-Based Telephony** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **Email-Based** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **Hardware Token-Based** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **Software Token** | 9.4 (243 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Biometric Factor** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile-Push** | 8.8 (212 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Risk-Based Authentication** | 8.9 (197 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Google Authenticator | Symantec VIP | 
|---|---|---|
| **Multi-Device Sync** | 8.8 (236 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Backup** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 

#### Implementation

| Feature | Google Authenticator | Symantec VIP | 
|---|---|---|
| **Easy Setup** | 9.5 (264 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile SDK** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **Web SDK** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 

### Risk-Based Authentication (RBA)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Google Authenticator** | N/A | N/A |
| **Symantec VIP** | N/A | N/A |

#### Administration

| Feature | Google Authenticator | Symantec VIP | 
|---|---|---|
| **Bi-Directional Identity Synchronization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Policy Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cloud Directory** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Application Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/multi-factor-authentication-mfa)


**Unique to Symantec VIP (2):** [Single Sign-On (SSO) Solutions](https://www.g2.com/categories/single-sign-on-sso), [Risk-Based Authentication Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/risk-based-authentication-rba)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Google Authenticator | Symantec VIP | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 44.0% | 11.6% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 35.7% | 14.0% | 
| **Enterprise** | 20.3% | 74.4% | 

### By Industry

#### Google Authenticator

- **Information Technology and Services:** 14.5%
- **Computer Software:** 9.3%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 7.5%
- **Internet:** 3.8%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 3.4%
- **Education Management:** 3.4%
- **Financial Services:** 2.9%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 2.7%
- **Consumer Services:** 2.5%
- **Higher Education:** 2.5%
- **Other:** 47.5%

#### Symantec VIP

- **Information Technology and Services:** 25.6%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 11.6%
- **Computer Software:** 9.3%
- **Financial Services:** 9.3%
- **Accounting:** 7.0%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 7.0%
- **Insurance:** 4.7%
- **Telecommunications:** 4.7%
- **Internet:** 2.3%
- **Medical Devices:** 2.3%
- **Other:** 16.3%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Google Authenticator

- [LastPass](https://www.g2.com/products/lastpass/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (2051 reviews)
- [1Password](https://www.g2.com/products/1password/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1802 reviews)
- [Cisco Duo](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-duo/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (517 reviews)
- [Auth0](https://www.g2.com/products/auth0/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (272 reviews)
- [Ping Identity](https://www.g2.com/products/ping-identity/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (123 reviews)
- [RSA SecureID](https://www.g2.com/products/rsa-secureid/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (111 reviews)
- [Twilio Verify](https://www.g2.com/products/twilio-verify/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (68 reviews)
- [YubiKey](https://www.g2.com/products/yubikey/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (35 reviews)
- [OneLogin](https://www.g2.com/products/onelogin/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (290 reviews)
- [Microsoft Entra ID](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-entra-id/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (911 reviews)

### Alternatives to Symantec VIP

- [Cisco Duo](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-duo/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (517 reviews)
- [Okta](https://www.g2.com/products/okta/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1244 reviews)
- [Microsoft Entra ID](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-entra-id/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (911 reviews)
- [LastPass](https://www.g2.com/products/lastpass/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (2051 reviews)
- [Keeper Password Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/keeper-password-manager/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1233 reviews)
- [1Password](https://www.g2.com/products/1password/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1802 reviews)
- [JumpCloud](https://www.g2.com/products/jumpcloud/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (3996 reviews)
- [NordPass Business](https://www.g2.com/products/nordpass-business/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (642 reviews)
- [Sift](https://www.g2.com/products/sift-s-ai-powered-fraud-decisioning-platform-sift/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (610 reviews)
- [Frontegg](https://www.g2.com/products/frontegg/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (364 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Google Authenticator

- Title: [How do I back up and eventually restore the authenticator app data?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-i-back-up-and-eventually-restore-the-authenticator-app-data) — 6 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi Virginia - sorry to hear you've had such trouble backing up and restoring your Google Authenticator. Google's Help Center has some information on signing..."
- Title: [What is Google Authenticator used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-google-authenticator-used-for) — 4 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "It is used to protect the account / services that support 2FA. "
- Title: [Is Google Authenticator good?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-google-authenticator-good) — 4 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Google Authenticator is a seamless and reliable 2FA method that gives extra security"
- Title: [What can you use Google Authenticator for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-can-you-use-google-authenticator-for) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "For security verification "
- Title: [How does Google Authenticator integrate?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-does-google-authenticator-integrate) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "It a timely password which a user will be asked to verify,  the google Authenticator generates the TOTP, which the user submits to the Service so  provider..."

### Symantec VIP

No discussions available for this product.

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-authenticator-vs-symantec-symantec-vip)