July 2, 2026
Passkeys vs authenticator apps: what's the difference?
You may have started seeing the option to create a passkey on sites where you used to add a 2FA code. Both improve security, but they're not the same thing — and for now, most people benefit from having both available.
What a passkey is
A passkey replaces the password entirely. It's a pair of cryptographic keys: a private one that stays locked on your device (unlocked by your fingerprint, face, or PIN) and a public one the service stores. There's nothing to type and nothing to phish.
What an authenticator app is
An authenticator app doesn't replace your password — it adds a second factor on top of it: a rotating TOTP code you enter after your password.
How they compare
- Phishing resistance: passkeys win. A passkey is tied to the real website, so it can't be handed to a fake login page. A TOTP code can be tricked out of you.
- Availability: authenticator apps win. Almost every service offers TOTP today; passkey support is growing but still uneven.
- Portability: TOTP works the same everywhere. Passkeys sync through your platform (Apple, Google, a password manager), which is smoother but more tied to that ecosystem.
Which should you use?
Use a passkey wherever it's offered — it's the strongest and simplest option. Where passkeys aren't available yet, protect the account with an authenticator app. Between them, you'll have strong protection on nearly everything.