Proton Launches Standalone Authenticator: Separating MFA from Passwords for Ultimate Security

Proton has unveiled Proton Authenticator—a standalone application for two-factor authentication (2FA), available across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It employs TOTP codes that refresh every 30 seconds, providing an additional layer of protection when signing into online services.

Previously, Proton introduced a suite of privacy-centric tools: Proton Mail, Proton VPN, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass. This new offering further enriches that ecosystem.

According to the company, Authenticator requires no registration, contains no advertisements, and employs no trackers. It operates entirely locally and is designed to function with any service that supports the TOTP standard.

The app reportedly supports end-to-end encrypted device synchronization, as well as export and import of TOTP keys—features typically absent from other mainstream 2FA solutions. Additional capabilities include automatic backups and app locking via PIN or biometric authentication.

Proton states in its blog that the source code will be released on GitHub in the near future, though the process may take several weeks to complete.

Developers emphasize that this new tool is intended as a transparent and user-empowering alternative to offerings from major tech corporations, which they argue impose limitations and obscure their inner workings.

TOTP-based apps are widely regarded as more secure than SMS or email authentication: they function offline, are less susceptible to interception, and their ephemeral codes significantly reduce the risk of data compromise.