Is Yubico Authenticator better than Stratum?

Yubico Authenticator ranks higher in our list of authenticator apps (#3 against #6, score 88.0 against 85.0). Stratum is best for: Android users who want encrypted local backups. Yubico Authenticator is best for: hardware-key users who want desktop and mobile access.

Which is cheaper, Stratum or Yubico Authenticator?

Stratum: Free and open source under GPL-3.0 for Android. Yubico Authenticator: Free under Apache 2.0; works with a YubiKey hardware key.

Do Stratum and Yubico Authenticator run on the same platforms?

Stratum supports Android. Yubico Authenticator supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.

Stratum vs Yubico Authenticator: Which Is Better? (2026)

85.0
Editorial score
88.0
1
Platforms
5
Yes
Free to use
Yes
Yes
Open source
Yes

Which should you choose?

Choose Stratum if you want

Android users who want encrypted local backups.

Android-only and open source under GPL-3.0, with encrypted backups and export you control. It has no iOS or desktop version, so it suits Android users who want local backup files over cloud sync.

Choose Yubico Authenticator if you want

Hardware-key users who want desktop and mobile access.

Open-source companion app for YubiKey keys, with desktop builds for Windows, macOS and Linux and an Android app. It is useful only with a YubiKey, unlike the phone apps above, and its iOS version is a separate app.

The main differences

Only Yubico Authenticator runs on Linux.
Only Yubico Authenticator runs on Windows.
Only Yubico Authenticator runs on macOS.
Only Yubico Authenticator runs on iOS.

Side by side

	Stratum	Yubico Authenticator
Score	85.0	88.0
Rank in list	#6 of 10	#3 of 10
Price	Free and open sourceFree and open source under GPL-3.0 for Android	Free and open sourceFree under Apache 2.0; works with a YubiKey hardware key
Free to use	Yes	Yes
Open source	Yes	Yes
Platforms	AndroidAndroid	WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Made by	Not stated	Yubico
Backups and sync	Encrypted backup and restore; export at any time	Codes live on the YubiKey; no cloud backup described
Best for	Android users who want encrypted local backups	Hardware-key users who want desktop and mobile access
Strengths	GPL-3.0 licensed, with source on GitHub Encrypted backups and export at any time	Apache 2.0 licensed, with source on GitHub Desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux
Limits	Android only, with no iOS or desktop version Backup files are yours to store safely	Needs a YubiKey hardware key The iOS version is a separate app
Links	Visit site	Visit site

Questions about Stratum vs Yubico Authenticator

Is Yubico Authenticator better than Stratum?: Yubico Authenticator ranks higher in our list of authenticator apps (#3 against #6, score 88.0 against 85.0). Stratum is best for: Android users who want encrypted local backups. Yubico Authenticator is best for: hardware-key users who want desktop and mobile access.
Which is cheaper, Stratum or Yubico Authenticator?: Stratum: Free and open source under GPL-3.0 for Android. Yubico Authenticator: Free under Apache 2.0; works with a YubiKey hardware key.
Do Stratum and Yubico Authenticator run on the same platforms?: Stratum supports Android. Yubico Authenticator supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.