authenticator vs node-2fa vs notp vs otplib vs qrcode vs speakeasy
Two-Factor Authentication Libraries
authenticatornode-2fanotpotplibqrcodespeakeasySimilar Packages:

Two-Factor Authentication Libraries

These libraries provide mechanisms for implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) in web applications, enhancing security by requiring users to provide two forms of verification before accessing their accounts. They support various methods of generating and validating time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs), QR code generation for easy setup, and integration with existing authentication systems. Each library has its unique features, making them suitable for different use cases and developer preferences.

Npm Package Weekly Downloads Trend

3 Years

Github Stars Ranking

Stat Detail

Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
authenticator0---8 years ago(MIT or Apache-2.0)
node-2fa022118.8 kB20-Apache-2.0
notp0689-2311 years ago-
otplib02,216524 kB24 days agoMIT
qrcode08,076135 kB1222 years agoMIT
speakeasy02,755-6610 years agoMIT

Feature Comparison: authenticator vs node-2fa vs notp vs otplib vs qrcode vs speakeasy

TOTP Support

  • authenticator:

    Authenticator provides basic TOTP support, allowing you to generate and validate time-based one-time passwords easily. It is designed for simplicity, making it an excellent choice for straightforward 2FA implementations.

  • node-2fa:

    Node-2fa supports both TOTP and HOTP, offering flexibility in authentication methods. It allows developers to choose the most suitable approach for their applications, making it versatile for various use cases.

  • notp:

    Notp focuses exclusively on TOTP, providing a lightweight solution for generating and validating one-time passwords. It is ideal for developers who want a minimalistic library without extra features.

  • otplib:

    Otplib offers comprehensive TOTP support with additional features like custom time intervals and algorithm options. It is suitable for applications that require advanced TOTP configurations and flexibility.

  • qrcode:

    Qrcode does not provide TOTP support directly but can be used in conjunction with other libraries to generate QR codes for TOTP secrets, facilitating easy user setup for 2FA.

  • speakeasy:

    Speakeasy provides robust TOTP support with various customization options, making it suitable for applications that require detailed control over the authentication process.

HOTP Support

  • authenticator:

    Authenticator does not support HOTP, focusing solely on TOTP functionality for time-based passwords, which may limit its use in scenarios requiring event-based one-time passwords.

  • node-2fa:

    Node-2fa supports HOTP in addition to TOTP, allowing developers to implement both time-based and event-based one-time passwords, providing greater flexibility in authentication methods.

  • notp:

    Notp does not support HOTP, as it is designed specifically for TOTP, making it less versatile for applications that may benefit from event-based authentication.

  • otplib:

    Otplib includes support for HOTP, offering developers the ability to implement both TOTP and HOTP in their applications, making it a more comprehensive solution.

  • qrcode:

    Qrcode does not support HOTP directly but can be used alongside other libraries to generate QR codes for HOTP secrets if needed.

  • speakeasy:

    Speakeasy supports both TOTP and HOTP, making it a versatile choice for applications that require different types of one-time passwords.

QR Code Generation

  • authenticator:

    Authenticator does not include built-in QR code generation capabilities, which may require additional libraries for a complete user setup experience.

  • node-2fa:

    Node-2fa does not provide QR code generation directly but can be integrated with other libraries to facilitate QR code creation for user-friendly 2FA setup.

  • notp:

    Notp does not support QR code generation, focusing solely on TOTP functionality, which may necessitate using additional libraries for QR code support.

  • otplib:

    Otplib includes built-in QR code generation, making it easy to create QR codes for TOTP secrets, enhancing the user experience during the setup process.

  • qrcode:

    Qrcode specializes in QR code generation, making it an excellent choice for creating QR codes for TOTP secrets, and can be easily integrated with other libraries for a complete 2FA solution.

  • speakeasy:

    Speakeasy includes QR code generation capabilities, allowing for seamless user setup of 2FA by generating QR codes for TOTP secrets.

Ease of Integration

  • authenticator:

    Authenticator is designed for easy integration into existing applications, with minimal setup required. Its straightforward API makes it accessible for developers looking for a quick solution.

  • node-2fa:

    Node-2fa offers a simple API for integration, making it easy to add 2FA functionality to applications. Its flexibility allows developers to customize the implementation as needed.

  • notp:

    Notp is lightweight and easy to integrate, making it suitable for projects that require a simple TOTP solution without additional overhead.

  • otplib:

    Otplib is well-documented and provides a clear API, making it easy to integrate into applications. Its extensive features may require more initial setup but offer greater flexibility in the long run.

  • qrcode:

    Qrcode is easy to integrate for generating QR codes, and can be used alongside other libraries to enhance the 2FA setup process without much complexity.

  • speakeasy:

    Speakeasy is designed for easy integration, with a comprehensive API that allows developers to implement 2FA quickly and efficiently.

Documentation and Community Support

  • authenticator:

    Authenticator has basic documentation, which may be sufficient for simple use cases but may lack depth for more complex implementations.

  • node-2fa:

    Node-2fa has decent documentation and a supportive community, making it easier for developers to find help and resources when needed.

  • notp:

    Notp has limited documentation, which may pose challenges for developers unfamiliar with TOTP implementation, but its simplicity can mitigate this issue.

  • otplib:

    Otplib boasts extensive documentation and a strong community, providing ample resources for developers to implement and troubleshoot 2FA effectively.

  • qrcode:

    Qrcode has good documentation, making it easy for developers to understand how to generate QR codes for various use cases.

  • speakeasy:

    Speakeasy offers comprehensive documentation and a robust community, ensuring developers have access to resources and support for implementing 2FA.

How to Choose: authenticator vs node-2fa vs notp vs otplib vs qrcode vs speakeasy

  • authenticator:

    Choose authenticator if you need a straightforward solution for generating and validating TOTP codes with minimal dependencies. It is easy to integrate and provides basic functionality for 2FA without additional complexity.

  • node-2fa:

    Select node-2fa if you require a library that supports both TOTP and HMAC-based one-time passwords (HOTP). This package is suitable for projects that need flexibility in authentication methods and want to manage user secrets securely.

  • notp:

    Opt for notp if you are looking for a lightweight library focused solely on TOTP generation and validation. It is ideal for developers who prefer a minimalistic approach and want to avoid unnecessary features.

  • otplib:

    Choose otplib for a comprehensive solution that supports TOTP, HOTP, and QR code generation. It is well-documented and offers extensive customization options, making it suitable for more complex applications requiring robust authentication mechanisms.

  • qrcode:

    Select qrcode if you specifically need a library for generating QR codes for TOTP setup. It can be used alongside other libraries to provide a seamless user experience when setting up two-factor authentication.

  • speakeasy:

    Opt for speakeasy if you want a feature-rich library that supports TOTP, HOTP, and additional functionalities like secret management and QR code generation. It is a great choice for applications that require a complete 2FA solution with added security features.

README for authenticator

Node.js Authenticator

| Sponsored by ppl

Two- and Multi- Factor Authenication (2FA / MFA) for node.js

There are a number of apps that various websites use to give you 6-digit codes to increase security when you log in:

There are many Services that Support MFA, including Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Digital Ocean for starters.

This module uses notp which implements TOTP (RFC 6238) (the Authenticator standard), which is based on HOTP (RFC 4226) to provide codes that are exactly compatible with all other Authenticator apps and services that use them.

Browser & Commandline Authenticator

You may also be interested in

Install

node.js api

npm install authenticator --save

command line

npm install authenticator-cli --global

Usage

node.js api

'use strict';

var authenticator = require('authenticator');

var formattedKey = authenticator.generateKey();
// "acqo ua72 d3yf a4e5 uorx ztkh j2xl 3wiz"

var formattedToken = authenticator.generateToken(formattedKey);
// "957 124"

authenticator.verifyToken(formattedKey, formattedToken);
// { delta: 0 }

authenticator.verifyToken(formattedKey, '000 000');
// null

authenticator.generateTotpUri(formattedKey, "john.doe@email.com", "ACME Co", 'SHA1', 6, 30);
//
// otpauth://totp/ACME%20Co:john.doe@email.com?secret=HXDMVJECJJWSRB3HWIZR4IFUGFTMXBOZ&issuer=ACME%20Co&algorithm=SHA1&digits=6&period=30

command line

# see help
authenticator --help

# generate a key and display qr code
authenticator --qr

API

generateKey()                               // generates a 32-character (160-bit) base32 key

generateToken(formattedKey)                 // generates a 6-digit (20-bit) decimal time-based token

verifyToken(formattedKey, formattedToken)   // validates a time-based token within a +/- 30 second (90 seconds) window
                                            // returns `null` on failure or an object such as `{ delta: 0 }` on success

                                            // generates an `OTPAUTH://` scheme URI for QR Code generation.
generateTotpUri(formattedKey, accountName, issuer, algorithm, digits, period)

OTPAuth Scheme

Note that ISSUER is specified twice for backwards / forwards compatibility.

QR Code

See https://davidshimjs.github.io/qrcodejs/ and https://github.com/soldair/node-qrcode.

Example use with qrcode.js in the browser:

'use strict';

var el = document.querySelector('.js-qrcode-canvas');
var link = "otpauth://totp/{{NAME}}?secret={{KEY}}";
var name = "Your Service";
                                              // remove spaces, hyphens, equals, whatever
var key = "acqo ua72 d3yf a4e5 uorx ztkh j2xl 3wiz".replace(/\W/g, '').toLowerCase();

var qr = new QRCode(el, {
  text: link.replace(/{{NAME}}/g, name).replace(/{{KEY}}/g, key)
});

Formatting

All non-alphanumeric characters are ignored, so you could just as well use hyphens or periods or whatever suites your use case.

These are just as valid:

  • "acqo ua72 d3yf a4e5 - uorx ztkh j2xl 3wiz"
  • "98.24.63"

0, 1, 8, and 9 also not used (so that base32). To further avoid confusion with O, o, L, l, I, B, and g you may wish to display lowercase instead of uppercase.

TODO: should this library replace 0 with o, 1 with l (or I?), 8 with b, 9 with g, and so on?

90-second Window

The window is set to +/- 1, meaning each token is valid for a total of 90 seconds (-30 seconds, +0 seconds, and +30 seconds) to account for time drift (which should be very rare for mobile devices) and humans who are handicapped or otherwise struggle with quick fine motor skills (like my grandma).

Why not SpeakEasy?

It doesn't use native node crypto and there are open security issues which have been left unaddressed.