Google Authenticator vs Two Factor Authentication via Email (October 2026)
Updated October 22, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Authentication Plugins top 10: Google Authenticator at #4 and Two Factor Authentication via Email at #3. Two Factor Authentication via Email leads on 3 of the 6 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator for your WordPress blog.
Two Factor Authentication via Email
Two Factor (2FA) Authentication via Email
Enable one-click login with this WordPress Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) plugin, utilizing email for added security.
Who leads on what
Two Factor Authentication via Email leads on 3 of the 6 measures we track.
Two Factor Authentication via Email ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #4 in Authentication Plugins.
Google Authenticator has more users: 20,000+ active installs against 9,000+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Google Authenticator has 135, Two Factor Authentication via Email has 4. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
Google Authenticator has more reviews behind its score: 135 against 4.
Two Factor Authentication via Email was updated more recently, on October 21, 2026; Google Authenticator on August 23, 2026.
Two Factor Authentication via Email was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 11,376 times against 9,113.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Google Authenticator
Pick Google Authenticator if you want the plugin more sites already run or you want the score backed by more reviews.
Two Factor Authentication via Email
Pick Two Factor Authentication via Email if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the one shipping releases most recently or you want the one being installed faster right now.
Google Authenticator vs Two Factor Authentication via Email side by side
| Google Authenticator | Two Factor Authentication via Email | |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication Plugins ranking | #4 | #3 |
| Rating | 4.3 | 5.0 |
| Reviews | 135 | 4 |
| Active installs | 20,000+ | 9,000+ |
| Total downloads | 765,926 | 82,984 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 9,113 | 11,376 |
| Last updated | Aug 23, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 |
| First published | May 16, 2011 | Mar 15, 2023 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | – | 5.6 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Google Authenticator ratings
Two Factor Authentication via Email ratings
How we compare these two
Every figure here is pulled from the WordPress.org plugin API every day at 03:00 UTC, for both plugins in the same run, so the two are always read on the same day. We compare only what the directory reports: active installs, the rating and how many reviews stand behind it, the last release date and, once we have a month of history, downloads over the last 30 days. Ratings are only called a win above 50 reviews each, because a handful of five-star reviews is not evidence. Nothing is weighted into an overall score, no measure is worth more than another, and neither Google Authenticator nor Two Factor Authentication via Email can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Authentication Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Google Authenticator vs Two Factor Authentication via Email: common questions
Is Google Authenticator better than Two Factor Authentication via Email?
Two Factor Authentication via Email leads on 3 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Two Factor Authentication via Email ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #4 in Authentication Plugins.
Which has more users, Google Authenticator or Two Factor Authentication via Email?
Two Factor Authentication via Email ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #4 in Authentication Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Google Authenticator or Two Factor Authentication via Email?
Google Authenticator has more users: 20,000+ active installs against 9,000+.
Are Google Authenticator and Two Factor Authentication via Email free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Google Authenticator may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Two Factor Authentication via Email may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Google Authenticator and Two Factor Authentication via Email
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
More Authentication Plugins comparisons
- BaseCloud Shield vs Google Authenticator
- BaseCloud Shield vs Two Factor Authentication via Email
- Kadence Security vs Google Authenticator
- Kadence Security vs Two Factor Authentication via Email
- Duo Universal vs Google Authenticator
- Duo Universal vs Two Factor Authentication via Email
- Duo Two-Factor Authentication vs Google Authenticator
- Duo Two-Factor Authentication vs Two Factor Authentication via Email
- WPAuth vs Google Authenticator
- WPAuth vs Two Factor Authentication via Email
- Google Authenticator vs Limesnip Simple2FA
- Google Authenticator vs Limit Login Attempts
Weekly · free
What moved this week
One email a week, built from the same daily snapshots these rankings come from: the plugins that climbed, what launched, and one ranking worth a look.