Cisco Duo vs Google Authenticator:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Google Authenticator had more branded searches than Cisco Duo among authenticator apps worldwide. Google Authenticator had about 1.2 million branded searches, while Cisco Duo had 12,100. Google Authenticator made up 65.4% of all authenticator app searches we track, and Cisco Duo accounted for 0.65%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about authenticator apps, Google Authenticator appeared in four of the five answers and Cisco Duo in none.
Who do people search for more?
Google Authenticator, about 101 searches for every 1 for Cisco Duo
Who does AI mention more?
Google Authenticator, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Cisco Duo in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Google Authenticator, the only one of the two named
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Top authenticator apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google Authenticator was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Cisco Duo did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Microsoft Authenticator5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Google Authenticator4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
2FAS4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Ente Auth2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Aegis Authenticator2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Authy1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Cisco Duo0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about authenticator apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which authenticator app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best authenticator apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best authenticator app for account security?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“authenticator app”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“two factor app”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Cisco Duo or Google Authenticator more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Cisco Duo and Google Authenticator by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven authenticator apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Google Authenticator, Cisco Duo. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Google Authenticator | Microsoft Authenticator | Authy | 2FAS | Ente Auth | Cisco Duo | Aegis Authenticator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 64.9% | 29.2% | 3.2% | 0.81% | 0.79% | 0.79% | 0.29% |
| Nov 2025 | 65.4% | 29.5% | 2.7% | 0.77% | 0.79% | 0.65% | 0.29% |
| Dec 2025 | 69% | 25.5% | 2.8% | 0.81% | 0.84% | 0.68% | 0.37% |
| Jan 2026 | 64.8% | 29.2% | 3.2% | 0.81% | 0.96% | 0.64% | 0.35% |
| Feb 2026 | 64.5% | 29% | 3.2% | 0.99% | 1.2% | 0.78% | 0.35% |
| Mar 2026 | 65% | 29.3% | 2.6% | 1% | 0.96% | 0.79% | 0.29% |
| Apr 2026 | 64.4% | 29% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.78% | 0.35% |
| May 2026 | 64.4% | 29% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.78% | 0.35% |
| Jun 2026 | 64.6% | 29.1% | 3.2% | 0.99% | 0.96% | 0.78% | 0.35% |
| Jul 2026 | 64.7% | 29.1% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.78% | 0.35% |
| Aug 2026 | 65.1% | 29.3% | 2.6% | 1% | 0.97% | 0.65% | 0.35% |
| Sep 2026 | 65.4% | 29.5% | 2.2% | 1% | 0.97% | 0.65% | 0.29% |
How has the Cisco Duo and Google Authenticator comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Google Authenticator was ahead of Cisco Duo in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Cisco Duo’s share of searches among authenticator apps worldwide moved from 0.79% to 0.65%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 14.8K to 12.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Authenticator’s share of searches among authenticator apps worldwide moved from 64.9% to 65.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.2M.
How did search popularity change for authenticator apps worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
Google Authenticator’s share of searches among authenticator apps worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 64.6% to 65.4% in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Cisco Duo worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 14.8K to 12.1K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Cisco Duo’s and Google Authenticator’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Cisco Duo
1 branded search term
- cisco duo
Google Authenticator
1 branded search term
- google authenticator
Other head-to-heads among authenticator apps
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