Cybersecurity · head to head
Authy vs Polco
Authy
Cybersecurity
Twilio's free authenticator app with encrypted cloud backup, mobile only since the desktop clients were withdrawn in 2024.
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
The short version
- Only Authy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Authy there is no export function for stored TOTP secrets, so moving to a different authenticator means disabling and re-enrolling two-factor authentication on every account individually, which is the reason most users stay rather than a reason anyone should choose it.; Polco interface has a formal, academic tone compared to modern civic engagement platforms
- They diverge on capability: Authy covers Encrypted cloud backup, Polco covers Scientific Surveys.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Authy and Polco actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Authy
- Encrypted cloud backup
- Multi-device sync
- Standard TOTP
- Offline code generation
- App lock
- Multi-device toggle
- Token organisation
- Free with no account tier
Only in Polco
- Scientific Surveys
- Live Polling
- Community Benchmarking
- Priority-Based Budgeting
- Demographic Analysis
- NRC Surveys
- ArcGIS
- Social Media
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Authy
- An individual who wants two-factor authentication on personal accounts and needs it to survive losing or replacing a phonenot Polco
- A small team sharing access to a service account where the same tokens must be available on more than one handsetnot Polco
- Replacing SMS-based codes with TOTP for someone who would abandon two-factor entirely if recovery were difficultnot Polco
- Consolidating tokens scattered across several apps onto one device list with recognisable names and iconsnot Polco
Polco
- Citizen Servicesnot Authy
- Records Managementnot Authy
- Public Safetynot Authy
- Civic Engagementnot Authy
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Authy
- There is no export function for stored TOTP secrets, so moving to a different authenticator means disabling and re-enrolling two-factor authentication on every account individually, which is the reason most users stay rather than a reason anyone should choose it.
- The Windows, macOS and Linux desktop applications were discontinued in 2024 and stopped working, so any workflow that depended on copying codes on a computer now requires a phone in hand, and users who held tokens only on a desktop client had to restore from backup or re-enrol.
- The account is keyed to a phone number, so an attacker who takes over that number through a SIM swap can begin the device registration flow, and the only remaining control is the backup password that most users set once and cannot recall.
- In 2024 an unauthenticated Twilio endpoint allowed attackers to confirm which numbers from a supplied list were registered Authy accounts, exposing around 33 million phone numbers, which disclosed no codes but handed phishers a validated list of people known to use two-factor authentication.
- It is a free consumer application inside a company that has already retired the paid Authy developer API it once supported, so it carries no revenue of its own, and users should treat its continued existence as a business decision rather than a roadmap commitment.
Polco
- Interface has a formal, academic tone compared to modern civic engagement platforms
- Emphasizes surveys and benchmarking over open discussion forums and idea boards
- Pricing is custom quote-based without transparent pricing on the website
Pricing, plan by plan
Authy
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Authy review.
Polco
$300/month- Community Engagement$300/month
- Community Surveys
- Live Polling
- Benchmarking
Which should you pick?
Choose Authy if
- You need encrypted cloud backup.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want multi-device sync.
Choose Polco if
- You need scientific surveys.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want live polling.
Questions people ask
- Is Authy or Polco better?
- Neither clearly leads. Authy starts at Free and Polco at $300/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Authy or Polco?
- Authy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Authy and $300/month for Polco.
- Does Authy or Polco run on more platforms?
- Authy runs on Web. Polco runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- Can I use Authy for free?
- Yes. Authy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Polco starts at $300/month.
- What is Authy best used for?
- Authy is most often used for an individual who wants two-factor authentication on personal accounts and needs it to survive losing or replacing a phone, a small team sharing access to a service account where the same tokens must be available on more than one handset, replacing sms-based codes with totp for someone who would abandon two-factor entirely if recovery were difficult, consolidating tokens scattered across several apps onto one device list with recognisable names and icons. Of those, an individual who wants two-factor authentication on personal accounts and needs it to survive losing or replacing a phone and a small team sharing access to a service account where the same tokens must be available on more than one handset are not what Polco is typically brought in for.
- What can Authy do that Polco cannot?
- Authy covers Encrypted cloud backup, Multi-device sync, Standard TOTP, Offline code generation. Polco covers Scientific Surveys, Live Polling, Community Benchmarking, Priority-Based Budgeting.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Authy: Is Authy still supported?
The mobile apps for iOS and Android are still available and functional. The desktop applications were withdrawn in 2024 and the Authy developer API has been retired in favour of Twilio Verify, so the surrounding product has been shrinking.
Polco: How does Polco ensure survey data quality?
Polco uses scientific survey methodology through the National Research Center, with pre-tested survey questions and verification that participants live in the surveyed area to eliminate outside interference and bad-faith responses.
SourceAuthy: Can I export my tokens?
No. There is no export of the underlying secrets, by design. Migrating to another authenticator means going to each service, disabling two-factor authentication and setting it up again with the new app.
Polco: What's the difference between Polco and open discussion platforms?
Polco emphasizes scientific surveys and benchmarking over open forums or suggestion boards, prioritizing rigorous data collection for policy decisions over broad community brainstorming.
SourceAuthy: What happened to the desktop app?
Twilio announced its discontinuation in March 2024 and the applications stopped working later that year. There is no replacement desktop client; the mobile apps are the product now.
Authy: Is multi-device sync safe to leave on?
It is the feature most worth understanding. Leaving new device registration enabled means anyone who controls your phone number can attempt to add a device. The usual advice is to turn the multi-device setting off once your devices are registered and turn it on only when you need to add one.
Authy: What if I lose my phone and forget the backup password?
The secrets are encrypted with that password and Twilio does not hold it, so they cannot be recovered. You would fall back to each individual service's account recovery process, which is exactly the situation the backup was meant to avoid.
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