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Cybersecurity · head to head

Authy vs PyCharm

Authy logo

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Twilio's free authenticator app with encrypted cloud backup, mobile only since the desktop clients were withdrawn in 2024.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
Visit AuthyFull review
PyCharm logo

PyCharm

Developer Tools

The IDE for Professional Python Development

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit PyCharmFull review

The short version

  • PyCharm is a dedicated Python Integrated Development Environment.
  • Authy is free; PyCharm starts at $24.9/mo.
  • Only Authy lists encrypted cloud backup; only PyCharm lists fast and safe refactorings.
  • Where PyCharm falls short: exact pricing for Pro edition not available on homepage.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Authy and PyCharm actually diverge.

Attributes where Authy and PyCharm differ
AttributeAuthyPyCharm
Pricing modelFreeSubscription
PlatformsWebWindows, macOS, Linux
CategoryCybersecurityDeveloper Tools

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

Not yet recorded: founded for Authy.

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 PyCharm

  • Intelligent code editor
  • Smart code navigation
  • Fast and safe refactorings
  • Debugging and testing
  • VCS integration
  • Scientific development tools
  • Web development support
  • Database tools

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 PyCharm
  • A small team sharing access to a service account where the same tokens must be available on more than one handsetnot PyCharm
  • Replacing SMS-based codes with TOTP for someone who would abandon two-factor entirely if recovery were difficultnot PyCharm
  • Consolidating tokens scattered across several apps onto one device list with recognisable names and iconsnot PyCharm

PyCharm

  • Python developmentnot Authy
  • Data science projectsnot Authy
  • Web developmentnot Authy
  • Machine learningnot Authy
  • Scientific computingnot 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

PyCharm

  • Exact pricing for Pro edition not available on homepage
  • Community edition free but limited to open-source projects only
  • Professional edition pricing requires visiting buy page

Pricing, plan by plan

Authy

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Authy review.

PyCharm

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Intelligent Python editor
    • Graphical debugger and test runner
    • Navigation and refactoring
  • Professional$24.9/mo
    • Everything in Community
    • Web development frameworks
    • Database tools

Which should you pick?

Choose Authy if

  • You need encrypted cloud backup.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want multi-device sync.
Authy review

Choose PyCharm if

  • You need intelligent code editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want smart code navigation.
PyCharm review

Questions people ask

Is Authy or PyCharm better?
Neither clearly leads. Authy starts at Free and PyCharm at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Authy or PyCharm?
Authy starts at Free and PyCharm at Free.
Does Authy or PyCharm run on more platforms?
Authy runs on Web. PyCharm runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Authy for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 PyCharm is typically brought in for.
What can Authy do that PyCharm cannot?
Authy covers Encrypted cloud backup, Multi-device sync, Standard TOTP, Offline code generation. PyCharm covers Intelligent code editor, Smart code navigation, Fast and safe refactorings, Debugging and testing.

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.

PyCharm: How much does PyCharm cost?

PyCharm offers a free Community edition plus a Professional edition with a one-month free trial of Pro features included. Exact Pro pricing is available on JetBrains' buy page.

Source
Authy: 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.

PyCharm: Is there a free version of PyCharm?

Yes, PyCharm Community Edition is completely free. All new downloads also include one month of PyCharm Professional included free.

Source
Authy: 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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