TOTP vs SMS Authentication

Developers should learn TOTP to implement secure authentication systems in applications, especially for user login flows in web and mobile apps where enhanced security is required meets developers should implement sms authentication when building applications that require enhanced security for user accounts, such as banking apps, e-commerce platforms, or sensitive enterprise systems, to reduce the risk of credential theft and phishing attacks. Here's our take.

TOTP

Nice Pick

Developers should learn TOTP to implement secure authentication systems in applications, especially for user login flows in web and mobile apps where enhanced security is required

Pros

• It is widely used in scenarios like banking, email services, and enterprise software to protect against credential theft and phishing attacks, as it requires both something you know (password) and something you have (a device generating the TOTP)
• Related to: two-factor-authentication, oauth

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

SMS Authentication

Developers should implement SMS authentication when building applications that require enhanced security for user accounts, such as banking apps, e-commerce platforms, or sensitive enterprise systems, to reduce the risk of credential theft and phishing attacks

Pros

• It is particularly useful in scenarios where users may not have access to more advanced authentication methods like hardware tokens or biometrics, offering a straightforward and widely accessible verification step
• Related to: two-factor-authentication, one-time-passcode

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use TOTP if: You want it is widely used in scenarios like banking, email services, and enterprise software to protect against credential theft and phishing attacks, as it requires both something you know (password) and something you have (a device generating the totp) and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use SMS Authentication if: You prioritize it is particularly useful in scenarios where users may not have access to more advanced authentication methods like hardware tokens or biometrics, offering a straightforward and widely accessible verification step over what TOTP offers.

The Bottom Line

TOTP wins

Developers should learn TOTP to implement secure authentication systems in applications, especially for user login flows in web and mobile apps where enhanced security is required