WPThumbs
Themes Plugins By purpose By industry Best-of lists Fix it guides
Free Plugin by David Anderson / Team Updraft v1.16.0

Two Factor Authentication

Secure WordPress login with Two Factor Authentication - supports WP, Woo + other login forms, HOTP, TOTP (Google Authenticator, Authy, etc.)

Two Factor Authentication

The facts

Rating
4.4★ from 77
Active installs
20k+
Price
Free
Last updated
13 Aug 2026
Added
Mar 2015
Requires WP
3.4
Tested up to
WP 7.1
Requires PHP
5.6
Downloads
893,232

Our analysis

AI-assisted

Two Factor Authentication is a WordPress plugin that enhances login security by requiring users to enter a one-time code in addition to their password. It supports standard TOTP and HOTP protocols, making it compatible with various authentication apps like Google Authenticator and Authy. The plugin allows site owners to enable TFA for specific user roles and manage settings through a user-friendly interface.

This plugin is suitable for WordPress site owners looking to improve security for their users, especially for those managing sensitive information or membership sites. It is particularly useful for sites that require a higher level of security, such as e-commerce or user registration platforms.

Best for: This plugin suits WordPress site owners who need to enhance login security for their users.

What it does well

  • Supports TOTP and HOTP protocols for compatibility with multiple authentication apps
  • Allows TFA to be enabled on a per-role basis
  • Users can turn TFA on or off individually
  • Includes support for multiple login forms and plugins
  • WP Multisite compatible

Where it falls short

  • Premium version required for advanced features like trusted devices and emergency codes
  • Limited feature information provided

Verdict

Two Factor Authentication is a practical solution for improving WordPress login security, though some advanced features are locked behind a premium version.

From the developer

David Anderson / Team Updraft's own description of Two Factor Authentication, lightly tidied.

Secure WordPress login with this two factor authentication (TFA / 2FA) plugin. Users for whom it is enabled will require a one-time code in order to log in. From the authors of UpdraftPlus – WP’s #1 backup/restore plugin, with over two million active installs.

Are you completely new to TFA? If so, please see our FAQ.

Features (please see the “Screenshots” for more information):

  • Supports standard TOTP + HOTP protocols (and so supports Google Authenticator, Authy, and many others).
  • Displays graphical QR codes for easy scanning into apps on your phone/tablet
  • TFA can be made available on a per-role basis (e.g. available for admins, but not for subscribers)
  • TFA can be turned on or off by each user
  • TFA can be required for specified user levels, after a defined time period (e.g. require all admins to have TFA, once their accounts are a week old) (Premium version), including forcing them to immediately set up (by redirecting them to the page to do so)
  • Supports front-end editing of settings, via [twofactor_user_settings] shortcode (i.e. users don’t need access to the WP dashboard). (The Premium version allows custom designing of any layout you wish).
  • Site owners can allow “trusted devices” on which TFA codes are only asked for a chosen number of days (instead of every login); e.g. 30 days (Premium version)
  • Encrypt the TFA-generating secret keys using an on-disk encryption key, so that an attacker would need to break into both your WordPress database and your files in order to break TFA codes (as well as breaking a user’s password in order to use them)
  • Works together with “Theme My Login” (both forms and widgets)
  • Includes support for the WooCommerce and Affiliates-WP login forms
  • Includes support for Ultimate Membership Pro
  • Includes support for CozmosLabs Profile Builder
  • Includes support for Ultimate Member login forms (Premium version)
  • Includes support for Elementor Pro login forms (Premium version)
  • Includes support for bbPress login forms (Premium version)
  • Includes support for Easy Digital Downloads login forms (Premium version)
  • Includes support for RegistrationMagic login forms (Premium version)
  • Includes support for login forms from the Gravity Forms User Registration add-on (Premium version)
  • Includes support for login forms (shortcode forms only) from Paid Memberships Pro (Premium version)
  • Includes support for any and every third-party login form (Premium version) without any further coding needed via appending your TFA code to the end of your password
  • Does not mention or request second factor until the user has been identified as one with TFA enabled (i.e. nothing is shown to users who do not have it enabled)
  • WP Multisite compatible (plugin should be network activated)
  • Simplified user interface and code base for ease of use and performance
  • Added a number of extra security checks to the original forked code
  • Alert users if someone appears to have found out their password, as indicated by successfully entering a password but repeatedly entering an incorrect TFA code.
  • Emergency codes for when you lose your phone/tablet (Premium version)
  • When using the front-end shortcode (Premium version), require the user to enter the current TFA code correctly to be able to activate TFA
  • Works together with “WP Members” (shortcode form)
  • Administrators can access other users’ codes, and turn them on/off when needed (Premium version)

Why use TFA / 2FA ?

Read this! https://www.wired.com/2012/08/apple-amazon-mat-honan-hacking/

How Does TFA / 2FA Work?

This plugin uses the industry standard TFA / 2FA algorithm TOTP or HOTP for creating One Time Passwords. These are used by Google Authenticator, Authy, and many other OTP applications that you can deploy on your phone etc.

A TOTP code is valid for a certain time. Whatever program you use (i.e. Google Authenticator, etc.) will show a different code every so often.

Plugin Notes

This plugin began life in early 2015 as a friendly fork and enhancement of Oscar Hane’s “two factor auth” plugin.

Read the full description on the official page →

Tagged as

Alternatives

Other plugins for securing a site.

Really Simple Security

Easily improve site security with WordPress Hardening, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), Login Protection, Vuln...

Free 3M+ installs 4.9★ (8,862)
Wordfence Security

Firewall, Malware Scanner, Two Factor Auth, and Comprehensive Security Features, powered by our 24-hour team....

Free 5M+ installs 4.7★ (4,983)
Akismet Anti-spam: Spam Protection

The best anti-spam protection to block spam comments and spam in a contact form. The most trusted antispam sol...

Free 5M+ installs 4.7★ (1,186)
Loginizer

Loginizer is a WordPress security plugin which helps you fight against bruteforce attacks.

Free 1M+ installs 4.8★ (1,030)
Safe SVG

Enable SVG uploads and sanitize them to stop XML/SVG vulnerabilities in your WordPress website.

Free 1M+ installs 4.9★ (79)
All-In-One Security

Protect your website investment with All-In-One Security (AIOS) – a comprehensive and easy to use security plu...

Free 1M+ installs 4.7★ (1,715)