SMS & Email OTP verification - Arengu Use Cases

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Frequently asked questions

How does an OTP work? How are OTPs generated?

Arengu generates a temporal code, consisting on aleatory characters or numbers. This code is associated with a reference (usually an email account or a phone number). This code is temporal and it exists only until the user validates their identity by entering the code where needed. One-time passwords can be sent through different means: via email, via SMS or even via phone calls. Depending on your business and the user’s preferences, you can choose to send one-time passwords to the user’s email or to the user’s phone.

What is an OTP? What does OTP mean?

OTP stands for ‘One-Time Password’. One-time passwords are a series of numbers or characters, generated automatically and sent to a certain user so they can verify their identity. One-time passwords are meant to verify the user’s identity, especially in sign-up, login or transaction processes.

Why should I use an OTP verification?

If you manage a lead acquisition site or if your business is based on a sign-up model, including an OTP verification system is a great idea to improve security, avoid fraud and get better, qualified leads.

OTP helps you confirm the user’s identity. Even though OTPs add one more step to a sign-up or login process, it also adds a considerable degree of safety both to your business and to your customers. SMS or email confirmation blocks bots and fraudulent accounts. Thanks to SMS and email verification, you can be sure you get real users -instead of bots or spam accounts- and security is reinforced.

Can I set up passwordless forms with OTPs?

Sure! Passwordless forms are an excellent way to onboard users without any friction. Still, at some point you will need to implement an authentication factor, and that’s where OTPs enter the scene. Sending an OTP to the user’s email or phone number ensures a reliable degree of security, plus identity verification. The frictionless process won’t be damaged, since the user can verify their identity later on.

What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?

Two-factor authentication (also known as two-step authentication) is a type of identity verification process, where the user has to prove their identity in two different steps. Given the increasing number of methods for hacking users’ identity, multi-factor authentication is a frequent method used in sign-up and login processes.

Generally speaking, passwords are the main authentication method, and they can be complemented with a second step to add an extra layer of security. OTPs can work as the second step in a two-factor authentication.

Can I use my own email or SMS provider?

Yes! With Arengu, you can send an OTP with some of the main providers, such as Twilio, MessageBird -for SMS- or Mailjet -for emails-, among many others. But, if you want, you can also use the ‘HTTP request’ action and build it yourself to use any other provider you need. You can tailor the whole flow to your needs.

Does Arengu support email templates for OTPs? Can I customize the OTP message?

Of course! If you want to send an OTP email with a branded style, or simply if you want to personalize your message, you can do so using Arengu. Just select your email or SMS provider and select the template you want to use.

If you don’t have a template or if your provider doesn’t support templates, you can also send the email with HTML content in Arengu’s editor.

Does Arengu support a native email address verification action?

Yes. Just add the ‘Verify email address’ action to your flow and select as many options as you want. You can block free email providers, temporal emails or email account aliases. You can also add any email account to a blacklist and a whitelist to personalize your flow as much as you need.

Pros and cons of email and SMS verification: Which is the best option?

Email and SMS verification are one of the best authentication methods there are. Both with SMS or email verification, the friction added to the login or signup process is minimal. Even though this adds one more step for the user, the simplicity of the verification process makes it an optimal method to add security without damaging conversion rates. But, which mean is better? Even though this depends highly on your business and your audience preferences, we offer you some highlights on each method.

Pros of OTP email verification

Email verification is frequently used, for several reasons. On one side, users are more likely to share their email address than their phone numbers. Since email addresses are already mandatory in a signup process, users may be less reluctant to verify their identity with this mean.

Another pro of email authentication is its price. Sending emails is way cheaper than sending SMS. If your business is on a budget, email authentication may seem like a better option.

Cons of OTP email verification

On the not-so-bright-side of email verification, we find security. Emails may suffer from phishing, viruses and so on. If the user account is hacked, the verification process will be affected.

Pros of OTP SMS verification

SMS authentication usually minimizes friction. Generally -especially in a mobile-first context-, the user doesn’t even have to leave the interface to see the OTP and enter it. Quick for your business, painless for the user.

Security is another bright side of SMS verification. Faking a phone number is much harder than faking an email account. User’s identity has one more level of ‘realness’ compared to email verification.

Cons of OTP SMS verification

Sending SMS is more expensive than sending an email. Plus, some users may hesitate before entering their phone numbers. This may affect your conversion rates.

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SMS & email verification with one-time passwords

Try an email OTP flow demo

✉️ Generate OTP

📱 Verify OTP

Why use SMS or email verification with Arengu?

Verify & qualify users

Reinforce security

Avoid fraud & block spam

Other popular use cases

User registration flows

Subscription payments

Passwordless flows

Multi-factor authentication

Approval forms

User qualification flows

Powerful alone. Better together.

Forms

Flows

Pages

Introduction to email verification flows

SMS OTP flows with Twilio

The complete guide to email OTP flows

Developer friendly

Frequently asked questions

Product

Company

Help

SMS & email verification with one-time passwords

Try an email OTP flow demo

✉️ Generate OTP

📱 Verify OTP

Why use SMS or email verification with Arengu?

Verify & qualify users

Reinforce security

Avoid fraud & block spam

Other popular use cases

User registration flows

Subscription payments

Passwordless flows

Multi-factor authentication

Approval forms

User qualification flows

Powerful alone. Better together.

Forms

Flows

Pages

Related guides & tutorials

Introduction to email verification flows

SMS OTP flows with Twilio

The complete guide to email OTP flows

Developer friendly

Frequently asked questions

Product

Company

Help