Comparison

Semaphor vs Yubico Authenticator

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Semaphor

This app offers secure team communication and collaboration with end-to-end encryption and private blockchain technology. It provides features like direct messaging, file sharing, and project-specific channels for real-time teamwork.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Secure file sharing
  • Private direct messaging
  • Unlimited project channels
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Native offline mode
Features
Read full description

Semaphor combines the best features of collaboration apps and encrypted messaging apps. Your team can work together through team messages, direct messages, and file sharing. Semaphor is secured by the power of private blockchain and end-to-end encryption. Semaphor brings you and your team: › End-to-end encryption to protect every file and conversation › Fast file uploads › Secure file sharing › Private direct messaging › Unlimited, project-specific channels › Real-time communication and collaboration › Password-less account creation › Native offline mode › Mobile and desktop friendly › Enterprise and LDAP ready › Supports bots and integrations › HIPAA/FINRA/FIRPA compliant › Reviewable source code To find out more about Semaphor, visit our website or send us an email. We always welcome your feedback and suggestions. ----- Subscriptions: - Basic: Free 30-day conversation history - Standard: Unlimited conversation history and access to Standard channels. $8.99/month - Pro: Unlimited conversation history and access to Pro channels. Team admin pays for all team members. $8.99/user/month - Payments will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. - Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. - Subscriptions may be managed by you and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the your Account Settings after purchase. ----- By installing this app you agree to SpiderOak's: Privacy Policy, https://spideroak.com/policy/privacy-policy Term of Use, https://spideroak.com/policy/terms-of-use Service Agreement, https://spideroak.com/policy/service-agreement

About

Yubico Authenticator

Secure your online accounts with hardware-backed two-factor authentication. Store unique credentials on a physical security key, eliminating the need to store sensitive data on your mobile device. Generate verification codes without an internet connection for enhanced account protection.

Highlights
  • Hardware-backed security key storage
  • Touch or NFC authentication
  • USB-C support
  • Biometric unlock (FaceID/TouchID)
  • QR code setup
  • User presence verification
  • Smart Card support
Read full description

Store your unique credentials on a hardware-backed security key and take it wherever you go from mobile to desktop. No more storing sensitive secrets on your mobile phone, leaving your account vulnerable to takeovers. With the Yubico Authenticator you can raise the bar for security. * The Yubico Authenticator will work with any USB, Lightning, or NFC-enabled YubiKeys. * As iPads do not have NFC, they will only work through a Lightning or USB connection. The Yubico Authenticator generates a code used to verify your identity as you are logging into various services. No connectivity needed! Features include: Touch or NFC Authentication - Touch the YubiKey sensor or simply tap a YubiKey with NFC to a mobile phone that is NFC-enabled to store your credential on the YubiKey USB-C support - Connect the YubiKey 5Ci or any USB-C type YubiKey. When prompted, depending on the key, touch the contacts on the sides of the key or the golden ring on the top Biometric support - Experience greater convenience by unlocking your YubiKey with FaceID or TouchID Easy Setup - QR codes available from the services you wish to protect with strong authentication User Presence - New codes generated with just a touch or NFC tap of the YubiKey Compatible - Secure all the services currently compatible with other Authenticator apps Secure - Hardware-backed strong two-factor authentication with secret stored on the YubiKey, not on the mobile device Versatile - Support for multiple work and personal accounts Portable - Get the same set of codes across our other Yubico Authenticator apps for desktops as well as for all leading mobile platforms Flexible - Support for time-based and counter-based code generation Smart Card - Support for Apple's CryptoTokenKit Extension making it possible to use certificates stored on your YubiKey to authenticate with other apps and sites Experience security the modern way with the Yubico Authenticator. Visit yubico.com to learn more.

Screenshots

Semaphor3 screens
Yubico Authenticator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Yubico Authenticator at none against Semaphor's 1. Yubico Authenticator also leads on review sentiment (44% vs 15%) and ratings volume (268 vs 15). Semaphor's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Semaphor sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $8.99 per month. Yubico Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Yubico Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Yubico Authenticator has 268 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of Semaphor's written reviews are positive against 44% of Yubico Authenticator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Semaphor ships an update every 3 weeks, Yubico Authenticator monthly. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Semaphor versus Yubico Authenticator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSemaphorYubico Authenticator
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (15 ratings)3.7 (268 ratings) — better
Positive reviews15.4% of reviews43.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15268 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSpiderOak, Inc.Yubico

Customer experience

Semaphor

All ratings15 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive15.4%
Neutral38.5%
Negative46.2%

Yubico Authenticator

All ratings268 ratings
Positive64.9%
Neutral6.7%
Negative28.4%
Written reviews179 reviews
Positive43.6%
Neutral11.2%
Negative45.3%

Bugs and requests

Semaphor

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Yubico Authenticator

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • NFC not working reliably
  • Accounts disappearing after updates
  • Calculation of codes not working
  • Keyboard issues when using keys

Requested features

5 requests
  • Allow editing and rearranging of entries
  • Add support for multiple keys per account
  • Improve iPad/tablet support
  • Add dark mode option
  • Improve QR code scanning

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Semaphor

Subscriptions1
  • Personal Plan Monthly$8.991 Month
None

Yubico Authenticator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Semaphor free?
Semaphor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Yubico Authenticator free?
Yubico Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Semaphor or Yubico Authenticator?
Yubico Authenticator is rated higher. Semaphor averages 3.5 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Yubico Authenticator averages 3.7 from 268 ratings.
Do Semaphor or Yubico Authenticator have ads?
Neither Semaphor nor Yubico Authenticator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Semaphor or Yubico Authenticator?
Semaphor ships an update every 3 weeks, and Yubico Authenticator monthly. Most recently, Semaphor was updated on June 1, 2026 and Yubico Authenticator on September 29, 2026.

Other comparisons