Authenticator App vs Authenticator by Hottub
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Authenticator App
Secure your online accounts with this app that manages all your two-factor authentication (2FA) codes in one place. It offers seamless syncing across devices, organized folders, and encrypted backups for peace of mind. Personalize your experience with custom icons and themes for easy account recognition.
- Manage all 2FA codes in one app
- Seamless sync across Apple devices
- Encrypted backups for code protection
- Organize accounts with folders
- Custom icons and themes
- iOS & macOS widgets for quick access
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Take control of your digital security with Sentinel Authenticator, the trusted way to manage and protect your two-factor authentication (2FA) codes. Fully compatible with Google Authenticator, Authy, and all other authenticators – making it effortless to switch or use alongside your existing apps. /// Why Sentinel Authenticator? • All Your Codes, One App – Store and manage every 2FA code in a single, secure place. • Seamless Sync – Keep your codes up to date across all Apple devices with iCloud Keychain (encrypted by Apple) or Sentinel Cloud with end-to-end encryption. • Organized & Accessible – Create folders for work and personal accounts to find what you need faster. • Never Lose Access – Encrypted backups protect your codes so you always stay in control. /// Personalization & Ease of Use • 900+ Custom Icons for instant account recognition • 8+ Themes & Layouts including Modern, Classic, Focus, and more • iOS & macOS Widgets for quick access to your 2FA codes /// Always Here for You Need help? Contact us at hello@getsentinel.io – we usually respond within an hour. Protect your accounts today. Download Sentinel Authenticator now and secure apps like Instagram, Google, Binance, Kraken, Robinhood, Discord, and Twitch. For further details, review our policies: Terms of Service: https://getsentinel.io/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://getsentinel.io/privacy-policy
Authenticator by Hottub
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Authenticator by Hottub is a free two-factor authenticator for iPhone and Apple Watch. It makes the one-time codes that protect your accounts, keeps your setup keys encrypted on your iPhone, and moves with you through encrypted backups. No ads, no tracking, and no account required. ADD ANY ACCOUNT THAT SUPPORTS 2FA Turn on two-factor authentication for any website or app that offers an authenticator app, then scan its QR code or type its setup key. Authenticator by Hottub makes standard time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), the six- or eight-digit codes almost every service uses. MOVE FROM GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR IN ONE SCAN Export your accounts from Google Authenticator, then scan the QR codes or pick the screenshots from your photo library. Large exports that span several QR codes are fine. You review every account on your iPhone before anything is added, and duplicates are skipped. FIND THE RIGHT CODE FAST Search by service, account or group, keep favorites at the top, and tap a code to copy it. A countdown shows when each code changes, and VoiceOver reads codes digit by digit. ENCRYPTED, AND HIDDEN WHEN IT SHOULD BE Setup keys live in an encrypted vault on your iPhone. Turn on app lock to require Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. Codes stay hidden in the app switcher, during screen recording, mirroring and AirPlay. BACKUPS YOU CONTROL Make an encrypted backup locked with a passphrase only you know, and restore every account on a new iPhone in a minute. Hottub can never open it. Encrypted cloud backup is optional when you connect a Hottub account. APPROVE SIGN-INS WITH NUMBER MATCHING Connect a Hottub account and approve Hottub sign-ins from your phone or Apple Watch. To approve, tap the number shown on the screen you're signing in on; a wrong number blocks the sign-in. Approving needs Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. Deny is always one tap, and "This wasn't me" reports a sign-in you didn't start. WORKS WITH THE SERVICES YOU USE Any service that offers "authenticator app" sign-in works, including Google, Microsoft, Proton, Amazon, GitHub, Dropbox, Discord, Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, X, Slack, Coinbase, Binance and your company's single sign-on. SHA-1, SHA-256 and SHA-512 codes and 30- or 60-second periods are supported. APPLE WATCH The Apple Watch companion shows Hottub sign-in requests and lets you approve one by tapping the matching number, or deny it, right from your wrist. Setup keys, codes and backups never leave your iPhone. HOTTUB DEVICES If you own supported Hottub devices, Authenticator by Hottub shows the exact operation, the devices it targets and when it expires before you confirm it with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. Your confirmation covers that one request only; safety checks stay on the device. PRIVATE BY DESIGN The authenticator works signed out and offline. Your setup keys are never uploaded unless you turn on encrypted cloud backup, and Hottub cannot read them even then. WHAT YOU GET - TOTP codes for any service that supports authenticator apps - QR scanner, setup-key entry, and Google Authenticator import from camera or screenshots - Search, favorites, groups, countdowns and tap-to-copy - Encrypted vault with optional Face ID, Touch ID or passcode lock - Codes hidden from screen recording, mirroring and the app switcher - Encrypted backup and restore to a new iPhone, locked by your passphrase - Optional Hottub sign-in approvals with number matching, on iPhone and Apple Watch - Owner confirmation for supported Hottub devices, with the exact operation shown before you approve - Free, with no ads and no tracking GOOD TO KNOW - Codes depend on your iPhone's clock. Keep "Set Automatically" on in Settings > General > Date & Time. - Turn on app lock if anyone else ever uses your iPhone. - Write down your backup passphrase. Nobody, including Hottub, can recover it. - Keep your services' recovery codes somewhere safe, as you would with any authenticator.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Authenticator by Hottub at none against Authenticator App's 4. Authenticator App's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Authenticator by Hottub asks for nothing beyond the download.
Authenticator App ships an update every 10 days, Authenticator by Hottub every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Authenticator App | Authenticator by Hottub |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (32 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 72.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 32 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tommaso Carpi | Hottub |
Bugs and requests
Authenticator App
Reported bugs
12 issues- Widgets not working on Mac Desktop and iPhone
- App stuck on loading tokens
- Syncing issues between devices
- Codes not working for specific services (Discord, Amazon)
- Unexpected charges/multiple purchases
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- Loading screen issues on iPhone 12 Pro Max (resolved)
- Paid features (dark mode) removed/changed
- Cannot delete items
- Cannot rename accounts
- Cannot edit accounts
- Cannot reorder accounts
- Inconsistent widget behavior
Requested features
17 requests- Ability to reorder/hide folders
- Sort accounts by email address or service
- Show duplicates
- Show date service added
- Backup options (more explicit)
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- Start on login option
- Ability to delete items
- Ability to rename accounts
- Ability to edit accounts
- Ability to reorder accounts
- Watch companion app
- More customization options
- Add password keeper in details page
- Improve widget functionality
- Add Chinese language support
- Increase account limit beyond two for free tier
- Easier export of all keys
Authenticator by Hottub
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Authenticator App
- Monthly Subscription$1.991 Month
- Annual Subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Year
- Lifetime Access2 variants$39.99
Authenticator by Hottub
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Authenticator App free?
Is Authenticator by Hottub free?
Do Authenticator App or Authenticator by Hottub have ads?
Which is updated more often, Authenticator App or Authenticator by Hottub?
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