Comparison

Optimal Authenticator vs Sticky Widgets

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

Head to head
About

Optimal Authenticator

This app provides a secure way to verify your identity for accessing other applications. It uses two-factor authentication via push notifications or verification codes, and allows organizations to register trusted devices for sign-in requests.

Highlights
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Push notification verification
  • On-app verification codes
  • Trusted device registration
  • Secure identity verification
Features
Read full description

With the Optimal Authenticator, quickly and securely verify your identity for access to all of your applications. Authentication features include: Two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security to your account. When signing in, after entering your password, you'll be asked to provide additional verification via the app. A push notification is sent to your mobile device to alert you of a pending two-factor verification request. Simply tap on the notification to launch the app and tap Approve to complete the verification. Alternatively, you may be prompted to enter the verification code displayed in the app. Device registration: By registering your device through the app, organizations can verify that the sign-in request is coming from a trusted device.

About

Sticky Widgets

Easily add customizable sticky notes to your home screen and lock screen. Sync notes across devices with iCloud and integrate with Siri and Shortcuts for quick access and updates. Personalize your notes with various fonts, colors, and styles.

Highlights
  • Home screen sticky notes
  • Lock screen pinning (premium)
  • iCloud sync
  • Customizable appearance (color, font, size)
  • Siri and Shortcuts integration
  • Multiple widget sizes
Features
Read full description

"It's perfect, honestly." - Myke Hurley, Connected "What makes Sticky Widgets great is the simplicity of the experience." - Ryan Christoffel, MacStories "This is a great concept." - Dave Mark, The Loop Welcome to Sticky Widgets, the absolute easiest way to put a sticky note on your home screen and edit it quickly. Add as many Sticky Widgets as you'd like, in every widget size. It's simple! It works on iPad! You can even pin notes to your Lock Screen with a premium subscription so they're visible even when your phone is locked! 1. Add a Sticky Widget to your home screen 2. Tap on the widget to edit it 3. That's about it! But that's not all. Once you have a widget in place, you can customize it: change color, background, font, alignment, size, even rotation! And your widgets now sync to your iCloud account, meaning you can put a note on multiple devices logged into the same Apple ID and they'll stay in sync. Sticky Widgets supports deep system integration with Siri, Shortcuts, the Dynamic Island, and more so there are even more ways to view and update your notes and lists. Sticky Widgets is free to download and use. You get unlimited widgets, three classic background colors, three fonts, iCloud sync, Siri and Shortcuts integration, and full control over alignment, size, and rotation: all without paying a thing. An optional upgrade unlocks everything else: the full color picker with any color you want, gradients and mesh gradients, hundreds of additional fonts, custom text colors, Lock Screen pinning, separate styling for light and dark mode, saved presets, the ability to restore archived notes, scheduled reminders, and no ads. Premium features can be accessed with a monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription, or with a one-time purchase. The Sticky Widgets Terms of Use and Privacy Policy can be found at https://www.tylerhillsman.com/privacy-sw/. The Apple EULA can be found at https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Optimal Authenticator4 screens
Sticky Widgets4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sticky Widgets at 4.6 against Optimal Authenticator's 3.0. Sticky Widgets also leads on review sentiment (40% vs 0%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). Optimal Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, 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. Sticky Widgets sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Optimal Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sticky Widgets holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sticky Widgets has 30K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Optimal Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 40% of Sticky Widgets's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Optimal Authenticator ships an update every 3 months, Sticky Widgets every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Optimal Authenticator versus Sticky Widgets: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOptimal AuthenticatorSticky Widgets
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (4 ratings)4.6 (30K ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews40.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings430K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB96 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOptimal IdM1881 Digital, LLC

Customer experience

Optimal Authenticator

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Sticky Widgets

All ratings29,623 ratings
Positive88.8%
Neutral4.0%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews931 reviews
Positive40.3%
Neutral11.0%
Negative48.8%

Bugs and requests

Optimal Authenticator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Sticky Widgets

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Notes randomly disappearing
  • Editing issues where changes don't save
  • Widgets not updating properly
  • Crashes and freezes after recent updates

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add checklist functionality
  • Improve syncing across devices
  • Allow rearranging of notes
  • Provide better note organization options
  • Add support for more languages

In-app purchases

None

Optimal Authenticator

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

Sticky Widgets

Subscriptions6
  • Upgrade - Monthly7 Days trial$1.491 Month
  • Upgrade - Monthly7 Days trial$2.491 Month
  • Upgrade - Quarterly7 Days trial$2.993 Months
Show 3 more
  • Upgrade - Quarterly7 Days trial$4.993 Months
  • Upgrade - Annual7 Days trial$8.991 Year
  • Upgrade - Annual7 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time3
  • Classic$2.99
  • Upgrade - One-Time Option$19.99
  • Upgrade - One-Time Option$34.99

Questions

Is Optimal Authenticator free?
Optimal Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sticky Widgets free?
Sticky Widgets is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Optimal Authenticator or Sticky Widgets?
Sticky Widgets is rated higher. Optimal Authenticator averages 3.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Sticky Widgets averages 4.6 from 30K ratings.
Do Optimal Authenticator or Sticky Widgets have ads?
Neither Optimal Authenticator nor Sticky Widgets shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Optimal Authenticator or Sticky Widgets?
Optimal Authenticator ships an update every 3 months, and Sticky Widgets every 2 weeks. Most recently, Optimal Authenticator was updated on October 6, 2026 and Sticky Widgets on October 20, 2026.

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