Optimal Authenticator vs Honorlock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Two-factor authentication
- Push notification verification
- On-app verification codes
- Trusted device registration
- Secure identity verification
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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.
Honorlock
This app facilitates secure authentication for online assessments by using your mobile device as a webcam. It guides you through setup steps before your session begins, ensuring a smooth connection to your institution's Honorlock enabled exams.
- Mobile device as webcam
- Guided authentication steps
- Secure connection to assessments
- ID, workspace, and camera setup
- Saved progress
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Honorlock helps you complete your authentication steps and use your mobile device as a webcam during supported Honorlock online assessments. This app walks you through each step before your session begins, then securely connects your phone's camera to your session. This app does not deliver sessions or provide proctoring itself. It works alongside your institution's Honorlock enabled assessments. Features - Guided, step-by-step Honorlock authentication - Use your phone's camera as a webcam - ID, workspace, and camera setup in one place - Saved progress so an interruption won't make you start over - Compatible with supported Honorlock enabled assessments
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Optimal Authenticator at 3.0 against Honorlock's 1.1. Optimal Authenticator also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Honorlock's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (338 vs 4). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Optimal Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 1.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Honorlock has 338 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of Optimal Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 2% of Honorlock's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Optimal Authenticator ships an update every 3 months, Honorlock every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Optimal Authenticator | Honorlock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (4 ratings) — better | 1.1 (338 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 2.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 338 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | #145 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 80 MB | 95 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Optimal IdM | Honorlock |
Customer experience
Optimal Authenticator
Honorlock
In-app purchases
Optimal Authenticator
No in-app purchases
Honorlock
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Optimal Authenticator free?
Is Honorlock free?
Which has better reviews, Optimal Authenticator or Honorlock?
Do Optimal Authenticator or Honorlock have ads?
Which is updated more often, Optimal Authenticator or Honorlock?
Other comparisons
