# Auth vs Authenticator App ¹

The clearest difference is monetization model: Auth at free with in-app purchases against Authenticator App ¹'s subscription. Auth also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (67% vs 56%). Authenticator App ¹'s advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (287 vs 5). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Auth sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Authenticator App ¹ sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Auth against 4.2 for Authenticator App ¹. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator App ¹ has 287 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of Auth's written reviews are positive against 56% of Authenticator App ¹'s.

Auth ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator App ¹ daily. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Auth | Authenticator App ¹ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/auth/id1437751869/reviews)** | [4.2 (287 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6446274872/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **287** |
| Positive reviews | **66.7% of reviews** | 56.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Daily** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 2 MB | 140 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Oliver Hayman](https://appshunter.io/developer/914520817) | [GITU Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1676651389) |

## What reviewers say

### Auth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/auth/id1437751869)

This app generates time-based one-time passwords for multi-factor authentication. It supports iCloud sync for seamless access across devices and offers quick code copying. It also recognizes TOTP QR codes for easy setup.

**Highlights:** Time-based one-time password generation, iCloud Sync for multi-device access, Tap to copy authentication codes, TOTP QR code recognition, iOS Dark Theme support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nice Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Kind Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Amazing Tip | $9.99 | one-time |
| Unbelievable Tip | $19.99 | one-time |


### Authenticator App ¹

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6446274872)

This app provides secure login and identity protection through two-factor authentication (2FA) and password management. It generates one-time passwords for various platforms and offers features like a private browser and VPN.

**Highlights:** Generate TOTP 2FA codes, Face ID, Touch ID, or password protection, Secure iCloud sync, Built-in password manager, Strong password generator, Integrated private browser, Apple Watch support, Built-in VPN client

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Plan | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly (VPN) | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly Plan | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly (VPN) | $14.99 | per year |
| Monthly Plan | $14.99 | per month |
| Yearly Plan | $19.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $49.99 | per year |
| Lifetime License | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Security tool
- 👍 Daily use
- 👍 Very good
- 👍 Thank you
- 👍 Good

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't work
- 🐛 Needs premium version
- 🐛 Not intuitive
- 🐛 Subscription required
- 🐛 Doesn't work for Instagram

**Reported bugs**

- Doesn't work
- Requires premium for functionality
- Doesn't work for Instagram authentication
- Lost access after trial

**Requested features**

- Provide instructions/manual
- Allow star rating without review prompt


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Auth free?

Auth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Authenticator App ¹ free?

Authenticator App ¹ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Auth or Authenticator App ¹?

Auth is rated higher. Auth averages 4.2 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Authenticator App ¹ averages 4.2 from 287 ratings.

### Do Auth or Authenticator App ¹ have ads?

Authenticator App ¹ shows ads; Auth does not.

### Which is updated more often, Auth or Authenticator App ¹?

Auth ships an update every 4 months, and Authenticator App ¹ daily. Most recently, Auth was updated on October 29, 2026 and Authenticator App ¹ on October 27, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*