# ID.me Authenticator vs Authenticator App

ID.me Authenticator and Authenticator App both sit at 4.3 stars, but that hides the real split: 50% of Authenticator App's written reviews are positive against 12% of ID.me Authenticator's. Authenticator App also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and device support (5 vs 3). ID.me Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ratings volume (100K vs 658). On price, rating and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. ID.me Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

Authenticator App holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ID.me Authenticator has 100K ratings behind it against 658, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 12% of ID.me Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 50% of Authenticator App's.

ID.me Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, Authenticator App fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ID.me Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (100K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idme-authenticator/id1446335066/reviews) | **[4.5 (658 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-and-mfa/id6450535322/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **100K** | 658 |
| Positive reviews | 12.3% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#39** | — |
| Size | 16 MB | 202 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ID.me](https://appshunter.io/developer/1189278595) | [NETRON LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1692513455) |

## What reviewers say

### ID.me Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idme-authenticator/id1446335066)

**Currently charting:** #39 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app provides a free multi-factor authentication solution for your account, adding an extra security layer to prevent unauthorized access. It generates secure verification tokens, including time-based codes and push notifications, to confirm your identity during login.

**Highlights:** Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), Push notification verification, Mobile security keys, Account protection from hackers

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 💡 Comprehensive identity verification
- 👍 Clean and straightforward interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent technical issues
- 🕰️ Slow and unresponsive support
- 🤯 Confusing and frustrating workflow
- 🔒 Privacy and security concerns
- 🙍‍♀️ Poor user experience for non-tech-savvy individuals

**Reported bugs**

- Repeated login failures
- Inability to upload documents successfully
- Inconsistent error messages
- Compatibility issues with certain phone models

**Requested features**

- Improved customer support with live agents
- Simplified identity verification process
- Compatibility with more device types
- Ability to reset passwords and accounts easily


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-and-mfa/id6450535322)

Enhance your online security with multi-factor and two-factor authentication. This app generates unique verification codes to protect sensitive accounts and data from unauthorized access, offering peace of mind for your digital life.

**Highlights:** Generate unique verification codes, Encrypted data and iCloud backups, Sync 2FA tokens across Apple devices, Apple Watch support, Customizable icons, PIN lock and auto-lock, Biometric authentication (Face ID/Touch ID)

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Secure Yourself - Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Offer Access | $7.99 | per month |
| Secure Yourself - Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Secure Yourself - 6 Months | $24.99 | per 6 months |
| Secure Yourself - Mac Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Secure Yourself - Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Claim Offer - Free | Free | one-time |
| Lifetime - Offer | Free | one-time |
| Secure Yourself - Mac Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |
| Secure Yourself - Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Efficient and reliable
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🔒 Secure authentication

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 💰 Misleading pricing and subscriptions
- 🔒 Concerns about data privacy

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to add new accounts after update
- Immediate logout after login
- App crashing after updates

**Requested features**

- Compatibility with older devices
- Support for more authentication providers
- Horizontal iPad support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ID.me Authenticator free?

ID.me Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Authenticator App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ID.me Authenticator or Authenticator App?

Authenticator App is rated higher. ID.me Authenticator averages 4.3 out of 5 from 100K ratings, while Authenticator App averages 4.5 from 658 ratings.

### Do ID.me Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?

Neither ID.me Authenticator nor Authenticator App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ID.me Authenticator or Authenticator App?

ID.me Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, and Authenticator App fortnightly. Most recently, ID.me Authenticator was updated on September 29, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 28, 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.*