Comparison

Yubico Authenticator vs WAVE ID Mobile

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

Head to head
About

Yubico Authenticator

Secure your online accounts with hardware-backed two-factor authentication. Store unique credentials on a physical security key, eliminating the need to store sensitive data on your mobile device. Generate verification codes without an internet connection for enhanced account protection.

Highlights
  • Hardware-backed security key storage
  • Touch or NFC authentication
  • USB-C support
  • Biometric unlock (FaceID/TouchID)
  • QR code setup
  • User presence verification
  • Smart Card support
Read full description

Store your unique credentials on a hardware-backed security key and take it wherever you go from mobile to desktop. No more storing sensitive secrets on your mobile phone, leaving your account vulnerable to takeovers. With the Yubico Authenticator you can raise the bar for security. * The Yubico Authenticator will work with any USB, Lightning, or NFC-enabled YubiKeys. * As iPads do not have NFC, they will only work through a Lightning or USB connection. The Yubico Authenticator generates a code used to verify your identity as you are logging into various services. No connectivity needed! Features include: Touch or NFC Authentication - Touch the YubiKey sensor or simply tap a YubiKey with NFC to a mobile phone that is NFC-enabled to store your credential on the YubiKey USB-C support - Connect the YubiKey 5Ci or any USB-C type YubiKey. When prompted, depending on the key, touch the contacts on the sides of the key or the golden ring on the top Biometric support - Experience greater convenience by unlocking your YubiKey with FaceID or TouchID Easy Setup - QR codes available from the services you wish to protect with strong authentication User Presence - New codes generated with just a touch or NFC tap of the YubiKey Compatible - Secure all the services currently compatible with other Authenticator apps Secure - Hardware-backed strong two-factor authentication with secret stored on the YubiKey, not on the mobile device Versatile - Support for multiple work and personal accounts Portable - Get the same set of codes across our other Yubico Authenticator apps for desktops as well as for all leading mobile platforms Flexible - Support for time-based and counter-based code generation Smart Card - Support for Apple's CryptoTokenKit Extension making it possible to use certificates stored on your YubiKey to authenticate with other apps and sites Experience security the modern way with the Yubico Authenticator. Visit yubico.com to learn more.

About

WAVE ID Mobile

Transform your mobile device into a secure authentication credential for compatible readers. This app generates a unique ID for your phone, transmitting it wirelessly via Bluetooth for access control.

Highlights
  • Mobile device as authentication credential
  • Generates unique user identification number
  • Bluetooth transmission to compatible readers
  • Works with specific WAVE ID Mobile reader models
  • Requires Bluetooth 4.2 or higher
Features
Read full description

The WAVE ID Mobile app allows mobile devices to be used as an authentication credential with compatible WAVE ID Mobile readers from rf IDEAS. The app generates an identification number unique to the user’s mobile device and sends it via Bluetooth to the reader. Requirements: 1. A WAVE ID Mobile reader from rf IDEAS, model series RDR-30x8xBKU (the app will not work with series RDR-30x8xAKU). 2. A mobile phone with Bluetooth 4.2 or higher. Note: This application is for illustration purposes only. rf IDEAS cannot guarantee performance across all mobile phone models and operating systems, and does not provide technical support for the application. For information on the WAVE ID Mobile reader and other reader products from rf IDEAS visit www.rfideas.com.

Screenshots

Yubico Authenticator4 screens
WAVE ID Mobile1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: WAVE ID Mobile at 5.0 against Yubico Authenticator's 3.7. Yubico Authenticator's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 25 months) and ratings volume (268 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

WAVE ID Mobile holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Yubico Authenticator has 268 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Yubico Authenticator ships an update monthly, WAVE ID Mobile every 25 months. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Yubico Authenticator versus WAVE ID Mobile: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterYubico AuthenticatorWAVE ID Mobile
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (268 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews43.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings268 — better1
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 25 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYubicoRF IDeas, Inc

Customer experience

Yubico Authenticator

All ratings268 ratings
Positive64.9%
Neutral6.7%
Negative28.4%
Written reviews179 reviews
Positive43.6%
Neutral11.2%
Negative45.3%

WAVE ID Mobile

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Yubico Authenticator

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • NFC not working reliably
  • Accounts disappearing after updates
  • Calculation of codes not working
  • Keyboard issues when using keys

Requested features

5 requests
  • Allow editing and rearranging of entries
  • Add support for multiple keys per account
  • Improve iPad/tablet support
  • Add dark mode option
  • Improve QR code scanning

WAVE ID Mobile

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Yubico Authenticator

No in-app purchases

None

WAVE ID Mobile

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Yubico Authenticator free?
Yubico Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is WAVE ID Mobile free?
WAVE ID Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Yubico Authenticator or WAVE ID Mobile?
WAVE ID Mobile is rated higher. Yubico Authenticator averages 3.7 out of 5 from 268 ratings, while WAVE ID Mobile averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Yubico Authenticator or WAVE ID Mobile have ads?
Neither Yubico Authenticator nor WAVE ID Mobile shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Yubico Authenticator or WAVE ID Mobile?
Yubico Authenticator ships an update monthly, and WAVE ID Mobile every 25 months. Most recently, Yubico Authenticator was updated on October 16, 2026 and WAVE ID Mobile on October 16, 2026.

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