Comparison

Yubico Authenticator vs Instant Guard

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

Instant Guard

This app provides a secure VPN connection, allowing you to browse anonymously and protect your financial information on public Wi-Fi. It enables remote access to your home ASUS router, ensuring your privacy and security wherever you go.

Highlights
  • One-click VPN connection
  • Secured and encrypted connectivity
  • Anonymous browsing
  • Change IP address and location
  • Remote ASUS router access
Features
Read full description

Instant Guard is basing on VPN feature of ASUS Router and only available for manager now. Use the Instant Guard app when you connect to public Wi-Fi and just as you are using safety network at home - ensuring your personal privacy remains safe and financial information protected. Instant Guard allows you easily access to your ASUS router at home while you are away and keeps 100% anonymous while you browser bank, shop and chat with Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. In the future, this feature will improve to allow to share VPN connection permissions to your friends or family members. Key Feature : 1.One-Click Operation 2.Secured and encrypted connectivity 3.Surf Anonymously 4.Change your IP Address and Location *The ASUS routers sold in the CN region do not support Instant Guard. Instant Guard app supports the following ASUS router. RT-BE96U RT-AXE7800 RT-AX92U RT-AX89X RT-AX88U_Pro RT-AX88U RT-AX86U_PRO RT-AX86U RT-AX86S RT-AX82U_V2 RT-AX82U RT-AX68U RT-AX59U RT-AX58U_V2 RT-AX58U RT-AX57_Go RT-AX57 RT-AX56U RT-AX55 RT-AX5400 RT-AX54 RT-AX53U RT-AX52 RT-AC88U RT-AC86U RT-AC3100 RT-AC5300 GS-AX3000 GS-AX5400 GT6 GT-AC2900 GT-AC5300 GT-AX11000 GT-AX11000_PRO GT-AX6000 GT-AXE11000 GT-AXE16000 TUF-AX3000 TUF-AX3000_V2 TUF-AX4200 TUF-AX5400 TUF-AX6000 ZenWiFi CT8 ZenWiFi XD4 ZenWiFi XD5 ZenWiFi XD6 ZenWiFi XP4 ZenWiFi XT9 ZenWiFi AX (XT8) ZenWiFi AX Hybrid (XC5) ZenWiFi ET8 ZenWiFi Pro ET12 ZenWiFi Pro XT12

Screenshots

Yubico Authenticator4 screens
Instant Guard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Yubico Authenticator at 3.7 against Instant Guard's 3.4. Yubico Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (268 vs 61). Instant Guard's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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

Yubico Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 268 and 61 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of Yubico Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 38% of Instant Guard's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Yubico Authenticator ships an update monthly, Instant Guard every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Yubico Authenticator versus Instant Guard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterYubico AuthenticatorInstant Guard
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (268 ratings) — better3.4 (61 ratings)
Positive reviews43.6% of reviews — better38.5% of reviews
Number of ratings268 — better61
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB64 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYubicoASUS

Customer experience

Yubico Authenticator

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

Instant Guard

All ratings61 ratings
Positive54.1%
Neutral9.8%
Negative36.1%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive38.5%
Neutral13.5%
Negative48.1%

User reviews

Yubico Authenticator

From 268 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works well with Yubikey
  • 🔒 Secure storage of OATH secrets
  • 👍 Simple and easy to use
  • 🚀 NFC support added

Room to improve

  • 🐛 NFC not working on some devices
  • 🐛 Clunky UI for password-protected keys
  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes reported
  • 🐛 Incompatible with some devices (iPad, older iPhones)

Instant Guard

From 61 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and does its job
  • 🔒 Great security focused VPN
  • 👍 Setup is straightforward
  • 💰 Cost-effective solution
  • 🚀 Works great for remote access

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Auto connection conflicts
  • 🐛 Fails to connect on iOS update
  • 🐛 Cellular data severely affected
  • 🐛 No internet when connected
  • 🐛 Auto protect on cellular

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

Instant Guard

Reported bugs

31 issues
  • Auto connection still conflicts
  • Cannot connect after current iOS update
  • Cellular data severely affected
  • Auto protect feature comes on when on cellular network
  • IP Address did not change
Show 26 more
  • App has stopped working
  • No longer works
  • Breaks internet connection completely
  • Useless - Won't connect
  • Stuck at finding router
  • Not a VPN as IP address does not change
  • Auto protect feature ignores settings
  • Share feature simply doesn't work
  • iOS 17 still not working
  • Stopped working after updating
  • Not working with iOS 16.5.1
  • No luck on Mac Studio
  • Won't connect
  • iOS 16.5 incompatible
  • Disconnects every hour or so
  • Can't share connection
  • Connection drops
  • Super buggy app
  • Terrible app with terrible support
  • Worked before, now stopped
  • No ability to share connection
  • Router not detected
  • No Internet connection
  • Kills internet connection
  • Slower upload compared to OpenVPN
  • Router crashed multiple times when connected to WiFi

Requested features

11 requests
  • Add split tunnelling
  • Automatic connection when leaving home network
  • Ability to automatically connect/disconnect based on WiFi network
  • Shortcuts widget for one-touch control
  • Automation capabilities
Show 6 more
  • Family sharing option
  • Set time for VPN disconnection or make disconnection longer
  • Improve auto connect function on iOS
  • Fix auto protect feature on cellular
  • More information on app and web admin page
  • Add option to turn VPN on/off automatically

In-app purchases

None

Yubico Authenticator

No in-app purchases

None

Instant Guard

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Yubico Authenticator free?
Yubico Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Instant Guard free?
Instant Guard is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Yubico Authenticator or Instant Guard?
Yubico Authenticator is rated higher. Yubico Authenticator averages 3.7 out of 5 from 268 ratings, while Instant Guard averages 3.4 from 61 ratings.
Do Yubico Authenticator or Instant Guard have ads?
Neither Yubico Authenticator nor Instant Guard shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Yubico Authenticator or Instant Guard?
Yubico Authenticator ships an update monthly, and Instant Guard every 2 months. Most recently, Yubico Authenticator was updated on September 14, 2026 and Instant Guard on September 20, 2026.

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