Yubico Authenticator vs Pebblebee
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
Pebblebee
This app helps you locate your belongings like keys and bags using Bluetooth and crowdsourced networks. It also offers safety features like an emergency alert and secure messaging with finders.
- Bluetooth item finding
- Global crowdsourced tracking
- Emergency alert with strobe and siren
- Location sharing with trusted contacts
- Phone finder via device double-tap
- Secure messaging with finders
- Device firmware management
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Pebblebee keeps your keys, bags, and phone close – and now keeps you safer, too. Pair your rechargeable Clip, Card or Tag as well as manage your item finding Link Labels. Our products use Bluetooth to find close-by items and Apple Find My or Google Find Hub for global crowdsourcing - millions of phones helping you track anything, anywhere. With powerful additional features Pebblebee turns a simple item finder into a powerful addition to your everyday life. New for Summer of 2025 - Alert – A free feature inside every Clip, turns an ordinary key ring into a lifeline: rapid presses activate a strobe, blasts a siren, and sends your location straight to the people you trust. - Phone Finder - Double tap your Pebblebee device to find your phone! Other Features - Device management – activate, rename, and update firmware for Clip, Card, Tag in one place. - Safety Circle - manage a list of people you trust that get notified when Alert is triggered. - Link Label management – add return instructions, chat securely with finders, and get instant scan alerts. - Secure messaging - Communicate safely with people who may find your items without revealing personal information. - Instant alerts - Get notified when your Link Labels are scanned so you know where your item was found More upgrades roll out all year, including expanded Alert support, new device features and Link types. Find us anywhere! support@pebblebee.com facebook.com/pebblebee instagram.com/pebblebee reddit.com/r/Pebblebee Track What Matters Most
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Pebblebee at 4.9 against Yubico Authenticator's 3.7. Yubico Authenticator's advantage is review sentiment (44% vs 35%). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Pebblebee holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 268 and 143 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of Yubico Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 35% of Pebblebee's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Yubico Authenticator ships an update monthly, Pebblebee every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Yubico Authenticator | Pebblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (268 ratings) | 4.9 (143 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 43.6% of reviews — better | 35.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 268 — better | 143 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 16.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 56 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yubico | PebbleBee LLC |
Customer experience
Yubico Authenticator
Pebblebee
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
Pebblebee
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Yubico Authenticator
No in-app purchases
Pebblebee
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Yubico Authenticator free?
Is Pebblebee free?
Which has better reviews, Yubico Authenticator or Pebblebee?
Do Yubico Authenticator or Pebblebee have ads?
Which is updated more often, Yubico Authenticator or Pebblebee?
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