# Yubico Authenticator vs Pebblebee

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Yubico Authenticator | Pebblebee |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (268 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yubico-authenticator/id1476679808/reviews) | **[4.9 (143 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pebblebee/id6739783037/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **268** | 143 |
| Positive reviews | **43.6% of reviews** | 35.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 4 MB | 56 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yubico](https://appshunter.io/developer/586890748) | [PebbleBee LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/888957833) |

## What reviewers say

### Yubico Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yubico-authenticator/id1476679808)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pebblebee/id6739783037)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Yubico Authenticator free?

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

### Is Pebblebee free?

Pebblebee is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Yubico Authenticator or Pebblebee?

Pebblebee is rated higher. Yubico Authenticator averages 3.7 out of 5 from 268 ratings, while Pebblebee averages 4.9 from 143 ratings.

### Do Yubico Authenticator or Pebblebee have ads?

Neither Yubico Authenticator nor Pebblebee shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Yubico Authenticator or Pebblebee?

Yubico Authenticator ships an update monthly, and Pebblebee every 3 weeks. Most recently, Yubico Authenticator was updated on September 14, 2026 and Pebblebee on September 21, 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.*