Comparison

Yubico Authenticator vs PlugOS

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

PlugOS

This app securely connects to dedicated hardware for managing sensitive data locally. It ensures privacy by processing and storing all information on the device, without internet access or cloud reliance. Enjoy a secure and private digital experience for various applications.

Highlights
  • Local data processing and storage
  • Hardware-level security isolation
  • No internet connection required
  • Device authentication and status checking
  • Firmware updates
  • Resistant to complex attacks
Features
Read full description

Say goodbye to the worries of data leakage and privacy invasion! PlugOS App is the official companion application for PlugOS smart security hardware, allowing users to securely connect and manage PlugOS devices on their iPhone. PlugOS device is a fingertip-sized smart security hardware equipped with local storage and a dedicated computing unit, designed specifically to provide a secure and private data operation experience. With PlugOS App, you can easily complete device authentication, status checking, secure data display, parameter settings, and firmware updates. All sensitive data is processed and stored locally on the PlugOS device, ensuring that data does not touch the ground, leave traces, or connect to the internet. Core Features 【Hardware Isolation, Pure Security】 All your sensitive operations and data processing are carried out within the secure chip inside the PlugOS hardware, completely physically isolated from your mobile phone or computer device. No data traces are left, no internet connection is made, and no cloud storage is involved, ensuring that your information is always in your control. 【Ultimate Privacy, Never Tracked】 PlugOS adheres to its commitment to privacy: we do not collect any of your user data, do not track your usage behavior, and will never have any advertising disturbances. You can enjoy a truly pure and private digital space on any PlugOS-supported device, including iOS. 【Convenient and Flexible, Plug and Play】 By connecting the hardware through the PlugOS App, you can access the secure services and private data content provided by PlugOS. The PlugOS App makes all this incredibly simple. 【Multifunctional Security Applications】 Whether you are engaging in private communication, managing digital assets, enjoying private audio and video, handling work secrets, or isolating applications, PlugOS can provide you with a secure, private, convenient, and feature-rich operating environment. 【Resistant to Complex Attacks】 The PlugOS hardware and App work together to effectively resist complex software and hardware attacks, ensuring that you can use it with peace of mind. Note: The PlugOS App is only compatible with PlugOS exclusive hardware and does not interfere with iOS security mechanisms. It fully complies with the App Store Review Guidelines.

Screenshots

Yubico Authenticator4 screens
PlugOS2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Yubico Authenticator at 268 against PlugOS's 3. On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.7 for Yubico Authenticator against 3.7 for PlugOS. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Yubico Authenticator has 268 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 44% of Yubico Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 50% of PlugOS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Yubico Authenticator versus PlugOS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterYubico AuthenticatorPlugOS
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (268 ratings)3.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews43.6% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings268 — better3
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB41 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYubicoShanghai Pingbo Info Tech Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Yubico Authenticator

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

PlugOS

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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

PlugOS

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Yubico Authenticator

No in-app purchases

None

PlugOS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Yubico Authenticator free?
Yubico Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PlugOS free?
PlugOS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Yubico Authenticator or PlugOS?
Yubico Authenticator and PlugOS are both rated 3.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 268 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do Yubico Authenticator or PlugOS have ads?
Neither Yubico Authenticator nor PlugOS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Yubico Authenticator or PlugOS?
Yubico Authenticator ships an update monthly, and PlugOS monthly. Most recently, Yubico Authenticator was updated on October 7, 2026 and PlugOS on October 2, 2026.

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