Comparison

Authenticator vs Authenticator App

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

Head to head
About

Authenticator

Secure your online accounts with this open-source two-factor authentication app. It supports TOTP and offers multiple convenient setup and export options, all while remaining completely offline and private.

Highlights
  • TOTP algorithm support
  • QR code scanning for setup
  • Import accounts from files
  • Manual account entry
  • Export account keys
  • Offline functionality
  • Open-source
Read full description

Authenticator is an elegant, open-source two-factor authentication app that supports the Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) algorithm. It offers multiple convenient methods to set up your accounts: • Scan a QR Code. • Read from a QR Code image. • Import from a file. • Manual entry. The app features an beautiful “Account Details” page that displays each account along with its QR Code. You can view or copy this information at any time. Authenticator also provides several easy ways to export all your accounts: • Export key URIs to the clipboard. • Export key URIs as plain text. • Export key URIs as a TXT file. • Export key URIs as QR Code images. Authenticator always remains offline and never connects to any networks. It does not track any data or collect any personal information. Just works as it should be. Authenticator is fully open source on GitHub: https://github.com/bingzheung/authenticator

About

Authenticator App

Secure your online accounts with two-factor authentication and manage all your passwords in one place. Easily scan QR codes to set up codes and integrate with popular services for enhanced digital safety.

Highlights
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
  • Password Manager
  • Scan and Import Codes
  • Seamless Integration
  • Secure Account Management
Features
Read full description

Secure your accounts and manage passwords with ease using our Two-Factor Authentication and Password Manager app. Our app is the ultimate security tool that combines powerful Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) with a seamless Password Manager to keep your data safe and organized. Key Features: Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Protect your online accounts with industry-standard 2FA, ensuring an extra layer of security beyond your passwords. Scan and Import Codes: Easily set up authentication codes by scanning QR codes or importing existing keys—simplifying the setup process. Password Manager: Store, organize, and retrieve all your passwords securely in one place. Say goodbye to forgotten passwords and vulnerable sticky notes. Seamless Integration: Works with popular platforms, apps, and services that support 2FA. Whether you want to add secure two-factor authentication to your accounts or need a reliable password manager, this app has you covered. Upgrade your security. Simplify your life. Download now and take control of your digital safety! This app offers an auto-renewing yearly subscription to provide unlimited access to the all-inclusive solution while you maintain an active subscription. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period, and the renewal cost will be identified. You may manage your subscription and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. Billing Membership auto-renewal subscription instructions: - Monthly: 1 month, $8.99 - Yearly :12 months, $24.99 - Lifetime: $44.99 Read more about our terms and conditions here: Terms & Conditions: https://skystacksystemsllc.com/terms-conditions/ Privacy Policy: https://skystacksystemsllc.com/privacy-policy/ You also agree to Apple's End User License Agreement (EULA). Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Authenticator App at Free against Authenticator's $0.99. Authenticator's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and device support 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

Authenticator App is free to download; Authenticator costs $0.99 up front. Authenticator App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 77% of Authenticator App's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, Authenticator App every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Authenticator versus Authenticator App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuthenticatorAuthenticator App
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews76.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings22
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer兵 张Sky Stack Systems

Customer experience

Authenticator

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Authenticator App

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive76.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative23.1%

In-app purchases

None

Authenticator

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Authenticator App

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$8.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Plan$44.99

Questions

Is Authenticator free?
Authenticator costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Authenticator App free?
Authenticator App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Authenticator or Authenticator App?
Authenticator is rated higher. Authenticator averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Authenticator App averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?
Neither Authenticator nor Authenticator App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Authenticator or Authenticator App?
Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, and Authenticator App every 3 months. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on October 24, 2026 and Authenticator App on October 11, 2026.

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