Authenticator vs X
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- TOTP algorithm support
- QR code scanning for setup
- Import accounts from files
- Manual account entry
- Export account keys
- Offline functionality
- Open-source
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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
X
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X: QR Code Scanner & Generator is a fast and easy-to-use tool for scanning and creating QR codes. Effortlessly scan any QR code or generate custom ones with your preferred colors and shapes. Main features: - Scan any QR code using the camera, with flashlight support. - Scan QR codes directly from your photo library. - Create custom QR codes with your chosen colors and shapes. - Save custom QR codes to your photo library for future use.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: X at Free against Authenticator's $0.99. X also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Authenticator's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#188 vs unranked). On in-app purchases 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
X is free to download; Authenticator costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, X daily. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Authenticator | X |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Daily — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #188 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 兵 张 | Bao Tran |
In-app purchases
Authenticator
No in-app purchases
X
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Authenticator free?
Is X free?
Do Authenticator or X have ads?
Which is updated more often, Authenticator or X?
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