# Authenticator vs Authenticator App ＂

The clearest difference is price: Authenticator App ＂ at Free against Authenticator's $0.99. Authenticator App ＂ also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months). Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On rating there is nothing between them.

Authenticator App ＂ is free to download; Authenticator costs $0.99 up front. Authenticator App ＂ sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Authenticator against 5.0 for Authenticator App ＂. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, Authenticator App ＂ every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator App ＂ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-auth-app/id1511791282/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6761050210/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 7 MB | 94 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [兵 张](https://appshunter.io/developer/1492987808) | [VisonMix](https://appshunter.io/developer/1887506426) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-auth-app/id1511791282)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Authenticator App ＂

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6761050210)

Securely store, manage, and access verification codes for your online accounts. Generate one-time passwords, organize tokens by category, and protect your data with encrypted backups and security insights.

**Highlights:** Fast & Secure OTP Authentication, Smart Authenticator Organization, Security Audit & Protection Insights, Encrypted iCloud Backup & Sync, Privacy Protection, Universal Compatibility

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly VIP | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly VIP | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly VIP - 3 Days Free | $39.99 | per year |
| Lifetime VIP | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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 and Authenticator App ＂ are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do Authenticator or Authenticator App ＂ have ads?

Authenticator App ＂ shows ads; Authenticator does not.

### Which is updated more often, Authenticator or Authenticator App ＂?

Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, and Authenticator App ＂ every 9 days. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator App ＂ on September 28, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*