# Authenticator App vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is monetization model: Authenticator App at freemium against Authenticator App's subscription. Authenticator App's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (49K vs 547). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and Authenticator App sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator App holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator App has 49K ratings behind it against 547, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Authenticator App's written reviews are positive against 38% of Authenticator App's.

Authenticator App ships an update every 10 days, Authenticator App every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (49K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id1538761576/reviews)** | [4.4 (547 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa/id1665498541/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **49K** | 547 |
| Positive reviews | **42.6% of reviews** | 38.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | **#43** | — |
| Size | 145 MB | 231 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [2Stable](https://appshunter.io/developer/1534145511) | [Fire Technologies Hong Kong Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1871390749) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id1538761576)

**Currently charting:** #43 Top Grossing · Productivity, #64 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app provides secure two-factor authentication codes for your online accounts, enhancing security with encryption and backups. It offers seamless synchronization across Apple devices and quick access via widgets, even when offline.

**Highlights:** Secure & Private Encryption, Encrypted Backup, Automatic Synchronization, Quick Access Widget, Offline Code Generation, Multi-Account Import, Native Apple Experience

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator App | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator App | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App | $39.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App | $69.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App | $69.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Premium | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works well
- 🔒 Secure and reliable
- 👍 Easy to use and set up
- 💡 Excellent cross-device sync and backup
- 👍 Convenient desktop app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer devices
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔒 Limited free version
- 👎 Confusing setup and instructions
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes

**Reported bugs**

- App not launching on M2 MacBook Air
- Widget showing incorrect codes
- Login issues after device changes

**Requested features**

- More widget customization options
- Bulk import/export of accounts
- Password manager integration
- Automatic locking and unlocking options


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa/id1665498541)

This app generates secure two-factor authentication codes for your online accounts. It adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access and offers cloud backup for your authentication keys. Easily add accounts by scanning QR codes or manual entry.

**Highlights:** Secure accounts with 2FA, Generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), Encrypted cloud backup and sync, Offline code generation, Add accounts via QR code or manual entry, Cross-device synchronization (Premium)

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Full Version 3D TRIAL | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Full Version | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Full Version | $24.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription With Trial | $49.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Strong security and protection features
- ✅ Effective 2FA functionality
- 👍 Simple and straightforward to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Deceptive pricing model - advertised as free but charges subscription
- 💳 Aggressive upselling of premium/pro version
- ⚠️ Lack of transparency about costs
- 📞 Poor customer support and unresponsive developers
- 🔐 Suspicious data harvesting and privacy concerns

**Reported bugs**

- App stops working after initial setup period
- Users locked out of accounts
- Repeated unauthorized subscription charges
- App fails to function despite payment

**Requested features**

- Clear pricing disclosure upfront
- Better customer support channels
- Option to use app without premium subscription


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator App free?

Authenticator App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Authenticator App free?

Authenticator App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Authenticator App or Authenticator App?

Authenticator App is rated higher. Authenticator App averages 4.6 out of 5 from 49K ratings, while Authenticator App averages 4.4 from 547 ratings.

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

Authenticator App shows ads; Authenticator App does not.

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

Authenticator App ships an update every 10 days, and Authenticator App every 9 days. Most recently, Authenticator App was updated on September 25, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 17, 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.*