# Authenticator App vs Authenticator ® App

The clearest difference is monetization model: Authenticator ® App at free with in-app purchases against Authenticator App's subscription. Authenticator App's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (43% vs 19%). On price, rating, in-app purchases and chart position 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 12 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 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 3.2K, 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 19% of Authenticator ® App's.

Authenticator App ships an update fortnightly, Authenticator ® App every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 28, 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 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6480253221/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **49K** | 3.2K |
| Positive reviews | **42.9% of reviews** | 19.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#50** | #103 |
| Size | 251 MB | 135 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | +17 |
| Developer | [2Stable](https://appshunter.io/developer/1534145511) | [MatechMobile Software JSC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1567017153) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator App

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

**Currently charting:** #50 Top Grossing · Productivity, #54 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/id6480253221)

**Currently charting:** #103 Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store)

This app enhances online security by managing two-factor authentication codes for over 1,000 applications. It offers features like password leak detection, VPN protection, and secure password autofill, with cloud backups and biometric security options.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication code generation, Password leak detection, VPN protection, Password and account autofill, Cloud backups, Biometric security (Face ID, Touch ID), Organize apps with folders

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Siri integration, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium Plan | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly VPN Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium Plan | $12.99 | per month |
| Monthly VPN Plan | $14.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium Plan | $19.99 | per month |
| Yearly Upgrade Plan | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly 7 Day Free Plan | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium Plan | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium Plan | $59.99 | per year |
| Yearly VPN Plan | $69.99 | per year |
| One-time Payment | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Reliable and efficient
- 🚀 Smooth experience
- 🔒 Keeps accounts safe

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't work as expected
- 💰 Not free, charges subscription fees
- 🔒 Poor security, unable to log in
- 🤖 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 🤔 Misleading advertising

**Reported bugs**

- Camera not working for face scan
- Unable to find authentication codes
- Codes not working, locked out of accounts

**Requested features**

- Add option to cancel subscription
- Improve customer support


## 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 3.2K 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 fortnightly, and Authenticator ® App every 5 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator App was updated on September 30, 2026 and Authenticator ® App on September 28, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Authenticator App or Authenticator ® App?

Authenticator App currently peaks at #50 in the App Store charts, and Authenticator ® App at #103. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*