# Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Authenticator at none against Authenticator App's 3. Authenticator also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months). Authenticator App's advantage is ratings volume (138 vs 31) and device support (4 vs 1). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Authenticator against 4.5 for Authenticator App. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 31 and 138 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 50% and 50% positive.

Authenticator ships an update every 5 weeks, Authenticator App every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-otp-and-totp/id1578747318/reviews) | **[4.5 (138 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-and-mfa/id1621928288/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 31 | **138** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 10 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vinay Jain](https://appshunter.io/developer/1335756062) | [BEYLER Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/1551010741) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-otp-and-totp/id1578747318)

Manage your 2-Step Verification codes with a beautiful, minimal, and organized interface. This app offers a clean aesthetic, folder organization, and secure iCloud sync across Apple devices. Seamlessly import codes and generate them offline.

**Highlights:** Minimalist and elegant interface, Organize codes with folders, iCloud sync across Apple devices, Seamless migration from Google Authenticator, Offline code generation, Secured with FaceID/TouchID

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-and-mfa/id1621928288)

Securely store and generate two-factor authentication tokens for your online accounts. This app enhances your digital security by providing Time-based One-time Passwords (TOTP) and Hash-based one-time passwords (HOTP). It offers encrypted backups and cross-device access for peace of mind.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication token generation, Time-based and Hash-based OTP support, Encrypted backup for security, Access across multiple Apple devices, Supports thousands of online accounts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium | $4.99 | per month |
| Premium | $19.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator free?

Authenticator is free to download, 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 App is rated higher. Authenticator averages 4.4 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while Authenticator App averages 4.5 from 138 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 5 weeks, and Authenticator App every 4 months. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on October 24, 2026 and Authenticator App on October 24, 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.*