# Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is rating: Authenticator at 4.4 against Authenticator App's 3.4. Authenticator also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and ratings volume (31 vs 5). Authenticator App's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator has 31 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Authenticator ships an update every 5 weeks, Authenticator App every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## 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)** | [3.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2-factor/id1626628145/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **31** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 10 MB | 59 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Vinay Jain](https://appshunter.io/developer/1335756062) | [Darshan Jasoliya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1615567829) |

## 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-2-factor/id1626628145)

This app generates secure two-factor authentication codes for your online accounts. It offers cloud backup, customization options, and offline token generation. Protect your accounts with an extra layer of security.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication token generation, Cloud backup and restore, Customizable token appearance, Offline token generation, Home screen widget, Support for popular services

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## 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 no in-app purchases.

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

Authenticator is rated higher. Authenticator averages 4.4 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while Authenticator App averages 3.4 from 5 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 days. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on October 25, 2026 and Authenticator App on October 8, 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.*