Comparison

Authenticator vs Sesame

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Authenticator

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
Read full description

Protect your online accounts with a private, beautifully simple authenticator built for fast and secure two-factor authentication. Generate verification codes offline, organize every account, and keep your encrypted vault in sync across your Apple devices. SECURITY THAT STAYS YOURS Your authentication codes are stored in an encrypted vault protected by your private passphrase. Unlock quickly with Face ID or Touch ID, and use your recovery key if you ever need to restore access. Your data stays on your devices and in your personal iCloud account—with no advertising or cross-app tracking. FAST, RELIABLE VERIFICATION CODES Generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) without a network connection. Codes are always ready when you need to sign in, with a clean interface that keeps the current code easy to find and copy. ORGANIZED AROUND YOUR LIFE Group accounts into folders for work, personal, social, or any setup that suits you. Add custom labels, edit account details, and keep even a large collection easy to navigate. MOVE IN WITHOUT THE HASSLE Add accounts by scanning a QR code, import QR codes from your photo library, or migrate existing accounts in seconds. SYNC ACROSS APPLE DEVICES Keep your encrypted vault securely updated across your Apple devices using iCloud. Automatic sync helps your accounts stay available without giving up control of your data. FEATURES • Encrypted vault with passphrase protection • Recovery key for safe account recovery • Face ID and Touch ID unlock • Offline TOTP verification codes • Secure iCloud sync • Folders and custom labels • QR code scanning and photo import • Light and Dark Mode • No advertising or cross-app tracking Authenticator combines strong privacy with a focused, elegant experience—so protecting every account feels effortless.

About

Sesame

Features
Read full description

Feels like it came with your phone. 2FA the way it should be. Fast, light, and familiar. Profiles for personal, work, side projects, or however you organise your life. Enable iCloud backups to give you peace of mind. Or backup to an encrypted file you can store wherever you like. Works with Siri and Spotlight. Search is instant. Fully private and secure. Free and open source. Read it, build it, audit it.

Screenshots

Authenticator4 screens
Sesame4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Authenticator at every 5 weeks against Sesame's every 3 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Authenticator ships an update every 5 weeks, Sesame every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Authenticator versus Sesame: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuthenticatorSesame
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (31 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings31 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.618.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVinay JainSam King Studio

In-app purchases

None

Authenticator

No in-app purchases

None

Sesame

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Authenticator free?
Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sesame free?
Sesame is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Authenticator or Sesame have ads?
Neither Authenticator nor Sesame shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Authenticator or Sesame?
Authenticator ships an update every 5 weeks, and Sesame every 3 months. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on October 25, 2026 and Sesame on October 25, 2026.

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