# Authenticator · vs Authenticator App†

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Authenticator · at 26K against Authenticator App†'s 2.5K. Authenticator · also leads on chart position (#41 vs unranked) and device support (5 vs 3). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator · sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days and Authenticator App† sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Authenticator · against 4.5 for Authenticator App†. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator · has 26K ratings behind it against 2.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 24% of Authenticator ·'s written reviews are positive against 20% of Authenticator App†'s.

Authenticator · ships an update every 9 days, Authenticator App† fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator · | Authenticator App† |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (26K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator/id1602061522/reviews)** | [4.5 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id1672330315/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **26K** | 2.5K |
| Positive reviews | **23.8% of reviews** | 20.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#41** | — |
| Size | 129 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SMM service, s.r.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1503472689) | [Appqe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1675570121) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator ·

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator/id1602061522)

**Currently charting:** #41 Top Grossing · Utilities, #159 Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

Securely store and generate two-factor authentication (2FA) tokens for your online accounts. Protect your accounts from hackers with an additional layer of security. Features encrypted backups, cross-device synchronization, and a private browser.

**Highlights:** Secure 2FA token generation, Encrypted iCloud backups, Cross-device synchronization, Import/Export 2FA codes, Password manager with leak protection, Private browser, App PIN lock

**Features:** Safari Extension, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Week Starter | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| 1 Month Promo | $7.99 | per month |
| 1 Week Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| 1 Month Plan - VPN | $12.99 | per month |
| 1 Month Plan | $12.99 | per month |
| 1 Month Special | $12.99 | per month |
| 1 Month Plan - 7 Days | $12.99 | per month |
| 1 Year Plan | $49.99 | per year |
| 1 Year Plan | $59.99 | per year |
| 1 Year Plan - 3 Days | $59.99 | per year |
| 1 Year - 7 Days | $69.99 | per year |
| 1 Year Plan - VPN | $79.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Helpful for 2FA
- 👍 Easy to navigate
- 🚀 Efficient authentication

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 💰 Subscription-based model
- 🔒 Concerns about security and privacy
- 🤔 Misleading marketing

**Reported bugs**

- Codes not working as expected
- Accounts disappearing after device change
- Inability to cancel subscription

**Requested features**

- Backup and restore functionality
- Support for more account types
- Clearer instructions for setup and usage


### Authenticator App†

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id1672330315)

Secure your online accounts with a versatile two-factor authentication solution. Manage all your authentication codes in one place, offering enhanced security for websites, services, and crypto wallets. Supports biometric access and offline code generation.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication (2FA), Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), Biometric security (fingerprint, face ID, PIN), Offline code generation, Wide service compatibility

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription Pack | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $14.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and smooth app
- 🔒 Puts confidence in data security
- 👍 Great app overall

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Removed accounts after update
- 🐛 Deleted authentication codes
- 🐛 QR code scanning issues
- 🔒 Lost data and no backup
- 💰 Aggressive subscription upselling

**Reported bugs**

- Accounts removed after update
- Authentication codes deleted
- QR code scanning not working
- Data loss with no backup
- App freezing or crashing

**Requested features**

- Ability to rename token cards
- Option to pin favorites or sort
- Assign categories to entries


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator · free?

Authenticator · 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 · or Authenticator App†?

Authenticator · is rated higher. Authenticator · averages 4.6 out of 5 from 26K ratings, while Authenticator App† averages 4.5 from 2.5K 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 9 days, and Authenticator App† fortnightly. Most recently, Authenticator · was updated on September 25, 2026 and Authenticator App† on September 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.*