# Authenticator · vs Authenticator App · 2FA

The clearest difference is monetization model: Authenticator · at free with in-app purchases against Authenticator App · 2FA's subscription. Authenticator · also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.6 vs 4.2). Authenticator App · 2FA's advantage is review sentiment (45% vs 24%). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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 · 2FA sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator · holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator · has 26K ratings behind it against 379, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 24% of Authenticator ·'s written reviews are positive against 45% of Authenticator App · 2FA's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Authenticator · ships an update every 9 days, Authenticator App · 2FA every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator · | Authenticator App · 2FA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (26K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator/id1602061522/reviews)** | [4.2 (379 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa/id6470149516/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **26K** | 379 |
| Positive reviews | 23.8% of reviews | **45.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#34** | — |
| Size | 129 MB | 114 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [SMM service, s.r.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1503472689) | [FirstOrder.AI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1713063266) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator ·

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

**Currently charting:** #34 Top Grossing · Utilities, #163 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 · 2FA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa/id6470149516)

This app provides an extra layer of security for your online accounts by generating time-based one-time passwords (TOTP/OTP) for two-factor authentication. It supports numerous services and offers features like encrypted sync, passkey support, and app-level security.

**Highlights:** Generate 2-factor authentication codes, Support for passkeys and passwordless logins, Encrypted sync and backup via iCloud/Google Cloud, App-level security with Face ID/Touch ID, Widgets for home screen access, Organize codes with folders, Import from Google Authenticator

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator PRO Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Monthly Premium | $11.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Monthly Premium | $11.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Monthly Premium | $12.99 | per month |
| Authenticator PRO Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Annual Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator PRO Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator PRO Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| OTP Authenticator PRO Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| OTP Authenticator PRO Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator PRO Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator PRO Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |
| 2FA Authenticator - Pro | $59.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator PRO Lifetime | $79.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Strong security and encryption for 2FA codes
- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
- 🚀 Fast and reliable performance
- 💻 Cross-platform synchronization (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)
- ⌚ Widget support and smartwatch integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Misleading free-to-paid conversion model
- 🚫 Difficult cancellation process
- ⚠️ Accidental subscription charges
- 🔐 Authentication and login issues
- 📱 Mobile version requires paid subscription

**Reported bugs**

- QR code scanner not functioning properly
- Unable to import keys on mobile without payment
- Sync issues between Mac and iOS devices
- Photo-based QR code reading fails
- App incompatible with CachyOS

**Requested features**

- CachyOS/Arch Linux version support
- Clearer pricing and subscription information upfront
- Manual code entry without QR scanner requirement
- Better cross-platform synchronization documentation
- Improved setup instructions for new devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator · free?

Authenticator · is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Authenticator App · 2FA free?

Authenticator App · 2FA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Authenticator · or Authenticator App · 2FA?

Authenticator · is rated higher. Authenticator · averages 4.6 out of 5 from 26K ratings, while Authenticator App · 2FA averages 4.2 from 379 ratings.

### Do Authenticator · or Authenticator App · 2FA have ads?

Authenticator App · 2FA shows ads; Authenticator · does not.

### Which is updated more often, Authenticator · or Authenticator App · 2FA?

Authenticator · ships an update every 9 days, and Authenticator App · 2FA every 3 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator · was updated on September 25, 2026 and Authenticator App · 2FA 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.*