# Authenticator app vs Authenticator App†

Authenticator app and Authenticator App† both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 68% of Authenticator app's written reviews are positive against 20% of Authenticator App†'s. On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator app sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month 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 app against 4.5 for Authenticator App†. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5.7K and 2.5K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 68% of Authenticator app's written reviews are positive against 20% of Authenticator App†'s.

Authenticator app ships an update monthly, Authenticator App† fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator app | Authenticator App† |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (5.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id1625466768/reviews)** | [4.5 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id1672330315/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.7K** | 2.5K |
| Positive reviews | **67.7% of reviews** | 20.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 279 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Maxima Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1153277200) | [Appqe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1675570121) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator app

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id1625466768)

This app provides secure two-factor authentication for over 1000 popular online accounts. It offers quick access via widgets and Apple Watch, and ensures your data is safe with no internet exchange. Easily set up accounts by scanning QR codes or entering secret keys.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication (2FA), Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Supports 1000+ apps, Apple Watch support, Quick widget support, QR code scanning, Encrypted backup

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator Premium Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Authenticator App Premium Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator App Weekly Premium | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Premium Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Premium Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Premium Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Premium Access 3 Month Trial | $69.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Premium Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator Premium Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator App Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🔒 Secure authentication
- 👍 Reliable and works well
- 🚀 Quick and efficient
- 👍 Helpful for account recovery

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 💰 Expensive or hidden fees
- 🤯 Confusing setup and usage
- 🔒 Issues with account access and recovery
- 🔋 Drains device battery

**Reported bugs**

- Codes not working or generating errors
- App crashing or freezing during use
- Accounts being deleted or inaccessible
- Compatibility issues with certain devices or platforms

**Requested features**

- Improved user interface and instructions
- Better compatibility with other apps and services
- Option to export/backup authentication codes
- Ability to easily manage and remove accounts


### 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 app free?

Authenticator app 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 app or Authenticator App†?

Authenticator app is rated higher. Authenticator app averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5.7K ratings, while Authenticator App† averages 4.5 from 2.5K ratings.

### Do Authenticator app or Authenticator App† have ads?

Neither Authenticator app nor Authenticator App† shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Authenticator app or Authenticator App†?

Authenticator app ships an update monthly, and Authenticator App† fortnightly. Most recently, Authenticator app was updated on September 22, 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.*