# Authenticator app vs Pinyin TL

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pinyin TL at none against Authenticator app's 10. Pinyin TL also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). Authenticator app's advantage is ratings volume (5.9K vs 1) and device support (4 vs 2). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator app sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Pinyin TL asks for nothing beyond the download.

Pinyin TL holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator app has 5.9K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Authenticator app ships an update monthly, Pinyin TL weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator app | Pinyin TL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (5.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id1625466768/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pinyin-tl/id6812143919/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5.9K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 67.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 279 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Maxima Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1153277200) | [Tom Kerrigan](https://appshunter.io/developer/295445504) |

## 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 (10)**

| 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 |

**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


### Pinyin TL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pinyin-tl/id6812143919)

This app uses your device's camera to recognize Chinese characters in images and display their corresponding Pinyin. It can also provide dictionary definitions for recognized words and works offline.

**Highlights:** Recognizes traditional and simplified Chinese, Displays Pinyin for characters, Provides CC-CEDICT dictionary entries, Supports horizontal and vertical text, Works offline, Uses Live Text for selection

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator app free?

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

### Is Pinyin TL free?

Pinyin TL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Authenticator app or Pinyin TL?

Pinyin TL is rated higher. Authenticator app averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5.9K ratings, while Pinyin TL averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Authenticator app or Pinyin TL have ads?

Neither Authenticator app nor Pinyin TL shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Authenticator app or Pinyin TL?

Authenticator app ships an update monthly, and Pinyin TL weekly. Most recently, Authenticator app was updated on November 7, 2026 and Pinyin TL on October 31, 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.*