# LUX vs Bitwarden Authenticator

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bitwarden Authenticator at none against LUX's 2. Bitwarden Authenticator also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). LUX's advantage is review sentiment (60% vs 41%). On price and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. LUX sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Bitwarden Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

LUX ships an update every 2 weeks, Bitwarden Authenticator fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | LUX | Bitwarden Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.5 (95 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bitwarden-authenticator/id6497335175/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **95** |
| Positive reviews | **60.0% of reviews** | 40.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 17 MB | 71 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [koji torishima](https://appshunter.io/developer/1622793467) | [Bitwarden Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1137397743) |

## What reviewers say

### LUX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lux-illuminance-meter/id1631156210)

Measure ambient light levels in lux or foot-candles instantly. Useful for photography, plant care, or verifying brightness for various tasks. Offers advanced features like color temperature and measurement history for premium users.

**Highlights:** Instant lux measurement, Color temperature (CCT) reading, Foot-candle unit toggle, Min/Avg/Max lux tracking, Measurement history (Premium), CSV export (Premium)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Plan | $1.99 | per month |
| Yearly Plan | $11.99 | per year |


### Bitwarden Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bitwarden-authenticator/id6497335175)

Generate secure verification codes for two-factor authentication on your device. This app supports any website or application using industry-standard TOTP, adding an extra layer of protection to your online accounts.

**Highlights:** Generate 2FA verification codes, Supports TOTP standard, Universal compatibility, Simple, intuitive interface, Adds extra layer of protection

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good start
- 🚀 Supports export and import
- 🔒 Backed by a trusted company
- 💡 Dedicated authenticator app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes on launch
- 🐛 Search function not working
- 🐛 Backup not working as expected
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with older devices

**Reported bugs**

- Search results showing placeholder codes
- Backup not restoring codes after device restore
- Crashes after app updates

**Requested features**

- Add icons for services
- Allow rearranging of entries
- Implement iCloud/cloud sync
- Add Apple Watch support
- Require biometric authentication on each app open


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LUX free?

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

### Is Bitwarden Authenticator free?

Bitwarden Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do LUX or Bitwarden Authenticator have ads?

LUX shows ads; Bitwarden Authenticator does not.

### Which is updated more often, LUX or Bitwarden Authenticator?

LUX ships an update every 2 weeks, and Bitwarden Authenticator fortnightly. Most recently, LUX was updated on October 24, 2026 and Bitwarden Authenticator on October 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.*