# Duo Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is ads: Authenticator App at none against Duo Authenticator's shown. Authenticator App also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly) and device support (5 vs 1). Duo Authenticator's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 20%). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Duo Authenticator sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Authenticator App sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 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 — 4.2 for Duo Authenticator against 4.2 for Authenticator App. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 86 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of Duo Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 20% of Authenticator App's.

Duo Authenticator ships an update monthly, Authenticator App every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Duo Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duo-authenticator/id1665454984/reviews) | [4.2 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6472872177/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 24 | **86** |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 20.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 60 MB | 50 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Petr Polasek](https://appshunter.io/developer/1613323784) | [Hearttell US Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/508262068) |

## What reviewers say

### Duo Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duo-authenticator/id1665454984)

Enhance your online security with this multi-factor authentication app. It provides an extra layer of protection for your accounts by generating time-sensitive codes, even when offline. Secure your sensitive information with ease and peace of mind.

**Highlights:** Quick and easy setup, Wide service compatibility, Time-sensitive security codes, Offline code generation, End-to-end encryption, Security code protection

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium 1 Week | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium 1 Month | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium 1 Year | $29.99 | per year |


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6472872177)

Secure your online accounts with two-factor authentication. This app offers passwordless sign-ins, seamless autofill, and encrypted backups. It supports a vast range of services and works across Apple devices, with advanced security features like Face ID and Touch ID.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication (2FA), Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Passwordless sign-ins, Seamless password autofill, Encrypted iCloud backup, Offline OTP generation, Face ID & Touch ID security

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator App 2FA Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator_App_2FA_MFA_Week | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator App 2FA Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator App 2FA Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Authenticator_App_Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App 2FA Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator_App_2FA_Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator App One-time | $49.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator_App_2FA_Onetime | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Duo Authenticator free?

Duo 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, Duo Authenticator or Authenticator App?

Duo Authenticator and Authenticator App are both rated 4.2 out of 5 on the App Store, from 24 and 86 ratings respectively.

### Do Duo Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?

Duo Authenticator shows ads; Authenticator App does not.

### Which is updated more often, Duo Authenticator or Authenticator App?

Duo Authenticator ships an update monthly, and Authenticator App every 9 days. Most recently, Duo Authenticator was updated on October 9, 2026 and Authenticator App on October 7, 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.*