# Authenticator App vs Authenticator

Authenticator App and Authenticator both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 38% of Authenticator App's written reviews are positive against 15% of Authenticator's. Authenticator's advantage is device support (4 vs 2). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days and Authenticator sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 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 — 4.4 for Authenticator App against 4.3 for Authenticator. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 547 and 406 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 38% of Authenticator App's written reviews are positive against 15% of Authenticator's.

Authenticator App ships an update every 9 days, Authenticator weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App | Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (547 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa/id1665498541/reviews)** | [4.3 (406 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator/id6463820946/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **547** | 406 |
| Positive reviews | **38.5% of reviews** | 14.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 231 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fire Technologies Hong Kong Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1871390749) | [Ali El Malki](https://appshunter.io/developer/1699908413) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa/id1665498541)

This app generates secure two-factor authentication codes for your online accounts. It adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access and offers cloud backup for your authentication keys. Easily add accounts by scanning QR codes or manual entry.

**Highlights:** Secure accounts with 2FA, Generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), Encrypted cloud backup and sync, Offline code generation, Add accounts via QR code or manual entry, Cross-device synchronization (Premium)

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Full Version 3D TRIAL | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Full Version | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Full Version | $24.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription With Trial | $49.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Strong security and protection features
- ✅ Effective 2FA functionality
- 👍 Simple and straightforward to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Deceptive pricing model - advertised as free but charges subscription
- 💳 Aggressive upselling of premium/pro version
- ⚠️ Lack of transparency about costs
- 📞 Poor customer support and unresponsive developers
- 🔐 Suspicious data harvesting and privacy concerns

**Reported bugs**

- App stops working after initial setup period
- Users locked out of accounts
- Repeated unauthorized subscription charges
- App fails to function despite payment

**Requested features**

- Clear pricing disclosure upfront
- Better customer support channels
- Option to use app without premium subscription


### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator/id6463820946)

Enhance your online account security with this two-factor authentication utility. Easily add accounts by scanning QR codes and benefit from bank-grade encryption and biometric unlock for peace of mind. Supports thousands of websites and services.

**Highlights:** Bank-Grade Encryption, Secure 2FA and MFA Tokens, Effortless Setup (QR Scan), Biometric Unlock, Encrypted Backups to iCloud, Cross-Device Sync, TOTP Support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator Pro Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription Authly | $12.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Pro | $44.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Pro Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ❤️ Amazing app
- 👍 Loved it
- 👍 Top
- 👍 Wouah super
- 👍 Congratulations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😞 Not working
- 😞 Too complicated
- 😞 Horrible
- 😞 Too expensive
- 😞 Scam app

**Reported bugs**

- Not working
- Cannot make app work
- Cannot cancel subscription
- App freezes
- Locked out of everything

**Requested features**

- Show cost first
- Provide free version without payment
- Offer manual key entry
- Provide email support option
- Clearer instructions for setup and configuration


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator App free?

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

### Is Authenticator free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Authenticator App or Authenticator?

Authenticator App is rated higher. Authenticator App averages 4.4 out of 5 from 547 ratings, while Authenticator averages 4.3 from 406 ratings.

### Do Authenticator App or Authenticator have ads?

Both Authenticator App and Authenticator show ads.

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

Authenticator App ships an update every 9 days, and Authenticator weekly. Most recently, Authenticator App was updated on October 8, 2026 and Authenticator on October 10, 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.*