# Authenticator App vs Authenticator

The clearest difference is rating: Authenticator at 5.0 against Authenticator App's 4.4. Authenticator also leads on ads (none vs shown). Authenticator App's advantage is ratings volume (547 vs 2) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator App has 547 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Authenticator App ships an update every 9 days, Authenticator every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 4, 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) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2famfa/id6739278649/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **547** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 38.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 231 MB | 50 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.5** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fire Technologies Hong Kong Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1871390749) | [园 周](https://appshunter.io/developer/1783490941) |

## 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-2famfa/id6739278649)

Enhance your online security with this user-friendly app that generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) for two-factor authentication. Securely manage codes for popular services by scanning QR codes or importing existing data. Offers iCloud sync and biometric protection for easy access across devices.

**Highlights:** Generate secure 2FA codes, Sync accounts with iCloud, Biometric authentication (Face ID/Touch ID), Setup via QR scan or import, Organize tokens with folders, Import/export codes as text file

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $12.99 | per month |
| Annual Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $49.99 | one-time |


## 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 is rated higher. Authenticator App averages 4.4 out of 5 from 547 ratings, while Authenticator averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Authenticator App or Authenticator have ads?

Authenticator App shows ads; Authenticator does not.

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

Authenticator App ships an update every 9 days, and Authenticator every 3 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator App was updated on October 8, 2026 and Authenticator on October 4, 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.*