# Authenticator App† vs Authenticator App · 2FA

The clearest difference is monetization model: Authenticator App† at free with in-app purchases against Authenticator App · 2FA's subscription. Authenticator App† also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.5 vs 4.2). Authenticator App · 2FA's advantage is review sentiment (45% vs 20%) and device support (5 vs 3). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App† sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days and Authenticator App · 2FA sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator App† holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator App† has 2.5K ratings behind it against 381, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 20% of Authenticator App†'s written reviews are positive against 45% of Authenticator App · 2FA's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Authenticator App† ships an update fortnightly, Authenticator App · 2FA every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App† | Authenticator App · 2FA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id1672330315/reviews)** | [4.2 (381 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa/id6470149516/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.5K** | 381 |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | **44.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 22 MB | 114 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Appqe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1675570121) | [FirstOrder.AI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1713063266) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator App†

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id1672330315)

Secure your online accounts with a versatile two-factor authentication solution. Manage all your authentication codes in one place, offering enhanced security for websites, services, and crypto wallets. Supports biometric access and offline code generation.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication (2FA), Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), Biometric security (fingerprint, face ID, PIN), Offline code generation, Wide service compatibility

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription Pack | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $14.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and smooth app
- 🔒 Puts confidence in data security
- 👍 Great app overall

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Removed accounts after update
- 🐛 Deleted authentication codes
- 🐛 QR code scanning issues
- 🔒 Lost data and no backup
- 💰 Aggressive subscription upselling

**Reported bugs**

- Accounts removed after update
- Authentication codes deleted
- QR code scanning not working
- Data loss with no backup
- App freezing or crashing

**Requested features**

- Ability to rename token cards
- Option to pin favorites or sort
- Assign categories to entries


### Authenticator App · 2FA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa/id6470149516)

This app provides an extra layer of security for your online accounts by generating time-based one-time passwords (TOTP/OTP) for two-factor authentication. It supports numerous services and offers features like encrypted sync, passkey support, and app-level security.

**Highlights:** Generate 2-factor authentication codes, Support for passkeys and passwordless logins, Encrypted sync and backup via iCloud/Google Cloud, App-level security with Face ID/Touch ID, Widgets for home screen access, Organize codes with folders, Import from Google Authenticator

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator PRO Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Monthly Premium | $11.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Monthly Premium | $11.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Monthly Premium | $12.99 | per month |
| Authenticator PRO Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Annual Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator PRO Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator PRO Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| OTP Authenticator PRO Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| OTP Authenticator PRO Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator PRO Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator PRO Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |
| 2FA Authenticator - Pro | $59.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator PRO Lifetime | $79.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Strong security and encryption for 2FA codes
- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
- 🚀 Fast and reliable performance
- 💻 Cross-platform synchronization (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)
- ⌚ Widget support and smartwatch integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Misleading free-to-paid conversion model
- 🚫 Difficult cancellation process
- ⚠️ Accidental subscription charges
- 🔐 Authentication and login issues
- 📱 Mobile version requires paid subscription

**Reported bugs**

- QR code scanner not functioning properly
- Unable to import keys on mobile without payment
- Sync issues between Mac and iOS devices
- Photo-based QR code reading fails
- App incompatible with CachyOS

**Requested features**

- CachyOS/Arch Linux version support
- Clearer pricing and subscription information upfront
- Manual code entry without QR scanner requirement
- Better cross-platform synchronization documentation
- Improved setup instructions for new devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator App† free?

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

### Is Authenticator App · 2FA free?

Authenticator App · 2FA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Authenticator App† or Authenticator App · 2FA?

Authenticator App† is rated higher. Authenticator App† averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2.5K ratings, while Authenticator App · 2FA averages 4.2 from 381 ratings.

### Do Authenticator App† or Authenticator App · 2FA have ads?

Authenticator App · 2FA shows ads; Authenticator App† does not.

### Which is updated more often, Authenticator App† or Authenticator App · 2FA?

Authenticator App† ships an update fortnightly, and Authenticator App · 2FA every 3 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator App† was updated on September 30, 2026 and Authenticator App · 2FA on September 28, 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.*