# Authenticator App† vs Authly

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Authly at 65% against Authenticator App†'s 20%. Authenticator App†'s advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 216). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Authly sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 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 216, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 20% of Authenticator App†'s written reviews are positive against 65% of Authly's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Authenticator App† ships an update fortnightly, Authly every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App† | Authly |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id1672330315/reviews)** | [4.2 (216 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authly/id6476198484/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.5K** | 216 |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | **64.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 22 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Appqe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1675570121) | [Appios Bilisim](https://appshunter.io/developer/1796567865) |

## 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


### Authly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authly/id6476198484)

This app provides secure 2FA verification codes for over 2,500 websites and services. It offers seamless integration with Apple Watch, a support widget, and robust encryption for your data. Easily link accounts by scanning QR codes and enjoy synchronized access across all your devices.

**Highlights:** 2FA verification codes, QR code account linking, Support for 2,500+ websites, Apple Watch integration, In-app support widget, Encrypted data storage, Cross-device synchronization

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Access, 1 Week | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Access, 1 Month | $12.99 | per month |
| Premium Access, 1 Year | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast code generation for authentication
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 🔒 Secure two-factor authentication
- 💡 Widget feature for lock screen access
- 📱 Import/export functionality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Requires payment for full features
- 🎭 Deceptive app naming (similar to 'Authy')
- ⏳ 10-second wait time on startup without payment
- 🚫 Cannot export without paying
- 😤 Poor customer support

**Reported bugs**

- QR code scanning not working properly
- Account creation hyperlink non-functional
- Clicking wrong account when editing
- Support message box fails to send
- Confirmation emails sent to incorrect addresses

**Requested features**

- Better account name display without truncation
- Improved icon/list view for managing hundreds of accounts
- Clearer setup instructions
- Video tutorial improvements
- Better organization for large account collections


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator App† free?

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

### Is Authly free?

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

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

Authenticator App† is rated higher. Authenticator App† averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2.5K ratings, while Authly averages 4.2 from 216 ratings.

### Do Authenticator App† or Authly have ads?

Neither Authenticator App† nor Authly shows ads.

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

Authenticator App† ships an update fortnightly, and Authly every 5 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator App† was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authly on September 21, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*