Comparison

Google Authenticator vs Authenticator App

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Google Authenticator

Enhance your online security with a second verification step for your accounts. Generate codes directly on your phone, even offline, to protect against unauthorized access. Sync codes across devices for easy access and manage multiple accounts securely.

Highlights
  • Offline code generation
  • Sync codes across devices
  • Automatic QR code setup
  • Support for multiple accounts
  • Time-based and counter-based codes
  • Transfer accounts via QR code
Read full description

Google Authenticator adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by adding a second step of verification when you sign in. This means that in addition to your password, you'll also need to enter a code that is generated by the Google Authenticator app on your phone. The verification code can be generated by the Google Authenticator app on your phone, even if you don't have a network or cellular connection. • Sync your Authenticator codes to your Google Account and across your devices. This way, you can always access them even if you lose your phone. • Set up your Authenticator accounts automatically with a QR code. This is quick and easy, and it helps to ensure that your codes are set up correctly. • Support for multiple accounts. You can use the Authenticator app to manage multiple accounts, so you don't have to switch between apps every time you need to sign in. • Support for time-based and counter-based code generation. You can choose the type of code generation that best suits your needs. • Transfer accounts between devices with a QR code. This is a convenient way to move your accounts to a new device. To use Google Authenticator with Google, you need to enable 2-Step Verification on your Google Account. To get started visit http://www.google.com/2step

About

Authenticator App

Secure your online accounts with industry-standard two-factor authentication. Easily add accounts, generate time-based OTPs, and benefit from encrypted backups. Organize and manage your TFA with features like folders, brand logos, and search.

Highlights
  • Add accounts via QR code or manual entry
  • Time-based OTPs (offline access)
  • Encrypted backup and secure recovery
  • Sync secrets across devices
  • Organize accounts with folders
  • Brand logos for easy identification
  • Passwordless sign-in options
Features
Read full description

OneAuth is an industry standard authenticator app developed by Zoho. You can now enable TFA and secure all your online accounts like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more.  Over 1 million users trust OneAuth to enable 2FA and secure their online accounts. Take charge of your online security with two factor authentication - ADD online accounts to OneAuth easily by either scanning a QR code or manually entering the details. - AUTHENTICATE your online accounts using Time-based OTPs. These OTPs can be accessed offline too. - Backing up your online accounts in OneAuth is easy. We offer ENCRYPTED BACKUP for all your online accounts and they can be recovered securely by means of a Passphrase. The Passphrase is unique and known only to you and aids in recovery in case of lost or broken device. - OneAuth syncs your OTP secrets across all your devices. Making it easy for you to access OTPs from anywhere. - OneAuth is AVAILABLE ON ALL PLATFORMS. Experience secure authentication on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watch OS devices. An authenticator app that provides enhanced user experience - CREATE FOLDERS to organize your TFA accounts to your convenience. You can create and reorder personal and work folders separately for easy access. You can also move accounts within and in between folders. - Identify your 2FA accounts easily by associating them with their BRAND LOGOS. - SEARCH and find your accounts quicker with Oneauth's inbuilt search. - Explore OneAuth to its fullest potential without creating an account. GUEST USERS can use the export and import option while switching to a new device. - Users can also MIGRATE their existing online accounts to OneAuth easily from Google Authenticator. Greater security for your Zoho accounts with multi-factor authentication Passwords are just not enough. You need additional layers to ensure your account is properly safeguarded. OneAuth does that for you! - With OneAuth, you can enable MFA for all your Zoho accounts. - Set up PASSWORDLESS SIGN-IN. Avoid the everyday hassle of typing out your passwords. - Prefer a sign-in mode of your choice. You can select from multiple options like push notification, QR code, and Time-based OTPs. Even in case you're offline, you can access your account with Time-based OTPs. - Toughen up your account security. Ensure ONLY you can access your account by enabling BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION(Face ID or Touch ID). - Monitor devices and sessions in OneAuth, track login locations and designate devices into primary and secondary. OneAuth quickly adopts to the latest Apple OS and always keeps up with emerging technologies. Here are some of the iOS features that OneAuth supports - Widgets: Gets you the OTPs quickly to help you log in to your accounts. - Watch Face widgets: Gets you the right OTPs directly from your Apple watch. - Passkeys: Enhances your login experience across all Zoho apps. - Focus Filters: Allows you to associate the appropriate Zoho account for each Focus mode. - Quick Notes: Lets you intuitively edit 2FA accounts with seamless deep linking. - Live Text: Enables you to easily add 2FA accounts by reading information from web pages and documents. - Time-sensitive push notifications: Gets your critical information from OneAuth that you need to know or act upon immediately. - Dark mode: Reduce strain and improve your user experience by turning on dark mode. These extensions elevate your overall OneAuth experience to another level on your Apple device. Think Privacy. Think Zoho.  At Zoho, data privacy and security is core to our business. We believe that every individual has a right to access the internet securely and thus our authenticator app OneAuth will be free forever. SUPPORT Our help channels are available 24*7 for customers. Email us at support@zohoaccounts.com Download today!

Screenshots

Google Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Authenticator App at every 9 days against Google Authenticator's every 4 months. Authenticator App also leads on device support (5 vs 2). Google Authenticator's advantage is ratings volume (1.2M vs 34K) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Google Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 34K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Google Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 45% of Authenticator App's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator App every 9 days. Both last shipped on September 28, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Google Authenticator versus Authenticator App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoogle AuthenticatorAuthenticator App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.2M ratings) — better4.7 (34K ratings)
Positive reviews58.4% of reviews — better44.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2M — better34K
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#5 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB220 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoogleZoho Corporation

Customer experience

Google Authenticator

All ratings1,160,889 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.0%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews1,664 reviews
Positive58.4%
Neutral4.4%
Negative37.2%

Authenticator App

All ratings33,578 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral2.0%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews612 reviews
Positive44.9%
Neutral5.1%
Negative50.0%

User reviews

Google Authenticator

From 1.2M App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly
  • 🔒 Secure authentication
  • 🚀 Simple and fast
  • 🔒 Reliable security
  • 👍 Easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Randomly deleted all codes
  • 🐛 Unreliable, lost access to accounts
  • 🐛 Timing issues, codes didn't work
  • 🐛 Accounts duplicated then deleted
  • 🐛 Wiped all accounts after update

Authenticator App

From 34K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Quick and efficient
  • 🔒 Very secure
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 💡 Has Apple Watch app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unreliable notifications
  • 🐛 Confusing user interface
  • 🐛 Inconsistent behavior
  • 🐛 Difficult to navigate
  • 🐛 Locked out of accounts

Bugs and requests

Google Authenticator

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Codes randomly deleted
  • Accounts wiped after update
  • Duplicated accounts then deleted all
  • Timing issues, codes didn't work

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add scan from photo feature
  • Ability to rename and group accounts
  • Add Apple Watch app
  • Implement cloud backup option

Authenticator App

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Push notifications not working
  • Endless authentication loops
  • Incompatibility with new devices
  • Locking users out of accounts

Requested features

4 requests
  • Support for multiple accounts
  • Ability to export data to other authenticator apps
  • Improved error handling and feedback
  • Simpler setup and onboarding process

In-app purchases

None

Google Authenticator

No in-app purchases

None

Authenticator App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Google Authenticator free?
Google Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Authenticator App free?
Authenticator App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or Authenticator App?
Google Authenticator is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while Authenticator App averages 4.7 from 34K ratings.
Do Google Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?
Neither Google Authenticator nor Authenticator App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or Authenticator App?
Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and Authenticator App every 9 days. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 28, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 28, 2026.

Other comparisons