Google Authenticator vs Authenticator App
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator App every 9 days. Both last shipped on September 28, 2026.
| Parameter | Google Authenticator | Authenticator App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (1.2M ratings) — better | 4.7 (34K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 58.4% of reviews — better | 44.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.2M — better | 34K |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #5 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 39 MB | 220 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Zoho Corporation | |
Customer experience
Google Authenticator
Authenticator App
User reviews
Google Authenticator
From 1.2M App Store ratingsWhat 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 ratingsWhat 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
Google Authenticator
No in-app purchases
Authenticator App
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Google Authenticator free?
Is Authenticator App free?
Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or Authenticator App?
Do Google Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?
Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or Authenticator App?
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