# Google Authenticator vs AlwaysOn Mobile App

The clearest difference is rating: Google Authenticator at 4.9 against AlwaysOn Mobile App's 4.0. Google Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (1.2M vs 11) and chart position (#4 vs unranked). AlwaysOn Mobile App's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (12.2 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, AlwaysOn Mobile App every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | AlwaysOn Mobile App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews)** | [4.0 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alwayson-mobile-app/id1209110663/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | 57.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#4** | — |
| Size | 38 MB | 149 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **12.2** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Observables, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1209110662) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605)

**Currently charting:** #4 Top Free · Utilities, #90 Top Free (US App Store)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### AlwaysOn Mobile App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alwayson-mobile-app/id1209110663)

Manage, monitor, and control critical infrastructure like alarms, networks, and access control systems remotely. Access and operate your IOBOT appliance from anywhere through a phone-based interface connected to the AlwaysON Cloud Portal.

**Highlights:** Manage critical infrastructure, Monitor alarms and networks, Control access control systems, Operate IOBOT appliances, Remote access via cloud portal, Phone-based interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Authenticator free?

Google Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is AlwaysOn Mobile App free?

AlwaysOn Mobile App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or AlwaysOn Mobile App?

Google Authenticator is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while AlwaysOn Mobile App averages 4.0 from 11 ratings.

### Do Google Authenticator or AlwaysOn Mobile App have ads?

Neither Google Authenticator nor AlwaysOn Mobile App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or AlwaysOn Mobile App?

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and AlwaysOn Mobile App every 5 weeks. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on October 23, 2026 and AlwaysOn Mobile App on October 13, 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.*