# Google Authenticator vs Authenticator

The clearest difference is price: Google Authenticator at Free against Authenticator's $0.99. Google Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (1.2M vs 3) and chart position (#3 vs #195). Authenticator's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 58%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Google Authenticator is free to download; Authenticator costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Google Authenticator against 5.0 for Authenticator. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 58% of Google Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 75% of Authenticator's.

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | [4.9 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-auth-app/id1511791282/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 58.4% of reviews | **75.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | #195 |
| Size | 39 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [兵 张](https://appshunter.io/developer/1492987808) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Utilities, #110 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


### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-auth-app/id1511791282)

**Currently charting:** #195 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

Secure your online accounts with this open-source two-factor authentication app. It supports TOTP and offers multiple convenient setup and export options, all while remaining completely offline and private.

**Highlights:** TOTP algorithm support, QR code scanning for setup, Import accounts from files, Manual account entry, Export account keys, Offline functionality, Open-source

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Authenticator free?

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

### Is Authenticator free?

Authenticator costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or Authenticator?

Authenticator is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while Authenticator averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Google Authenticator or Authenticator have ads?

Neither Google Authenticator nor Authenticator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or Authenticator?

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and Authenticator every 2 months. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 25, 2026 and Authenticator on September 7, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Google Authenticator or Authenticator?

Google Authenticator currently peaks at #3 in the App Store charts, and Authenticator at #195. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

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