# Google Authenticator vs BAuthenticator

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Google Authenticator at 58% against BAuthenticator's 8%. Google Authenticator also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.3) and ratings volume (1.2M vs 43). BAuthenticator's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). 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 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 43, 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 8% of BAuthenticator's.

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, BAuthenticator every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | BAuthenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews)** | [2.3 (43 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bauthenticator/id1575861279/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 43 |
| Positive reviews | **58.4% of reviews** | 7.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Beijing Ji'an Technology Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1542169324) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Utilities, #128 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


### BAuthenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bauthenticator/id1575861279)

This app provides a secure and convenient way to manage your two-factor authentication codes. It supports both manual entry of 16-digit keys and scanning QR codes for easy setup.

**Highlights:** Supports 16-digit key entry, QR code scanning for setup, Two-factor authentication management, Secure code generation

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Authenticator free?

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

### Is BAuthenticator free?

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

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

Google Authenticator is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while BAuthenticator averages 2.3 from 43 ratings.

### Do Google Authenticator or BAuthenticator have ads?

Neither Google Authenticator nor BAuthenticator shows ads.

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

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and BAuthenticator every 2 months. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 26, 2026 and BAuthenticator on September 11, 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.*