Comparison

Google Authenticator vs Two Factor Authenticator

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

Two Factor Authenticator

Manage your 2-Step Verification codes with a beautiful, minimal, and organized interface. This app offers a clean aesthetic, folder organization, and secure iCloud sync across Apple devices. Seamlessly import codes and generate them offline.

Highlights
  • Minimalist and elegant interface
  • Organize codes with folders
  • iCloud sync across Apple devices
  • Seamless migration from Google Authenticator
  • Offline code generation
  • Secured with FaceID/TouchID
Features
Read full description

Protect your online accounts with a private, beautifully simple authenticator built for fast and secure two-factor authentication. Generate verification codes offline, organise every account, and keep your encrypted vault in sync across your Apple devices. SECURITY THAT STAYS YOURS Your authentication codes are stored in an encrypted vault protected by your private passphrase. Unlock quickly with Face ID or Touch ID, and use your recovery key if you ever need to restore access. Your data stays on your devices and in your personal iCloud account—with no advertising or cross-app tracking. FAST, RELIABLE VERIFICATION CODES Generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) without a network connection. Codes are always ready when you need to sign in, with a clean interface that keeps the current code easy to find and copy. ORGANISED AROUND YOUR LIFE Group accounts into folders for work, personal, social, or any setup that suits you. Add custom labels, edit account details, and keep even a large collection easy to navigate. MOVE IN WITHOUT THE HASSLE Add accounts by scanning a QR code, import QR codes from your photo library, or migrate existing accounts in seconds. SYNC ACROSS APPLE DEVICES Keep your encrypted vault securely updated across your Apple devices using iCloud. Automatic sync helps your accounts stay available without giving up control of your data. FEATURES • Encrypted vault with passphrase protection • Recovery key for safe account recovery • Face ID and Touch ID unlock • Offline TOTP verification codes • Secure iCloud sync • Folders and custom labels • QR code scanning and photo import • Light and Dark Mode • No advertising or cross-app tracking Authenticator combines strong privacy with a focused, elegant experience—so protecting every account feels effortless.

Screenshots

Google Authenticator4 screens
Two Factor Authenticator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Google Authenticator at 4.9 against Two Factor Authenticator's 4.4. Google Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (1.2M vs 31) and chart position (#3 vs unranked). Two Factor Authenticator's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). 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 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 31, 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 50% of Two Factor Authenticator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Two Factor Authenticator every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and July 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Google Authenticator versus Two Factor Authenticator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoogle AuthenticatorTwo Factor Authenticator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.2M ratings) — better4.4 (31 ratings)
Positive reviews58.4% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2M — better31
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#3 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoogleVinay Jain

Customer experience

Google Authenticator

All ratings1,160,889 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.0%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews1,648 reviews
Positive58.4%
Neutral4.5%
Negative37.1%

Two Factor Authenticator

All ratings31 ratings
Positive83.9%
Neutral6.5%
Negative9.7%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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

Two Factor Authenticator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Google Authenticator

No in-app purchases

None

Two Factor Authenticator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Google Authenticator free?
Google Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Two Factor Authenticator free?
Two Factor Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or Two Factor Authenticator?
Google Authenticator is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while Two Factor Authenticator averages 4.4 from 31 ratings.
Do Google Authenticator or Two Factor Authenticator have ads?
Neither Google Authenticator nor Two Factor Authenticator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or Two Factor Authenticator?
Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and Two Factor Authenticator every 2 weeks. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 25, 2026 and Two Factor Authenticator on July 31, 2026.

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