Comparison

Google Authenticator vs The authenticator App

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

The authenticator App

Securely manage all your two-factor authentication codes in one place. Scan QR codes or manually add accounts for easy access, protected by Face ID or password.

Highlights
  • 2FA Code Generation
  • QR Code Scanning
  • Centralized Account Management
  • Face ID Access
  • Password Lock
Features
Read full description

Authenticator App will help you to have all your 2FA Auth access in one place. All you need to SCAN a QR code or manually enter details. This is very secure. We have following features supported 1. 2FA Generator 2. Scan Auth QR code 3. Maintain all in one place 4. Access with faceid 5. Lock with password Subscription Policy - Subscriptions are billed weekly or monthly at the rate selected depending on the subscription plan. Payment models for Premium subscription: - Monthly Subscription : $9.99 / month which comes with 3 Day Free Trial - Weekly Subscription: $4.99/week which no trail - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions auto-renew at the cost of the chosen package, unless cancelled 24-hours in advance prior to the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed by going to your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. You may manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings after purchase. Privacy Policy - http://sleepnext.nextpixelapps.in/index.php/sleepnext-app-mobile-privacy-policy/ Service Terms - http://sleepnext.nextpixelapps.in/index.php/terms-and-condition/

Screenshots

Google Authenticator4 screens
The authenticator App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: The authenticator App at 100% against Google Authenticator's 58%. The authenticator App also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). Google Authenticator's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.4) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, ads and device support 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. The authenticator App sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Google Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

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 67, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of Google Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 100% of The authenticator App's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, The authenticator App every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Google Authenticator versus The authenticator App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoogle AuthenticatorThe authenticator App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.2M ratings) — better4.4 (67 ratings)
Positive reviews58.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.2M — better67
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#3 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoogleNextPixel apps

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%

The authenticator App

All ratings67 ratings
Positive86.6%
Neutral1.5%
Negative11.9%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

The authenticator App

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Google Authenticator

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

The authenticator App

Subscriptions2
  • The authy authenticator3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • 2fa 2 factor authentication3 Days trial$9.991 Month

Questions

Is Google Authenticator free?
Google Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is The authenticator App free?
The authenticator App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or The authenticator App?
Google Authenticator is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while The authenticator App averages 4.4 from 67 ratings.
Do Google Authenticator or The authenticator App have ads?
Neither Google Authenticator nor The authenticator App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or The authenticator App?
Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and The authenticator App every 4 weeks. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and The authenticator App on September 11, 2026.

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