# Google Authenticator vs The authenticator App

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | The authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews)** | [4.4 (67 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-authenticator-app-2fa/id1641113701/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 67 |
| Positive reviews | 58.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [NextPixel apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1584487280) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Utilities, #93 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


### The authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-authenticator-app-2fa/id1641113701)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The authy authenticator | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| 2fa 2 factor authentication | $9.99 | per month |


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