Comparison

Google Authenticator vs 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

Authenticator App ™

This app provides a secure way to manage two-factor authentication (2FA) for your online accounts. It generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) that update every 30 seconds, offering an extra layer of security without needing an internet connection. Features include iCloud backup, cross-device synchronization, and biometric unlock.

Highlights
  • Time-based one-time password (TOTP) generation
  • Secure iCloud backup and encryption
  • Synchronization across all devices
  • Unlock with FaceID or password
  • 100% Ad-Free experience
  • Compatible with over 2,500 websites and services
Features
Read full description

Authenticator App is a secure application for two-factor authentication (2FA) that stores and generates time-based codes (OTP) to protect your online accounts by adding an additional layer of security when signing in. Our universal authenticator app is compatible with more than 2.500 websites and services. Create your secure MFA token in seconds, just scan the QR code for a quick & easy setup. Enter your unique one-time password (OTP software token) generated by our app on the website and voila!  It is that easy to 2FA verify your online identity.  The 6-digit code will update to a new one every 30 seconds. This timer is so you never have to use the same time-based one-time password (TOTP) more than once and you don’t have to remember the number since it will change all the time. Once our code generator app is configured, you can get verification codes without the need for a network or cellular connection. Additional Universal authenticator app features include: * Easy and user friendly  No account setup is required, just scan the 2FA QR-Code and the Authenticator app is automatically ready to use. * iCloud Backup & encryption Your data is always encrypted when stored including when it is saved in your iCloud to make sure that you are the only person who can read your data. Our Authenticatir always create a secure and encrypted backup swell in case you should lose your device, so you can easily restore your data on another decide in your iCloud account. * Synchronization Across All Devices When using our authenticater app you can always switch between your devices and access your codes in real time on all devices connected to your iCloud. * Unlock with Password or FaceID To add an extra layer of security you can setup FaceID or a password in the app so you are the only one who can read your codes and for a faster access. * 100% Ad-Free Enjoy a completely Ad Free mobile two factor authentication experience for IOS and compatible with all Apple devices. We are also proud to say that our Universal Authenticator app push the boundaries by being compatible with all websites and all type of authentication practices including Multi-factor authentication (MFA), RSA SecurID, Time based one-time password (TOTP), 2 step verification, 2 factor authenticate (2FA Security Token), ID Verify and Online ID Account Protection & Security. ————————————————— Do you need help? Or have any questions? Please contact our dedicated support staff before leaving a negative review - we will always get back to you within 48 hours! SUPPORT: For any questions or requests, please contact our customer support here: https://intercom.help/codenhagenio-aps/en/collections/8884636-app-support ————————————————— Subscription terms: Payment will be charged to the credit card connected to your iTunes Account when you confirm the initial subscription purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be identified. You may manage your subscription and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. Privacy Policy: https://www.codenhagen.io/app/Universal-Authenticator/Privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.codenhagen.io/app/Universal-Authenticator/Terms/

Screenshots

Google Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App ™4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Google Authenticator at 4.9 against Authenticator App ™'s 4.4. Google Authenticator also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (58% vs 29%). Authenticator App ™'s advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). 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. Authenticator App ™ sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. 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 24K, 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 29% of Authenticator App ™'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator App ™ every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Google Authenticator versus Authenticator App ™: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoogle AuthenticatorAuthenticator App ™
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.2M ratings) — better4.4 (24K ratings)
Positive reviews58.4% of reviews — better29.2% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2M — better24K
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#3 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoogleCodenhagen.IO ApS

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%

Authenticator App ™

All ratings24,209 ratings
Positive83.5%
Neutral4.1%
Negative12.3%
Written reviews137 reviews
Positive29.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative67.9%

User reviews

Google Authenticator

From 1.2M App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly
  • 🔒 Secure authentication
  • 🚀 Simple and fast
  • 🔒 Reliable security
  • 👍 Easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Randomly deleted all codes
  • 🐛 Unreliable, lost access to accounts
  • 🐛 Timing issues, codes didn't work
  • 🐛 Accounts duplicated then deleted
  • 🐛 Wiped all accounts after update

Authenticator App ™

From 24K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Works well
  • 👍 Simple and straightforward
  • 🚀 Functional tool

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unable to remove accounts
  • 🐛 Difficult to cancel subscription
  • 🐛 Doesn't work as expected
  • 🐛 Not user friendly
  • 🐛 Unreliable

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

Authenticator App ™

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login screen freezes
  • QR code scanning issues
  • Accounts not syncing properly
  • Subscription not cancelling

Requested features

3 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Better customer support
  • Easier subscription management

In-app purchases

None

Google Authenticator

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Authenticator App ™

Subscriptions2
  • Authenticator Premium3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Authenticator Premium3 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Google Authenticator free?
Google Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Authenticator App ™ free?
Authenticator App ™ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or Authenticator App ™?
Google Authenticator is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while Authenticator App ™ averages 4.4 from 24K ratings.
Do Google Authenticator or Authenticator App ™ have ads?
Neither Google Authenticator nor Authenticator App ™ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or Authenticator App ™?
Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and Authenticator App ™ every 2 weeks. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator App ™ on September 24, 2026.

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