# Google Authenticator vs Authenticator App ™

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | Authenticator App ™ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews)** | [4.4 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6443508147/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 24K |
| Positive reviews | **58.4% of reviews** | 29.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Codenhagen.IO ApS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1617641724) |

## 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


### Authenticator App ™

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6443508147)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Premium | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Better customer support
- Easier subscription management


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