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

Enhance your online security with this app, offering a secure and reliable method to protect your accounts. It generates unique codes for two-factor authentication, ensuring your personal information stays safe.

Highlights
  • Account protection with 2FA
  • Easy setup and management
  • Backup and sync accounts
  • Secure code generation
Features
Read full description

Our Authenticator app is the perfect solution for your online security needs. We designed it to provide you with a secure and reliable way to protect your online accounts. Using advanced security protocols, our app generates unique codes that only you can use to access your accounts, ensuring that your personal information remains safe and secure at all times. Our main feathers: 1.Protect your accounts with 2FA. 2.Easy to setup & manage your accounts. 3.Backup & Sync your accounts. About subscriptions - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours before the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. * Terms of Use: https://auth.skyrisenetworks.com/terms * Privacy Policy: https://auth.skyrisenetworks.com/privacy * Support: https://auth.skyrisenetworks.com/support

Screenshots

Google Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Google Authenticator at none against Authenticator App's 3. Google Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (1.2M vs 3.4K) and review sentiment (58% vs 41%). Authenticator App's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 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 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 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 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 3.4K, 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 41% of Authenticator App's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator App every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

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) — better4.7 (3.4K ratings)
Positive reviews58.4% of reviews — better40.5% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2M — better3.4K
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#3 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB49 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperGoogleSkyRise Networks

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 ratings3,384 ratings
Positive91.9%
Neutral3.9%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews74 reviews
Positive40.5%
Neutral6.8%
Negative52.7%

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 3.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Seamless functionality
  • 🚀 Quick and easy setup
  • 🔒 Robust security features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compatibility issues
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🤯 Confusing user interface
  • 🔒 Unreliable authentication

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

3 issues
  • Unable to scan QR codes
  • Accounts not showing up correctly
  • Repeated login failures

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to add/manage multiple accounts
  • Improved syncing across devices
  • More transparent subscription model

In-app purchases

None

Google Authenticator

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Authenticator App

Subscriptions2
  • Authenticator Monthly Premium3 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Authenticator Yearly Premium3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Authenticator Lifetime Premium$49.99

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 4.7 from 3.4K 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 3 weeks. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 23, 2026.

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