# Google Authenticator vs Authenticator

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Authenticator at 100% against Google Authenticator's 58%. Google Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 19) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Google Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

Google Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 135, 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 Authenticator'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, Authenticator every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews)** | [4.5 (135 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-mobile-2fa-mfa/id6450538201/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 135 |
| Positive reviews | 58.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 127 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [ZipoApps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1671444635) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Utilities, #85 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 page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-mobile-2fa-mfa/id6450538201)

Enhance your online security with this app that generates time-based one-time passwords for two-factor authentication. It securely stores all your accounts in one place and works offline, offering peace of mind against cyber threats.

**Highlights:** Generates secure TOTP codes, Stores all accounts in one app, Works offline, Secure cloud backup and sync, Biometric and PIN protection, Auto-fill and copy to clipboard

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited access | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| 2FA Authenticator App: Secure | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| 2FA Authenticator App: Secure | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $9.99 | per year |
| Authenticate ID: Authorization | $19.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $19.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $29.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $39.99 | per year |
| Unlimited access | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Authenticator free?

Google Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Authenticator free?

Authenticator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or Authenticator?

Google Authenticator is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while Authenticator averages 4.5 from 135 ratings.

### Do Google Authenticator or Authenticator have ads?

Authenticator shows ads; Google Authenticator does not.

### Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or Authenticator?

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and Authenticator every 5 months. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator on September 4, 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.*