# 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 18) and ratings volume (1.2M vs 118). Authenticator App's advantage is review sentiment (87% vs 58%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 17 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 118, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of Google Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 87% of 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, Authenticator App every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## 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 (118 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6451119566/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 118 |
| Positive reviews | 58.4% of reviews | **86.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 80 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Zozed Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/1639529139) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Utilities, #109 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-2fa-mfa/id6451119566)

Enhance your online security with two-factor authentication. This app securely stores all your 2FA tokens, adding an extra layer of defense to your accounts. Easily set up by scanning QR codes or manual entry for email, social media, and banking.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication, Secure token storage, QR code scanning, Manual key entry, Time-based one-time passcodes (TOTP), Organize 2FA tokens

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

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator Week Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App ◦ 2FA Auth | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App ◦ 2FA Auth | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Week | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Week | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Week Premium | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Week | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Week | $11.99 | per 7 days |
| Two Factor Fast Authentication | $19.99 | per month |
| Premium Year | $49.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $2.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $4.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator App ◦ 2FA Auth | $5.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $5.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $6.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $7.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $9.99 | one-time |


## 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 118 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 25, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 17, 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.*