# Google Authenticator vs Authenticator・

The clearest difference is update cadence: Authenticator・ at every 2 weeks against Google Authenticator's every 4 months. Google Authenticator's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (1.2M vs 6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

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 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator・ every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and August 21, 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 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator/id6462883539/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 58.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 75 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Techgear Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/524933495) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Free · Utilities, #185 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/id6462883539)

This app provides a secure all-in-one solution for managing your digital life. It combines two-factor authentication, a password manager, a private browser, and an ad blocker to enhance your online security and privacy.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication code generation, Secure password vault with auto-fill, Private browsing without history or tracking, Ad blocking for faster loading and privacy, Cross-device synchronization, Secure backup and restore for 2FA data

**Features:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## 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 no in-app purchases.

### 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 6 ratings.

### Do Google Authenticator or Authenticator・ have ads?

Neither Google Authenticator nor Authenticator・ shows ads.

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

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and Authenticator・ every 2 weeks. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 27, 2026 and Authenticator・ on August 21, 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.*