# Google Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Google Authenticator at none against Authenticator App's 3. Google Authenticator also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (1.2M vs 15). Authenticator App's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Google Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

Google Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator App every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and July 6, 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)** | [4.6 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-duoshield/id6467132147/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 15 |
| Positive reviews | 58.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Stas Miroshko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1705754274) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Utilities, #82 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-duoshield/id6467132147)

Secure your online accounts with this comprehensive two-factor authentication tool. It offers features like account organization, customizable icons, secure backups, and Face ID protection. Unlock advanced features like QR code scanning and manual 2FA entry with premium subscriptions.

**Highlights:** Account creation and storage, Customizable account folders, Personalized account icons, Secure data export, Light/dark theme UI settings, Face ID app lock, Cross-device sync and backup

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Duo Step Mobile Authentication | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| 2FA-MFA OTP-TOTP Authenticator | $39.99 | per year |
| Annual purchase premium access | $49.99 | 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 4.6 from 15 ratings.

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

Authenticator App shows ads; Google Authenticator does not.

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

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and Authenticator App every 4 days. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator App on July 6, 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.*