# Google Authenticator vs Authenticator App · 2FA

The clearest difference is rating: Google Authenticator at 4.9 against Authenticator App · 2FA's 4.2. Google Authenticator also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 15) and ads (none vs shown). Authenticator App · 2FA's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and device support (5 vs 2). On price and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App · 2FA sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Google Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

Google Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 379, 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 45% of Authenticator App · 2FA's.

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator App · 2FA every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | Authenticator App · 2FA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews)** | [4.2 (379 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa/id6470149516/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 379 |
| Positive reviews | **58.4% of reviews** | 45.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 114 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [FirstOrder.AI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1713063266) |

## 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 · 2FA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa/id6470149516)

This app provides an extra layer of security for your online accounts by generating time-based one-time passwords (TOTP/OTP) for two-factor authentication. It supports numerous services and offers features like encrypted sync, passkey support, and app-level security.

**Highlights:** Generate 2-factor authentication codes, Support for passkeys and passwordless logins, Encrypted sync and backup via iCloud/Google Cloud, App-level security with Face ID/Touch ID, Widgets for home screen access, Organize codes with folders, Import from Google Authenticator

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator PRO Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Monthly Premium | $11.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Monthly Premium | $11.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Monthly Premium | $12.99 | per month |
| Authenticator PRO Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Annual Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator PRO Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator PRO Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| OTP Authenticator PRO Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| OTP Authenticator PRO Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator PRO Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator PRO Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |
| 2FA Authenticator - Pro | $59.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator PRO Lifetime | $79.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Strong security and encryption for 2FA codes
- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
- 🚀 Fast and reliable performance
- 💻 Cross-platform synchronization (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)
- ⌚ Widget support and smartwatch integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Misleading free-to-paid conversion model
- 🚫 Difficult cancellation process
- ⚠️ Accidental subscription charges
- 🔐 Authentication and login issues
- 📱 Mobile version requires paid subscription

**Reported bugs**

- QR code scanner not functioning properly
- Unable to import keys on mobile without payment
- Sync issues between Mac and iOS devices
- Photo-based QR code reading fails
- App incompatible with CachyOS

**Requested features**

- CachyOS/Arch Linux version support
- Clearer pricing and subscription information upfront
- Manual code entry without QR scanner requirement
- Better cross-platform synchronization documentation
- Improved setup instructions for new devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Authenticator free?

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

### Is Authenticator App · 2FA free?

Authenticator App · 2FA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or Authenticator App · 2FA?

Google Authenticator is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while Authenticator App · 2FA averages 4.2 from 379 ratings.

### Do Google Authenticator or Authenticator App · 2FA have ads?

Authenticator App · 2FA shows ads; Google Authenticator does not.

### Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or Authenticator App · 2FA?

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and Authenticator App · 2FA every 3 weeks. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Authenticator App · 2FA on September 24, 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.*