Comparison

Google Authenticator vs 2FA Authenticator

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Google Authenticator

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
Read full description

Google Authenticator adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by adding a second step of verification when you sign in. This means that in addition to your password, you'll also need to enter a code that is generated by the Google Authenticator app on your phone. The verification code can be generated by the Google Authenticator app on your phone, even if you don't have a network or cellular connection. • Sync your Authenticator codes to your Google Account and across your devices. This way, you can always access them even if you lose your phone. • Set up your Authenticator accounts automatically with a QR code. This is quick and easy, and it helps to ensure that your codes are set up correctly. • Support for multiple accounts. You can use the Authenticator app to manage multiple accounts, so you don't have to switch between apps every time you need to sign in. • Support for time-based and counter-based code generation. You can choose the type of code generation that best suits your needs. • Transfer accounts between devices with a QR code. This is a convenient way to move your accounts to a new device. To use Google Authenticator with Google, you need to enable 2-Step Verification on your Google Account. To get started visit http://www.google.com/2step

About

2FA Authenticator

Secure your online accounts with this app that generates and stores two-factor authentication codes. Easily scan QR codes for setup and benefit from offline functionality and iCloud backup. Protect your digital identity with robust security features.

Highlights
  • Generate 2FA/MFA tokens
  • Scan QR codes for setup
  • iCloud backup and sync
  • Passcode protection
  • Offline functionality
  • Support for 1000+ services
Features
Read full description

Never get locked out of an account again. AuthenticKey is the 2FA authenticator app built around the one thing other authenticators get wrong: moving to a new iPhone. Generate secure two-factor authentication codes for Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Instagram, GitHub, Coinbase and 1000+ other services — backed up through your private iCloud and ready the moment you sign in on a new device. WHY AUTHENTICKEY Most authenticator apps trap your 2FA codes on a single device. Lose the phone, factory reset, or upgrade to a new iPhone — and you're locked out of every account, hunting for recovery codes you never saved. AuthenticKey fixes this with end-to-end encrypted iCloud sync. Your codes follow your Apple ID, not your hardware. KEY FEATURES • One-tap setup — scan any 2FA QR code in seconds • Encrypted iCloud sync across iPhone and iPad • Apple Watch app — generate codes from your wrist (Premium) • Home Screen widget for instant code access (Premium) • Face ID, Touch ID and passcode lock for the app itself • Auto-clearing clipboard — copied codes wipe after 30 seconds • Works offline — TOTP and HOTP codes generate without internet • Supports SHA-1, SHA-256 and SHA-512 algorithms • Full RFC 6238 (TOTP) and RFC 4226 (HOTP) standard compliance • 11 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Korean, Japanese, Norwegian, Swedish MOVE TO A NEW IPHONE WITHOUT LOSING ACCESS Sign into iCloud on your new device, open AuthenticKey, and every account is exactly where you left it. No screenshots of recovery codes. No 30-minute account recovery flows. No emails to support teams. Migration that actually works. WORKS WITH 1000+ SERVICES Google · Microsoft · Apple · Amazon · Facebook · Instagram · X (Twitter) · Snapchat · TikTok · Discord · GitHub · Slack · Zoom · Dropbox · Coinbase · Binance · Kraken · KuCoin · Crypto.com · PayPal · Stripe · AWS · Azure · Salesforce · Okta · Duo · Cloudflare · Twitch · PlayStation · Xbox · Steam · Epic Games · LinkedIn · Reddit · Shopify · Notion · 1Password · LastPass · Bitwarden · ProtonMail · Tutanota · Fastmail — and any service supporting standard TOTP or HOTP. PERFECT FOR → Crypto traders securing Coinbase, Binance and Kraken accounts → Developers managing AWS, GitHub and Cloudflare access → Remote teams using Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and Slack → Anyone who's lost 2FA codes during an iPhone upgrade → Privacy-conscious users who want their secrets to stay on Apple's hardware HOW WE PROTECT YOUR DATA Your 2FA secrets are encrypted on your device with AES-256-GCM and stored in the iOS Keychain. Sync uses your private iCloud — Apple can't read your codes and neither can we. We never see, store, or transmit your 2FA secrets in any form. For app improvement and crash diagnostics we collect anonymous usage statistics. Your 2FA secrets are never part of that data and never leave your device unencrypted. FREE VS PREMIUM Free: Core 2FA authenticator with iCloud backup, biometric lock and QR scanning. Premium unlocks: • Unlimited accounts • Custom sorting and reordering • Apple Watch sync • Home Screen widget code display • Priority support SUPPORT Email: info@authentickey.app Privacy Policy & Terms: https://authentickey.app/privacy

Screenshots

Google Authenticator4 screens
2FA Authenticator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Google Authenticator at none against 2FA Authenticator's 5. Google Authenticator also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.9 vs 4.5). 2FA Authenticator's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 58%) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. 2FA Authenticator sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Google Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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 154, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of Google Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 75% of 2FA Authenticator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, 2FA Authenticator every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Google Authenticator versus 2FA Authenticator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoogle Authenticator2FA Authenticator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.2M ratings) — better4.5 (154 ratings)
Positive reviews58.4% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.2M — better154
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#3 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB71 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoogleAdSpark OU

Customer experience

Google Authenticator

All ratings1,160,889 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.0%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews1,648 reviews
Positive58.4%
Neutral4.5%
Negative37.1%

2FA Authenticator

All ratings154 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral3.9%
Negative7.8%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative16.7%

Bugs and requests

Google Authenticator

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Codes randomly deleted
  • Accounts wiped after update
  • Duplicated accounts then deleted all
  • Timing issues, codes didn't work

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add scan from photo feature
  • Ability to rename and group accounts
  • Add Apple Watch app
  • Implement cloud backup option

2FA Authenticator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Google Authenticator

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

2FA Authenticator

Subscriptions5
  • Premium Weekly$9.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly Offer$19.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Premium Yearly Trial3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Google Authenticator free?
Google Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is 2FA Authenticator free?
2FA Authenticator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or 2FA Authenticator?
Google Authenticator is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while 2FA Authenticator averages 4.5 from 154 ratings.
Do Google Authenticator or 2FA Authenticator have ads?
2FA Authenticator shows ads; Google Authenticator does not.
Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or 2FA Authenticator?
Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and 2FA Authenticator every 6 weeks. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and 2FA Authenticator on September 24, 2026.

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