# Google Authenticator vs 2FA Authenticator

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | 2FA Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews)** | [4.5 (154 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2fa-authenticator-otp-codes/id6470339286/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 154 |
| Positive reviews | 58.4% of reviews | **75.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 71 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [AdSpark OU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1786861499) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Utilities, #105 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


### 2FA Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2fa-authenticator-otp-codes/id6470339286)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly Offer | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly Trial | $39.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked 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.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*