# Google Authenticator vs Authenticator App ◦

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Google Authenticator at 59% against Authenticator App ◦'s 7%. Google Authenticator also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.4) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). Authenticator App ◦'s advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Google Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 982, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Google Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 7% of Authenticator App ◦'s.

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator App ◦ every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 28, 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)** | [4.4 (982 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6478947853/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 982 |
| Positive reviews | **58.8% of reviews** | 7.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#7** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 82 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Apex Innovate Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1726107111) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Free · Utilities, #191 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/id6478947853)

This app enhances your digital security by protecting your online privacy and identity. It offers features like privacy detection for photos, two-factor authentication for accounts, secure storage for personal files, and detection of phishing websites. Safely scan QR codes and barcodes to guard against online threats.

**Highlights:** Privacy detection for photos, Two-factor authentication, Secure password-protected folder, Phishing site detection, Secure QR and barcode scanner

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DuoProtec Premium 1 Month | $6.99 | per month |
| DuoProtec Premium 1 Year | $39.99 | per year |
| DuoProtec Premium 1 Year | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⚠️ Misleading app description
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🚫 Not the free Google Authenticator app
- 🔒 Security concerns
- 🤯 Difficult to use/navigate

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription charges without user consent
- Inability to cancel subscription


## 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 4.4 from 982 ratings.

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

Neither Google Authenticator nor Authenticator App ◦ shows ads.

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

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and Authenticator App ◦ every 2 months. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on October 11, 2026 and Authenticator App ◦ on September 28, 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.*