Google Authenticator vs Authenticator App
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Authenticator App
This app provides a secure way to manage your online accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA). It generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) to protect against unauthorized access and offers features like cloud synchronization, a private photo album, and a security center for enhanced digital safety.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) support
- Generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP)
- Cloud synchronization for data backup
- Private photo and video album
- Security Center with backup and checks
- Metadata remover for photos
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Authenticator App: Strengthen your digital security. In the digital age, Authenticator App is the perfect solution to manage the security of all your online accounts easily and conveniently. This is a simple two-factor authentication (2FA) app that generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), protecting your accounts from hackers by adding an extra layer of security and also protecting your personal data Provides double layer of protection. Features: 1. Support two-step verification on all platforms Authenticator App supports a wide range of services and applications, whether you need to protect bank accounts, social media accounts or emails, Authenticator App can provide strong protection. Generating a unique verification code ensures that only you can access your account, greatly reducing security risks caused by password leaks. The Authenticator app supports the most popular services, including Facebook, Coinbase, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Instagram, Linkedin, Github, Dropbox, and thousands of other providers such as AuthentiCare and Salesforce. 2. Synchronize backup data Realizing users' dual needs for data security and convenience, Authenticator App has launched a synchronization backup function. With cloud synchronization technology, even if you change devices, you don't need to reset the two-step verification for each account, you can restore it directly from the cloud. This not only greatly saves time and effort, but also ensures that all your settings will not be lost if the device is lost or damaged, ensuring data continuity and security. 3. Private photo album In addition to account security, we also understand the importance of personal privacy. Therefore, Authenticator App has built-in privacy album function, allowing you to safely store private photos and videos. These contents will be fully encrypted and only accessible from within the app, ensuring that even if your device falls into the hands of others, these private files cannot be easily viewed. 4.Security Center We provide a comprehensive Security Center to act as a hub for your digital safety. It allows you to securely backup your 2FA codes to prevent data loss and run account security checks to identify potential vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the tool includes a metadata remover that wipes sensitive private information (such as location and device details) from your photos, ensuring your privacy is protected before you share them. Disclaimer: Authenticator App is a third-party authenticator application and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any of the specific services or trademarks mentioned. Information about auto-renewing subscriptions: – Payment will be charged to iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. – Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. – Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. The cost depends on the plan selected. – Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s account settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://au.autheny.com/log/autheny/page?k=privepolicy Terms of use: https://au.autheny.com/log/autheny/page?k=termsofuse
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Google Authenticator at 58% against Authenticator App's 8%. Google Authenticator also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 6). Authenticator App's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (13 vs 16.0). On price and device support 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
Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Google Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.
Google Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 3, 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 8% of Authenticator App's.
Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator App every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Google Authenticator | Authenticator App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (1.2M ratings) — better | 3.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 58.4% of reviews — better | 8.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.2M — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #3 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 39 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Authenticator | |
Customer experience
Google Authenticator
Authenticator App
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
Authenticator App
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Google Authenticator
No in-app purchases
Authenticator App
- Authenticator Weekly Plan$5.997 Days
- Authenticator Weekly Plan$7.997 Days
- Authenticator Monthly Plan$9.991 Month
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- Authenticator Yearly Plan$39.991 Year
- Authenticator Yearly Plan3 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Authenticator Yearly Plan7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Questions
Is Google Authenticator free?
Is Authenticator App free?
Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or Authenticator App?
Do Google Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?
Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or Authenticator App?
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