Comparison

Google Authenticator vs Authenticator App

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

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Google Authenticator4 screens
Authenticator App4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
Google Authenticator versus Authenticator App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoogle AuthenticatorAuthenticator App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.2M ratings) — better3.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews58.4% of reviews — better8.2% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2M — better3
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#3 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013 — better
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoogleAuthenticator

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%

Authenticator App

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews98 reviews
Positive8.2%
Neutral2.0%
Negative89.8%

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

None

Google Authenticator

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Authenticator App

Subscriptions6
  • Authenticator Weekly Plan$5.997 Days
  • Authenticator Weekly Plan$7.997 Days
  • Authenticator Monthly Plan$9.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • 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?
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 3.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Google Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?
Authenticator App shows ads; Google Authenticator does not.
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 September 25, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 23, 2026.

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