# Google Authenticator vs Authenticator App

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.

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.

## 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)** | [3.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-secure/id6479735490/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **58.4% of reviews** | 8.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Authenticator](https://appshunter.io/developer/1737163388) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Utilities, #110 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-2fa-secure/id6479735490)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator Weekly Plan | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Weekly Plan | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Monthly Plan | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Yearly Plan | $39.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Yearly Plan | $39.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Yearly Plan | $39.99 | per year |


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