# Google Authenticator vs Authenticator Duo

Google Authenticator and Authenticator Duo both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Authenticator Duo's written reviews are positive against 58% of Google Authenticator's. Authenticator Duo also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 months). Google Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (1.2M vs 14). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator Duo sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Google Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Google Authenticator against 5.0 for Authenticator Duo. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 58% of Google Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 100% of Authenticator Duo's.

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator Duo every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | Authenticator Duo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews) | **[5.0 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-duo-two-factor/id6504300892/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 14 |
| Positive reviews | 58.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Quentin Powell](https://appshunter.io/developer/1751779133) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Utilities, #109 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 Duo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-duo-two-factor/id6504300892)

Secure your online accounts with this app that generates and stores two-factor authentication codes. It offers end-to-end encryption, Face ID/Touch ID access, and encrypted iCloud backups for easy restoration across devices. Operate securely offline and import existing tokens.

**Highlights:** Generate and store 2FA/MFA tokens, Scan QR codes or manually input codes, End-to-end encryption for all codes, Face ID & Touch ID access, Encrypted iCloud backups, Offline operation, Import existing tokens

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly subscription with trial | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly subscription | $6.99 | per 7 days |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Authenticator free?

Google Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Authenticator Duo free?

Authenticator Duo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or Authenticator Duo?

Authenticator Duo is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while Authenticator Duo averages 5.0 from 14 ratings.

### Do Google Authenticator or Authenticator Duo have ads?

Neither Google Authenticator nor Authenticator Duo shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or Authenticator Duo?

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and Authenticator Duo every 2 days. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 25, 2026 and Authenticator Duo on June 1, 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.*