# Google Authenticator vs 2 factor authentication

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Google Authenticator at 1.2M against 2 factor authentication's 1. Google Authenticator also leads on chart position (#3 vs unranked). 2 factor authentication's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Google Authenticator against 5.0 for 2 factor authentication. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | 2 factor authentication |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2-factor-authentication/id6505051115/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 58.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | — |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Appnap Technologies Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1553618191) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Utilities, #93 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


### 2 factor authentication

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2-factor-authentication/id6505051115)

Enhance your online security with a robust two-step verification process. This app generates time-based one-time passwords for account protection and offers features like encrypted backups and private browsing.

**Highlights:** Two-step verification, Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), Multi-account management, Encrypted backup and sync, Private browsing, Email recovery

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Authenticator free?

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

### Is 2 factor authentication free?

2 factor authentication is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or 2 factor authentication?

2 factor authentication is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while 2 factor authentication averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Google Authenticator or 2 factor authentication have ads?

Neither Google Authenticator nor 2 factor authentication shows ads.

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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.*