# Google Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Google Authenticator at none against Authenticator App's 12. Google Authenticator also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (1.2M vs 908). Authenticator App's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Google Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

Google Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 908, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Google Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 38% of Authenticator App's.

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator App every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 11, 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)** | [4.6 (908 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6505110382/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 908 |
| Positive reviews | **58.8% of reviews** | 37.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 320 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [A1Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/6801470556) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Free · Utilities, #100 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-mfa/id6505110382)

Secure your online accounts with two-factor and multi-factor authentication. Generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) and OTP codes for fast, reliable logins. Includes a built-in password manager and encrypted backup for all your credentials.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication (2FA), Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), Built-in password manager, Encrypted backup and sync, Import from other authenticator apps, Offline code generation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Weekly Plan | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Weekly Plan | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Weekly Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Weekly Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly Plan | $59.99 | 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 4.6 from 908 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 3 weeks. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on October 12, 2026 and Authenticator App on October 11, 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.*