# Google Authenticator vs MeowMate

The clearest difference is update cadence: MeowMate at every 3 weeks against Google Authenticator's every 4 months. MeowMate also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Google Authenticator's advantage is chart position (#5 vs unranked). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, MeowMate every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | MeowMate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | — |
| Positive reviews | 57.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | — |
| Size | 45 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [HONG KONG NEIGHBOR TECHNOLOGY LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1838396913) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Free · Utilities, #166 Top Free (US App Store)

Enhance your online security with two-factor authentication codes generated directly on your device. Sync codes across devices and set up accounts easily with QR codes, even without an internet connection.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication code generation, Offline code generation, Sync codes across devices, QR code setup, Support for multiple accounts, Time-based and counter-based codes

**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


### MeowMate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/meowmate/id6752240839)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Authenticator free?

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

### Is MeowMate free?

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

### Do Google Authenticator or MeowMate have ads?

Neither Google Authenticator nor MeowMate shows ads.

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

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and MeowMate every 3 weeks. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on November 8, 2026 and MeowMate on October 25, 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.*