# Google Authenticator vs Authenticator ℠ App

The clearest difference is rating: Google Authenticator at 4.9 against Authenticator ℠ App's 4.3. Google Authenticator also leads on review sentiment (58% vs 19%) and in-app purchases (none vs 17). Authenticator ℠ App's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, chart position, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator ℠ App sells 13 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 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 5.4K, 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 19% of Authenticator ℠ App's.

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator ℠ App every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 26, 2026.

## 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)** | [4.3 (5.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6754900760/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 5.4K |
| Positive reviews | **58.4% of reviews** | 18.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#4** | #8 |
| Size | 39 MB | 152 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [BEGAMOB GLOBAL LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1581766117) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #4 Top Free · Utilities, #129 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/id6754900760)

**Currently charting:** #8 Top Grossing · Utilities, #25 Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

Secure your online accounts with standards-based two-factor authentication. This app generates time-based one-time passwords directly on your device, offering a reliable second step for sign-ins without relying on SMS codes. Protect personal and work accounts across various platforms.

**Highlights:** Secure TOTP verification codes, Fast and easy account setup, Full control over 2FA accounts, App lock with Face ID, Touch ID, or PIN, Built-in password storage, Private in-app browser

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

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator Weekly Premium | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Premium – Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Unlimited Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Full Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Premium Week | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Pro – Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Weekly Premium | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Weekly Premium | $8.90 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Weekly Premium | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator - Pro Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Unlimited Access | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator - Pro Weekly | $14.90 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Premium Year | $49.99 | 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 4.3 from 5.4K 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 weeks. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 26, 2026 and Authenticator ℠ App on September 26, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Google Authenticator or Authenticator ℠ App?

Google Authenticator currently peaks at #4 in the App Store charts, and Authenticator ℠ App at #8. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*