# Google Authenticator vs Real PIN

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Google Authenticator at none against Real PIN's 1. Google Authenticator also leads on chart position (#3 vs unranked). Real PIN's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Real PIN sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Google Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Real PIN fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | Real PIN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | — |
| Positive reviews | 57.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 38 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [TAKASHI KOJIMA](https://appshunter.io/developer/6776510628) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Utilities, #78 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


### Real PIN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-pin-passcode-keeper/id6808472106)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Real PIN Premium | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Authenticator free?

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

### Is Real PIN free?

Real PIN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Google Authenticator or Real PIN have ads?

Neither Google Authenticator nor Real PIN shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or Real PIN?

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and Real PIN fortnightly. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on November 4, 2026 and Real PIN on October 31, 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.*