Comparison

Google Authenticator vs FreeOTP Authenticator

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Google Authenticator

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
Read full description

Google Authenticator adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by adding a second step of verification when you sign in. This means that in addition to your password, you'll also need to enter a code that is generated by the Google Authenticator app on your phone. The verification code can be generated by the Google Authenticator app on your phone, even if you don't have a network or cellular connection. • Sync your Authenticator codes to your Google Account and across your devices. This way, you can always access them even if you lose your phone. • Set up your Authenticator accounts automatically with a QR code. This is quick and easy, and it helps to ensure that your codes are set up correctly. • Support for multiple accounts. You can use the Authenticator app to manage multiple accounts, so you don't have to switch between apps every time you need to sign in. • Support for time-based and counter-based code generation. You can choose the type of code generation that best suits your needs. • Transfer accounts between devices with a QR code. This is a convenient way to move your accounts to a new device. To use Google Authenticator with Google, you need to enable 2-Step Verification on your Google Account. To get started visit http://www.google.com/2step

About

FreeOTP Authenticator

Generate one-time passwords for enhanced online account security. This app creates temporary codes that, when used with your regular password, significantly strengthen your login protection. It functions even without an internet connection.

Highlights
  • Generates one-time passwords
  • Works offline (airplane mode)
  • Supports Google, Facebook, GitHub, etc.
  • Compatible with TOTP/HOTP protocols
  • Open source software
Read full description

FreeOTP adds a second layer of security for your online accounts. This works by generating one-time passwords on your mobile devices which can be used in conjunction with your normal password to make your login nearly impossible to hack. These passwords can be generated even when your phone is in airplane mode. FreeOTP works with many of the great online services you already use, including Google, Facebook, Evernote, GitHub and many more! FreeOTP also may work for your private corporate security if they implement the standardized TOTP or HOTP protocols. This includes great enterprise solutions like FreeIPA. FreeOTP is open source and free software! Licensed under the Apache 2.0 license, you can obtain the source code for FreeOTP at https://fedorahosted.org/freeotp for review or modification. Contributions are welcome!

Screenshots

Google Authenticator4 screens
FreeOTP Authenticator2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Google Authenticator at 4.9 against FreeOTP Authenticator's 3.2. Google Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (1.2M vs 173) and review sentiment (58% vs 37%). FreeOTP Authenticator's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Google Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Authenticator has 1.2M ratings behind it against 173, 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 37% of FreeOTP Authenticator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, FreeOTP Authenticator every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Google Authenticator versus FreeOTP Authenticator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoogle AuthenticatorFreeOTP Authenticator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.2M ratings) — better3.2 (173 ratings)
Positive reviews58.4% of reviews — better37.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2M — better173
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#3 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoogleRed Hat

Customer experience

Google Authenticator

All ratings1,160,889 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.0%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews1,648 reviews
Positive58.4%
Neutral4.5%
Negative37.1%

FreeOTP Authenticator

All ratings173 ratings
Positive49.1%
Neutral9.8%
Negative41.0%
Written reviews189 reviews
Positive37.0%
Neutral10.6%
Negative52.4%

User reviews

Google Authenticator

From 1.2M App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly
  • 🔒 Secure authentication
  • 🚀 Simple and fast
  • 🔒 Reliable security
  • 👍 Easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Randomly deleted all codes
  • 🐛 Unreliable, lost access to accounts
  • 🐛 Timing issues, codes didn't work
  • 🐛 Accounts duplicated then deleted
  • 🐛 Wiped all accounts after update

FreeOTP Authenticator

From 173 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Simple and lightweight
  • 🔒 Open source and privacy-focused
  • 👍 Clean and intuitive interface
  • 💡 Customizable icons for accounts

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs after recent updates
  • 🔒 Lack of backup/restore functionality
  • 💡 Limited customization options
  • 👎 Unable to edit or delete accounts

Bugs and requests

Google Authenticator

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Codes randomly deleted
  • Accounts wiped after update
  • Duplicated accounts then deleted all
  • Timing issues, codes didn't work

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add scan from photo feature
  • Ability to rename and group accounts
  • Add Apple Watch app
  • Implement cloud backup option

FreeOTP Authenticator

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Camera not working for QR code scanning
  • App crashing on launch or when unlocking accounts
  • UI issues on larger iOS devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add ability to manually enter account details
  • Implement iCloud/cloud backup sync
  • Allow renaming and deleting of accounts
  • Provide Apple Watch support

In-app purchases

None

Google Authenticator

No in-app purchases

None

FreeOTP Authenticator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Google Authenticator free?
Google Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FreeOTP Authenticator free?
FreeOTP Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Google Authenticator or FreeOTP Authenticator?
Google Authenticator is rated higher. Google Authenticator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2M ratings, while FreeOTP Authenticator averages 3.2 from 173 ratings.
Do Google Authenticator or FreeOTP Authenticator have ads?
Neither Google Authenticator nor FreeOTP Authenticator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Google Authenticator or FreeOTP Authenticator?
Google Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, and FreeOTP Authenticator every 6 months. Most recently, Google Authenticator was updated on September 24, 2026 and FreeOTP Authenticator on September 23, 2026.

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