# Google Authenticator vs FreeOTP Authenticator

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.

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

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Authenticator | FreeOTP Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-authenticator/id388497605/reviews)** | [3.2 (173 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freeotp-authenticator/id872559395/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2M** | 173 |
| Positive reviews | **58.4% of reviews** | 37.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 39 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Red Hat](https://appshunter.io/developer/533936015) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Utilities, #82 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


### FreeOTP Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freeotp-authenticator/id872559395)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*