GMX vs Authenticator by Hottub
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
GMX
Manage your email, cloud storage, and news in one convenient app. Features a smart inbox that automatically categorizes emails for better organization and a secure cloud for file backup and sharing. Enjoy customizable push notifications and PIN protection for enhanced security.
- Smart Inbox for automatic email categorization
- Secure cloud storage for file backup and sharing
- Customizable push notifications
- PIN protection for secure access
- Support for multiple GMX mail accounts
- Battery-saving email push service
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Simple, secure, and up to date With the official GMX Mail app, you have access to your emails and files* anytime. Intuitive and secure Your inbox is clearly organized into categories, filters unwanted newsletters, and neatly displays online orders and parcel tracking (e.g., Deutsche Post, DHL). In the integrated cloud, you can easily store and share your files and photos. Protected by trusted GMX security standards. You’ll also receive up-to-date news from around the world. ------------------------------------------------ GMX FreeMail at a glance: EMAIL - Send and receive encrypted emails - Smart inbox: Automatic inbox sorting (orders, newsletters, social media) - Optional: AI-generated subject suggestions - Add multiple GMX accounts - Parcel tracking and shipment details directly in your inbox (e.g., DHL, Deutsche Post, DPD, GLS) - Mail notification: Know which letters are on their way—free of charge via email, in cooperation with Deutsche Post - Sync contacts and calendar - PIN protection and two-factor authentication - FreeMail or premium upgrades with additional storage and additional features PHOTOS & FILES* - Secure cloud storage for photos, videos, and documents - Automatic photo backup from your smartphone - Easily share files and photos via link NEWS (only available in German) - Personalized news overview (politics, knowledge, entertainment, sports, local news) - Optional push notifications for breaking news ------------------------------------------------ ABOUT GMX GMX is one of Europe’s leading email providers—with over 25 years of experience. Millions of users trust in strong European data protection and top-level security for their emails and data. → Discover the GMX app now and secure your preferred @gmx.net address! ------------------------------------------------ Terms of Use: https://www.gmx.co.uk/company/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://www.gmx.co.uk/company/privacypolicy/ * The cloud service will only be available through a paid Cloud Upgrade in Austria from October 7th 2026.
Authenticator by Hottub
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Authenticator by Hottub is a free two-factor authenticator for iPhone and Apple Watch. It makes the one-time codes that protect your accounts, keeps your setup keys encrypted on your iPhone, and moves with you through encrypted backups. No ads, no tracking, and no account required. ADD ANY ACCOUNT THAT SUPPORTS 2FA Turn on two-factor authentication for any website or app that offers an authenticator app, then scan its QR code or type its setup key. Authenticator by Hottub makes standard time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), the six- or eight-digit codes almost every service uses. MOVE FROM GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR IN ONE SCAN Export your accounts from Google Authenticator, then scan the QR codes or pick the screenshots from your photo library. Large exports that span several QR codes are fine. You review every account on your iPhone before anything is added, and duplicates are skipped. FIND THE RIGHT CODE FAST Search by service, account or group, keep favorites at the top, and tap a code to copy it. A countdown shows when each code changes, and VoiceOver reads codes digit by digit. ENCRYPTED, AND HIDDEN WHEN IT SHOULD BE Setup keys live in an encrypted vault on your iPhone. Turn on app lock to require Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. Codes stay hidden in the app switcher, during screen recording, mirroring and AirPlay. BACKUPS YOU CONTROL Make an encrypted backup locked with a passphrase only you know, and restore every account on a new iPhone in a minute. Hottub can never open it. Encrypted cloud backup is optional when you connect a Hottub account. APPROVE SIGN-INS WITH NUMBER MATCHING Connect a Hottub account and approve Hottub sign-ins from your phone or Apple Watch. To approve, tap the number shown on the screen you're signing in on; a wrong number blocks the sign-in. Approving needs Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. Deny is always one tap, and "This wasn't me" reports a sign-in you didn't start. WORKS WITH THE SERVICES YOU USE Any service that offers "authenticator app" sign-in works, including Google, Microsoft, Proton, Amazon, GitHub, Dropbox, Discord, Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, X, Slack, Coinbase, Binance and your company's single sign-on. SHA-1, SHA-256 and SHA-512 codes and 30- or 60-second periods are supported. APPLE WATCH The Apple Watch companion shows Hottub sign-in requests and lets you approve one by tapping the matching number, or deny it, right from your wrist. Setup keys, codes and backups never leave your iPhone. HOTTUB DEVICES If you own supported Hottub devices, Authenticator by Hottub shows the exact operation, the devices it targets and when it expires before you confirm it with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. Your confirmation covers that one request only; safety checks stay on the device. PRIVATE BY DESIGN The authenticator works signed out and offline. Your setup keys are never uploaded unless you turn on encrypted cloud backup, and Hottub cannot read them even then. WHAT YOU GET - TOTP codes for any service that supports authenticator apps - QR scanner, setup-key entry, and Google Authenticator import from camera or screenshots - Search, favorites, groups, countdowns and tap-to-copy - Encrypted vault with optional Face ID, Touch ID or passcode lock - Codes hidden from screen recording, mirroring and the app switcher - Encrypted backup and restore to a new iPhone, locked by your passphrase - Optional Hottub sign-in approvals with number matching, on iPhone and Apple Watch - Owner confirmation for supported Hottub devices, with the exact operation shown before you approve - Free, with no ads and no tracking GOOD TO KNOW - Codes depend on your iPhone's clock. Keep "Set Automatically" on in Settings > General > Date & Time. - Turn on app lock if anyone else ever uses your iPhone. - Write down your backup passphrase. Nobody, including Hottub, can recover it. - Keep your services' recovery codes somewhere safe, as you would with any authenticator.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Authenticator by Hottub at none against GMX's 19. Authenticator by Hottub also leads on ads (none vs shown). GMX's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. GMX sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Authenticator by Hottub asks for nothing beyond the download.
GMX ships an update fortnightly, Authenticator by Hottub every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | GMX | Authenticator by Hottub |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (17K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 76.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 17K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 373 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 1&1 Mail & Media GmbH | Hottub |
Bugs and requests
GMX
Reported bugs
3 issues- Frequent sign-outs
- Inconsistent sync between devices
- Inability to access certain folders
Requested features
5 requests- Customizable font sizes
- Dark mode option
- Improved spam filtering
- Better integration with other apps
- Ability to schedule emails
Authenticator by Hottub
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
GMX
- Cloud 30 GB3 variants$0.991 Month
- TrackFree$1.491 Month
- adfree App$1.991 Month
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- Cloud 100 GB$1.991 Month
- Cloud 150 GB3 variants$2.491 Month
- Cloud 250 GB2 variants$3.491 Month
- GMX ProMail2 variants$3.991 Month
- GMX ProMail2 variants$4.491 Month
- GMX TopMail$6.991 Month
- AdFree$22.901 Year
- GMX ProMail$49.991 Year
- GMX TopMail$69.991 Year
Authenticator by Hottub
No in-app purchases









