# IR QR Scanner vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: IR QR Scanner at none against Authenticator App's 2. IR QR Scanner also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Authenticator App's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 months) and device support (4 vs 2). On price there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. IR QR Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

IR QR Scanner ships an update every 5 months, Authenticator App every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | IR QR Scanner | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Size | 44 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ingersoll Rand](https://appshunter.io/developer/482314546) | [4ingens](https://appshunter.io/developer/1661356024) |

## What reviewers say

### IR QR Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ir-qr-scanner/id6443503421)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-safe-2fa/id6753803401)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Week Plan | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| 1 Year Plan | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is IR QR Scanner free?

IR QR Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Authenticator App free?

Authenticator App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do IR QR Scanner or Authenticator App have ads?

Authenticator App shows ads; IR QR Scanner does not.

### Which is updated more often, IR QR Scanner or Authenticator App?

IR QR Scanner ships an update every 5 months, and Authenticator App every 2 weeks. Most recently, IR QR Scanner was updated on September 17, 2026 and Authenticator App on October 12, 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.*