# Authenticator App ™ vs Authly

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Authly at 65% against Authenticator App ™'s 29%. Authenticator App ™'s advantage is ratings volume (24K vs 216) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App ™ sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Authly sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator App ™ holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator App ™ has 24K ratings behind it against 216, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 29% of Authenticator App ™'s written reviews are positive against 65% of Authly's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Authenticator App ™ ships an update every 2 weeks, Authly every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App ™ | Authly |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6443508147/reviews)** | [4.2 (216 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authly/id6476198484/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **24K** | 216 |
| Positive reviews | 29.2% of reviews | **64.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 19 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Codenhagen.IO ApS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1617641724) | [Appios Bilisim](https://appshunter.io/developer/1796567865) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator App ™

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6443508147)

This app provides a secure way to manage two-factor authentication (2FA) for your online accounts. It generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) that update every 30 seconds, offering an extra layer of security without needing an internet connection. Features include iCloud backup, cross-device synchronization, and biometric unlock.

**Highlights:** Time-based one-time password (TOTP) generation, Secure iCloud backup and encryption, Synchronization across all devices, Unlock with FaceID or password, 100% Ad-Free experience, Compatible with over 2,500 websites and services

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Premium | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Works well
- 👍 Simple and straightforward
- 🚀 Functional tool

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unable to remove accounts
- 🐛 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 🐛 Doesn't work as expected
- 🐛 Not user friendly
- 🐛 Unreliable

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- QR code scanning issues
- Accounts not syncing properly
- Subscription not cancelling

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Better customer support
- Easier subscription management


### Authly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authly/id6476198484)

This app provides secure 2FA verification codes for over 2,500 websites and services. It offers seamless integration with Apple Watch, a support widget, and robust encryption for your data. Easily link accounts by scanning QR codes and enjoy synchronized access across all your devices.

**Highlights:** 2FA verification codes, QR code account linking, Support for 2,500+ websites, Apple Watch integration, In-app support widget, Encrypted data storage, Cross-device synchronization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Access, 1 Week | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Access, 1 Month | $12.99 | per month |
| Premium Access, 1 Year | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast code generation for authentication
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 🔒 Secure two-factor authentication
- 💡 Widget feature for lock screen access
- 📱 Import/export functionality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Requires payment for full features
- 🎭 Deceptive app naming (similar to 'Authy')
- ⏳ 10-second wait time on startup without payment
- 🚫 Cannot export without paying
- 😤 Poor customer support

**Reported bugs**

- QR code scanning not working properly
- Account creation hyperlink non-functional
- Clicking wrong account when editing
- Support message box fails to send
- Confirmation emails sent to incorrect addresses

**Requested features**

- Better account name display without truncation
- Improved icon/list view for managing hundreds of accounts
- Clearer setup instructions
- Video tutorial improvements
- Better organization for large account collections


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator App ™ free?

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

### Is Authly free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Authenticator App ™ or Authly?

Authenticator App ™ is rated higher. Authenticator App ™ averages 4.4 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Authly averages 4.2 from 216 ratings.

### Do Authenticator App ™ or Authly have ads?

Neither Authenticator App ™ nor Authly shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Authenticator App ™ or Authly?

Authenticator App ™ ships an update every 2 weeks, and Authly every 5 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator App ™ was updated on September 25, 2026 and Authly on September 21, 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.*