# Cloud Authenticator vs Authenticator

The clearest difference is monetization model: Authenticator at freemium against Cloud Authenticator's subscription. Authenticator also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 5 months). Cloud Authenticator's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 75%). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cloud Authenticator sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Authenticator sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Cloud Authenticator ships an update every 5 months, Authenticator every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cloud Authenticator | Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-app/id6642706929/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **2.5K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 74.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Size | 90 MB | 202 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [DEVSIG TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1650077948) | [Vitalii Kuprenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1763634127) |

## What reviewers say

### Cloud Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloud-authenticator-mfa-and-2fa/id6443858715)

This app generates two-step verification codes for enhanced online account security. It offers encrypted cloud backups, multi-device synchronization, and offline access to your authentication tokens.

**Highlights:** Generate 2-Step Verification codes, TOTP and HMAC support, Encrypted cloud backups, Multi-device synchronization, Offline token generation, Supports thousands of accounts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Ad-Free Experience | $3.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade To Premium | $10.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade To Premium | $12.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade To Premium Gold Badge | $29.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade To Premium Gold Badge | $33.99 | one-time |


### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-app/id6642706929)

Secure your online accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA). Easily generate and store one-time codes by scanning QR codes or entering details manually. Offers data breach monitoring and a basic password manager for free, with premium features available via subscription.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication (2FA) code generation, QR code scanning for setup, Broad service compatibility, Data breach monitoring, Basic password manager, Unlimited 2FA accounts (subscription), Unlimited password manager with autofill (subscription)

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

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly PRO Access | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly PRO Access | $4.99 | per month |
| Weekly PRO Access | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly PRO Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited Access | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly PRO Access | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly PRO Access | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly PRO Access | $11.99 | per 7 days |
| Annual Pro Access | $29.99 | per year |
| Annual Unlimited Access | $39.99 | per year |
| Annual Pro Access | $59.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Access | $59.99 | per year |
| Forever Unlimited Access | $59.99 | one-time |
| Forever Unlimited Access | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick setup
- 🔒 Secure authentication
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 👍 Works flawlessly

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Charges users despite cancellation
- 🐛 Incompatible with some services

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Unable to access 2FA for some services

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cloud Authenticator free?

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

### Is Authenticator free?

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

### Do Cloud Authenticator or Authenticator have ads?

Authenticator shows ads; Cloud Authenticator does not.

### Which is updated more often, Cloud Authenticator or Authenticator?

Cloud Authenticator ships an update every 5 months, and Authenticator every 4 weeks. Most recently, Cloud Authenticator was updated on September 30, 2026 and Authenticator 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.*