Comparison

Pendulum vs Authenticator App · 2FA

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Pendulum

This app helps you manage your pen pal relationships by tracking correspondence. Record when you send and receive letters, note writing materials, and set reminders to stay in touch. Sync your data across devices for seamless management.

Highlights
  • Track sent and received letters
  • Record pen, ink, and paper used
  • Set reminders to write and post
  • Monitor letter delivery times
  • iCloud sync across devices
Read full description

Pendulum - keep track of your pen pals! • Add your friends, record when you send them letters or they send something to you. See how long it takes for your letters to arrive! • Record what pen, ink, and paper you used to write to each person, to keep the variety going each time you write. • Reminders to write back, or to post letters you've written but have sat by the front door for ages; you won't forget to stay in touch again. • Sync via iCloud, so you can keep up to date regardless of what device you have to hand.

About

Authenticator App · 2FA

This app provides an extra layer of security for your online accounts by generating time-based one-time passwords (TOTP/OTP) for two-factor authentication. It supports numerous services and offers features like encrypted sync, passkey support, and app-level security.

Highlights
  • Generate 2-factor authentication codes
  • Support for passkeys and passwordless logins
  • Encrypted sync and backup via iCloud/Google Cloud
  • App-level security with Face ID/Touch ID
  • Widgets for home screen access
  • Organize codes with folders
  • Import from Google Authenticator
Features
Read full description

Authenticator App is a highly secure application designed to provide two-factor authentication (2FA) for your online accounts. By generating unique security token/time-based one-time password (TOTP/OTP), the 2FA Authenticator app provides an extra layer of protection to your accounts when logging in, mitigating the risks of unauthorized access and identity theft and managing all your device online apps 2-factor authentication codes with just one authentication app. Support logging in with passkeys and accounts synchronization across all kinds of smartphones, tablets and mac using iCloud & Google Cloud. We support any service that provides 2 step verification, including the most popular services like Microsoft, Google, Facebook, TikTok, PayPal, Amazon, Snapchat, Coinbase, Roblox, Discord, Twitch, Reddit, Epic, SAP, Shopify, Login.gov, Kick, Activision, NVIDIA, LastPass, Sony, One Healthcare ID, crypto, Stripe, Rockstar, Sprintax, Sterling, Ubisoft, Autotask, Instagram, Air Force, GitHub, mo.gov. Our 2fa Authenticator app ensures the security of your personal data and Apple passwords, safeguarding them from hackers and malicious attacks. Download this authenticator (T)OTP manager now to fortify your digital security! Key Features: 1. Store and generate 2-factor Authentication code/security token. The 2 step verification code will update to a new one every 30 seconds. 2. Easy to setup two-factor Authentication. Scan QR Code or enter manually to add Authenticator secure ID, support import from Google Authenticator. 3. User-friendly guide. The 2FA authentication application has instructions that describe basic steps, such as adding 2FA/MFA/(T)OTP Code. 4. Encrypted sync & backup using iCloud & Google Cloud. Sync your accounts across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and any other smartphones or tablets. 5. Backup codes & Recovery codes. Easily manage and recognize codes using OCR. 6. Support Passkeys. Enhance account security with passwordless logins and prevent hacking attacks. 7. Support Passwords. Auto generate strong passwords and enjoy AutoFill. 8. Widgets. You can access and copy your two factor Authentication Code on homescreen. 9. Live Activities. You can access the copied 2 step verification code & its validity time on Dynamic Island. 10. App level security by Face ID/Touch ID. You are the only one who can read your two factor authentication otp codes. 11. Folders. Too many keys? Don't worry, manage your keys with custom groups. 12. Support 14 languages: English, German, French, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Polish, Ukrainian. Subscription Terms: This (T)OTP Apple password/passkey authentication app offers monthly or annual subscriptions to provide you with unlimited access to all features while you maintain an active subscription. 1. Payment will be charged to the credit card connected to your iTunes Account when you confirm the initial subscription purchase. 2. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. 3. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours before the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. 4. You may manage your subscription and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after the purchase. 5. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. If you have any thoughts, questions or suggestions about our security service app, please feel free to contact us at feedback@firstorder.ai. Home Page: https://authenticator.firstorder.ai Terms of Use: https://authenticator.firstorder.ai/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://authenticator.firstorder.ai/privacy-policy-authenticator

Screenshots

Pendulum4 screens
Authenticator App · 2FA4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Pendulum at free with in-app purchases against Authenticator App · 2FA's subscription. Pendulum also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (67% vs 45%). Authenticator App · 2FA's advantage is ratings volume (379 vs 16) and device support (5 vs 2). On price, rating and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Pendulum sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Authenticator App · 2FA sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Pendulum against 4.2 for Authenticator App · 2FA. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator App · 2FA has 379 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of Pendulum's written reviews are positive against 45% of Authenticator App · 2FA's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pendulum ships an update every 9 days, Authenticator App · 2FA every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Pendulum versus Authenticator App · 2FA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPendulumAuthenticator App · 2FA
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (16 ratings)4.2 (379 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better45.3% of reviews
Number of ratings16379 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB114 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperBenjamin CardyShanghai FirstOrder Technology Co., Ltd

Customer experience

Pendulum

All ratings16 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral11.1%
Negative22.2%

Authenticator App · 2FA

All ratings379 ratings
Positive81.3%
Neutral1.8%
Negative16.9%
Written reviews64 reviews
Positive45.3%
Neutral7.8%
Negative46.9%

Bugs and requests

Pendulum

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Authenticator App · 2FA

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • QR code scanner not functioning properly
  • Unable to import keys on mobile without payment
  • Sync issues between Mac and iOS devices
  • Photo-based QR code reading fails
  • App incompatible with CachyOS
Show 2 more
  • Accidental subscription triggering
  • Cancellation form submission failures

Requested features

5 requests
  • CachyOS/Arch Linux version support
  • Clearer pricing and subscription information upfront
  • Manual code entry without QR scanner requirement
  • Better cross-platform synchronization documentation
  • Improved setup instructions for new devices

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Pendulum

One-time5
  • Extra Fine Tip$0.99
  • Fine Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$3.99
Show 2 more
  • Broad Tip$5.99
  • Stub Tip$9.99
14 purchases

Authenticator App · 2FA

Subscriptions10
  • Authenticator PRO Weekly3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Authenticator Monthly Premium3 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • Authenticator Monthly Premium$11.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Authenticator Monthly Premium3 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Authenticator PRO Monthly$12.991 Month
  • Authenticator Annual Premium$29.991 Year
  • Authenticator PRO Yearly$29.991 Year
  • Authenticator PRO Yearly3 Days trial2 variants$39.991 Year
  • OTP Authenticator PRO Yearly$39.991 Year
  • OTP Authenticator PRO Yearly$49.991 Year
One-time4
  • Authenticator PRO Lifetime$39.99
  • Authenticator PRO Lifetime$59.99
  • 2FA Authenticator - Pro$59.99
Show 1 more
  • Authenticator PRO Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is Pendulum free?
Pendulum is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Authenticator App · 2FA free?
Authenticator App · 2FA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pendulum or Authenticator App · 2FA?
Pendulum and Authenticator App · 2FA are both rated 4.2 out of 5 on the App Store, from 16 and 379 ratings respectively.
Do Pendulum or Authenticator App · 2FA have ads?
Authenticator App · 2FA shows ads; Pendulum does not.
Which is updated more often, Pendulum or Authenticator App · 2FA?
Pendulum ships an update every 9 days, and Authenticator App · 2FA every 3 weeks. Most recently, Pendulum was updated on September 10, 2026 and Authenticator App · 2FA on September 24, 2026.

Other comparisons