# SIM vs Authenticator

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SIM at none against Authenticator's 2. SIM also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per year. SIM asks for nothing beyond the download.

SIM ships an update monthly, Authenticator every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SIM | Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Size | 35 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 17 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vegait Tecnologia da Informacao Ltda EPP](https://appshunter.io/developer/1418711581) | [AQUAWOOD PTE. LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1774212005) |

## What reviewers say

### SIM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sim/id6445855775)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-and-passkey/id6736977421)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| year | $49.99 | per year |
| lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SIM free?

SIM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Authenticator free?

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

### Do SIM or Authenticator have ads?

Authenticator shows ads; SIM does not.

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

SIM ships an update monthly, and Authenticator every 2 weeks. Most recently, SIM was updated on October 1, 2026 and Authenticator on September 20, 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.*