# Authenticator App vs Safe IM

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Safe IM at none against Authenticator App's 3. Safe IM also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 10 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Safe IM asks for nothing beyond the download.

Authenticator App ships an update every 10 months, Safe IM every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App | Safe IM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-safeauth/id6450025147/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **9** | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 42 MB | 133 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **12.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [SafeAuth Services.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1691657534) | [Statys Tech Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1651104307) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-safeauth/id6450025147)

This app provides a secure and user-friendly way to add an extra layer of protection to your online accounts. It generates one-time codes for two-factor authentication and offers cloud backup to prevent data loss. Protect your accounts from hacking and phishing with this efficient solution.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication (2FA) code generation, Cloud backup and sync across devices, User-friendly interface with 2FA guides, Offline code generation, Supports thousands of online services, Protection against hacking and phishing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Membership | $59.99 | one-time |


### Safe IM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safe-im/id6677030969)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator App free?

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

### Is Safe IM free?

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

### Do Authenticator App or Safe IM have ads?

Neither Authenticator App nor Safe IM shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Authenticator App or Safe IM?

Authenticator App ships an update every 10 months, and Safe IM every 3 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator App was updated on June 1, 2026 and Safe IM on September 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.*