# Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is ads: Authenticator App at none against Authenticator's shown. Authenticator App also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). Authenticator's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 87%) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and Authenticator App sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Authenticator against 4.4 for Authenticator App. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 135 and 118 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 87% of Authenticator App's.

Authenticator ships an update every 5 months, Authenticator App every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 4, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (135 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-mobile-2fa-mfa/id6450538201/reviews)** | [4.4 (118 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6451119566/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **135** | 118 |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 86.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 127 MB | 80 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ZipoApps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1671444635) | [Zozed Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/1639529139) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-mobile-2fa-mfa/id6450538201)

Enhance your online security with this app that generates time-based one-time passwords for two-factor authentication. It securely stores all your accounts in one place and works offline, offering peace of mind against cyber threats.

**Highlights:** Generates secure TOTP codes, Stores all accounts in one app, Works offline, Secure cloud backup and sync, Biometric and PIN protection, Auto-fill and copy to clipboard

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

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited access | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| 2FA Authenticator App: Secure | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| 2FA Authenticator App: Secure | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $9.99 | per year |
| Authenticate ID: Authorization | $19.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $19.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $29.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $39.99 | per year |
| Unlimited access | $49.99 | per year |


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6451119566)

Enhance your online security with two-factor authentication. This app securely stores all your 2FA tokens, adding an extra layer of defense to your accounts. Easily set up by scanning QR codes or manual entry for email, social media, and banking.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication, Secure token storage, QR code scanning, Manual key entry, Time-based one-time passcodes (TOTP), Organize 2FA tokens

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

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator Week Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App ◦ 2FA Auth | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator App ◦ 2FA Auth | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Week | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Week | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator Week Premium | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Week | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Week | $11.99 | per 7 days |
| Two Factor Fast Authentication | $19.99 | per month |
| Premium Year | $49.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $2.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $4.99 | one-time |
| Authenticator App ◦ 2FA Auth | $5.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $5.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $6.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $7.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator free?

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

### Is Authenticator App free?

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

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

Authenticator is rated higher. Authenticator averages 4.5 out of 5 from 135 ratings, while Authenticator App averages 4.4 from 118 ratings.

### Do Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?

Authenticator shows ads; Authenticator App does not.

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

Authenticator ships an update every 5 months, and Authenticator App every 3 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on September 4, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 17, 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.*