# Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is update cadence: Authenticator App at every 4 days against Authenticator's every 5 months. Authenticator's advantage is ratings volume (135 vs 15). On price, rating, ads 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 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 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 4.6 for Authenticator App. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator has 135 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Authenticator ships an update every 5 months, Authenticator App every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 4, 2026 and July 6, 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) | **[4.6 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-duoshield/id6467132147/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **135** | 15 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 127 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ZipoApps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1671444635) | [Stas Miroshko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1705754274) |

## 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-duoshield/id6467132147)

Secure your online accounts with this comprehensive two-factor authentication tool. It offers features like account organization, customizable icons, secure backups, and Face ID protection. Unlock advanced features like QR code scanning and manual 2FA entry with premium subscriptions.

**Highlights:** Account creation and storage, Customizable account folders, Personalized account icons, Secure data export, Light/dark theme UI settings, Face ID app lock, Cross-device sync and backup

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Duo Step Mobile Authentication | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| 2FA-MFA OTP-TOTP Authenticator | $39.99 | per year |
| Annual purchase premium access | $49.99 | 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 App is rated higher. Authenticator averages 4.5 out of 5 from 135 ratings, while Authenticator App averages 4.6 from 15 ratings.

### Do Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?

Both Authenticator and Authenticator App show ads.

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

Authenticator ships an update every 5 months, and Authenticator App every 4 days. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on September 4, 2026 and Authenticator App on July 6, 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.*