# Authenticator vs Authenticator

The clearest difference is update cadence: Authenticator at every 3 weeks against Authenticator's every 5 months. Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (2.5K vs 135) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Authenticator's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 75%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator has 2.5K ratings behind it against 135, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 75% of Authenticator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Authenticator ships an update every 5 months, Authenticator every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 4, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (135 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-mobile-2fa-mfa/id6450538201/reviews) | **[4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-app/id6642706929/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 135 | **2.5K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 74.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | **#190** |
| Size | 127 MB | 202 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ZipoApps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1671444635) | [Vitalii Kuprenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1763634127) |

## 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 page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-app/id6642706929)

**Currently charting:** #190 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

Secure your online accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA). Easily generate and store one-time codes by scanning QR codes or entering details manually. Offers data breach monitoring and a basic password manager for free, with premium features available via subscription.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication (2FA) code generation, QR code scanning for setup, Broad service compatibility, Data breach monitoring, Basic password manager, Unlimited 2FA accounts (subscription), Unlimited password manager with autofill (subscription)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly PRO Access | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly PRO Access | $4.99 | per month |
| Weekly PRO Access | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly PRO Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited Access | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly PRO Access | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly PRO Access | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly PRO Access | $11.99 | per 7 days |
| Annual Pro Access | $29.99 | per year |
| Annual Unlimited Access | $39.99 | per year |
| Annual Pro Access | $59.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Access | $59.99 | per year |
| Forever Unlimited Access | $59.99 | one-time |
| Forever Unlimited Access | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick setup
- 🔒 Secure authentication
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 👍 Works flawlessly

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Charges users despite cancellation
- 🐛 Incompatible with some services

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Unable to access 2FA for some services

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator free?

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

### Is Authenticator free?

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

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

Authenticator is rated higher. Authenticator averages 4.5 out of 5 from 135 ratings, while Authenticator averages 4.7 from 2.5K ratings.

### Do Authenticator or Authenticator have ads?

Both Authenticator and Authenticator show ads.

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

Authenticator ships an update every 5 months, and Authenticator every 3 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on September 4, 2026 and Authenticator on September 23, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*