# Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is rating: Authenticator at 4.3 against Authenticator App's 2.3. Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (406 vs 3) and device support (4 vs 2). Authenticator App's advantage is review sentiment (40% vs 15%) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days and Authenticator App sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator has 406 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 15% of Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 40% of Authenticator App's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Authenticator ships an update weekly, Authenticator App fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (406 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator/id6463820946/reviews)** | [2.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-auth/id6737840309/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **406** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 14.8% of reviews | **39.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 18 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ali El Malki](https://appshunter.io/developer/1699908413) | [UNIVERSE DIJITAL HIZMETLER LIMITED SIRKETI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1778239049) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator/id6463820946)

Enhance your online account security with this two-factor authentication utility. Easily add accounts by scanning QR codes and benefit from bank-grade encryption and biometric unlock for peace of mind. Supports thousands of websites and services.

**Highlights:** Bank-Grade Encryption, Secure 2FA and MFA Tokens, Effortless Setup (QR Scan), Biometric Unlock, Encrypted Backups to iCloud, Cross-Device Sync, TOTP Support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator Pro Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription Authly | $12.99 | per month |
| Authenticator Pro | $44.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Pro Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ❤️ Amazing app
- 👍 Loved it
- 👍 Top
- 👍 Wouah super
- 👍 Congratulations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😞 Not working
- 😞 Too complicated
- 😞 Horrible
- 😞 Too expensive
- 😞 Scam app

**Reported bugs**

- Not working
- Cannot make app work
- Cannot cancel subscription
- App freezes
- Locked out of everything

**Requested features**

- Show cost first
- Provide free version without payment
- Offer manual key entry
- Provide email support option
- Clearer instructions for setup and configuration


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-auth/id6737840309)

This app provides a robust layer of security for your online accounts through two-factor authentication (2FA). It generates unique, time-based codes to protect sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access to your digital profiles.

**Highlights:** Secure 2FA codes generation, Multi-platform compatibility, Offline code access, Time-based authentication codes, Account protection

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

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Weekly PreD | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Plus | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly ProD | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Pro+D | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Plus | $14.99 | per month |
| Monthly ProD | $19.99 | per month |
| Monthly Pro+ | $24.99 | per month |
| Yearly Plus | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Pro | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly Pro+ | $59.99 | per year |


## 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 4.3 out of 5 from 406 ratings, while Authenticator App averages 2.3 from 3 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 weekly, and Authenticator App fortnightly. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on September 26, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 29, 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.*