# Authenticator App ◦ vs Authenticator

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Authenticator at 75% against Authenticator App ◦'s 7%. Authenticator also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Authenticator App ◦'s advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App ◦ sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month 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 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 982 and 2.5K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 7% of Authenticator App ◦'s written reviews are positive against 75% of Authenticator's.

Authenticator App ◦ ships an update every 2 months, Authenticator every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App ◦ | Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (982 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6478947853/reviews) | **[4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-app/id6642706929/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 982 | **2.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 7.4% of reviews | **74.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | **#184** |
| Size | 82 MB | 202 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Apex Innovate Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1726107111) | [Vitalii Kuprenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1763634127) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator App ◦

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6478947853)

This app enhances your digital security by protecting your online privacy and identity. It offers features like privacy detection for photos, two-factor authentication for accounts, secure storage for personal files, and detection of phishing websites. Safely scan QR codes and barcodes to guard against online threats.

**Highlights:** Privacy detection for photos, Two-factor authentication, Secure password-protected folder, Phishing site detection, Secure QR and barcode scanner

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DuoProtec Premium 1 Month | $6.99 | per month |
| DuoProtec Premium 1 Year | $39.99 | per year |
| DuoProtec Premium 1 Year | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⚠️ Misleading app description
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🚫 Not the free Google Authenticator app
- 🔒 Security concerns
- 🤯 Difficult to use/navigate

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription charges without user consent
- Inability to cancel subscription


### Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #184 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 App ◦ free?

Authenticator App ◦ 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 App ◦ or Authenticator?

Authenticator is rated higher. Authenticator App ◦ averages 4.4 out of 5 from 982 ratings, while Authenticator averages 4.7 from 2.5K ratings.

### Do Authenticator App ◦ or Authenticator have ads?

Authenticator shows ads; Authenticator App ◦ does not.

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

Authenticator App ◦ ships an update every 2 months, and Authenticator every 3 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator App ◦ was updated on September 15, 2026 and Authenticator on September 23, 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.*