# Authenticator App ＊ vs Authenticator

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Authenticator at 75% against Authenticator App ＊'s 5%. Authenticator also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.1) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 21). Authenticator App ＊'s advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App ＊ sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 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 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator has 2.5K ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 5% of Authenticator App ＊'s written reviews are positive against 75% of Authenticator's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App ＊ | Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6502765668/reviews) | **[4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-app/id6642706929/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 21 | **2.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 5.3% of reviews | **74.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | **#174** |
| Size | 63 MB | 202 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CodeEx Technology](https://appshunter.io/developer/1745047526) | [Vitalii Kuprenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1763634127) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator App ＊

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app/id6502765668)

Enhance your account security with robust two-factor authentication. This app offers double-encryption, iCloud backup for your verification codes, and convenient Face ID login. Easily export and import your account data between devices for seamless management.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication, iCloud backup for codes, Face ID login support, Export and import data, Double-encryption security

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator VIP Weekly Plan | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator VIP Yearly Plan | $39.99 | per year |
| VIP Yearly3dayTrail Plan | $49.99 | per year |
| Authenticator Lifetime Plan | $49.99 | one-time |


### Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #174 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 4.1 out of 5 from 21 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 3 weeks, and Authenticator every 3 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator App ＊ was updated on September 18, 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.*