# Chronos Authenticator vs Proton Authenticator

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Chronos Authenticator at 100% against Proton Authenticator's 56%. Chronos Authenticator also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.4). Proton Authenticator's advantage is ratings volume (242 vs 3) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Chronos Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Proton Authenticator has 242 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Chronos Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 56% of Proton Authenticator's.

Chronos Authenticator ships an update every 6 days, Proton Authenticator weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chronos Authenticator | Proton Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chronos-authenticator/id6503929490/reviews)** | [4.4 (242 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/proton-authenticator/id6741758667/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **242** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 56.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 11 MB | 119 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joel-David Wong](https://appshunter.io/developer/1750409239) | [Proton AG](https://appshunter.io/developer/979659484) |

## What reviewers say

### Chronos Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chronos-authenticator/id6503929490)

This open-source app provides secure two-factor authentication using time-based and counter-based methods. It offers end-to-end encryption for token data and optional iCloud backup and sync for convenience. Easily import and export your authentication tokens.

**Highlights:** Open-source, End-to-end encrypted token storage, Optional iCloud backup and sync, Token export and import, Anonymous usage (no account required)

**In-app purchases:** none


### Proton Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/proton-authenticator/id6741758667)

Securely manage your two-factor authentication codes with an open-source, end-to-end encrypted authenticator app. It offers seamless cross-device syncing, effortless import from other apps, and robust backup options, all protected by strict Swiss privacy laws. Take control of your digital security with a trusted and private solution.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encrypted iCloud sync, Effortless import from other authenticators, Secure backup and export, Swiss privacy by design, Open source and transparent, Offline support

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Cross-platform support
- 🔒 Secure cloud sync
- 👍 Easy import from other authenticators
- 🚀 Convenient 'next' feature for codes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy UI (scrolling jitters, random sorting)
- 👎 Lack of customization options (pin favorites, change icons)
- 🐛 Sync/login issues on iPad

**Reported bugs**

- Sync/login loop on iPad
- 2FA input broken on non-iPhone devices
- Screen strobing on iPad
- Duplicate entries after import

**Requested features**

- PIN unlock for desktop
- Alphabetical sorting option
- Export function (not just Proton-specific backup)
- Native macOS app
- Option to hide item icons


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chronos Authenticator free?

Chronos Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Proton Authenticator free?

Proton Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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

Chronos Authenticator is rated higher. Chronos Authenticator averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Proton Authenticator averages 4.4 from 242 ratings.

### Do Chronos Authenticator or Proton Authenticator have ads?

Neither Chronos Authenticator nor Proton Authenticator shows ads.

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

Chronos Authenticator ships an update every 6 days, and Proton Authenticator weekly. Most recently, Chronos Authenticator was updated on September 16, 2026 and Proton Authenticator on September 28, 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.*