Comparison

Chronos Authenticator vs QR

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Chronos Authenticator

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)
Read full description

Chronos is an open-source two-factor authentication (2FA) app designed to deliver robust security and reliable backup features. It supports both time-based (TOTP) and counter-based (HOTP) authentication methods. Features: • Open-source • End-to-end encrypted: Only encrypted token data is stored on the device and in iCloud • Backup & Sync (optional): Effortlessly backup and sync your data with iCloud • Export Tokens: Easily export your tokens for backup or transfer • Import Tokens: Easily import your tokens from other authenticators • Anonymous: No telemetry & app account required

About

QR

Features
Read full description

Most QR codes look like something a printer coughed up. QR-Verse makes ones you would actually put on a menu, a poster or a business card, and then shows you what happens after people scan them. MAKE A CODE 27 code types, grouped five ways. • Basic: website link, plain text, Wi-Fi, GS1 barcode • Contact: vCard, email, SMS, WhatsApp, phone • Social: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube • Media: PDF, image, video, audio • Business: location, event, payment, App Store link, menu, review request, Digital Product Passport, GS1 Digital Link Pick a type, fill in the fields, tap create. Static codes are unlimited on every plan. Media codes hand the file upload over to qr-verse.com and come straight back. STYLE IT WITH AI Open AI Studio, describe the look you want in your own words, and the app designs variants of your code. Not sure where to start? The gallery holds sixteen looks our team trained, scanned and validated, each with its own scan score out of 100. Free generations unlock after two short ads. Paid plans drop the ads. SEE WHAT YOUR CODES DO Your dashboard counts total scans and unique scanners, ranks the codes that are actually pulling their weight, and shows which countries your scans came from and whether people scanned on a phone or a computer. Dynamic codes point at a short link instead of a fixed address, so you can edit the destination after the code is printed. The sticker stays. The link moves. SCAN WITHOUT LEAVING THE APP The built-in scanner reads links, Wi-Fi, contacts, email, SMS, phone numbers, locations, events and plain text, and recognises a QR-Verse code on sight. Copy it, open it, share it, or save the image to your library. STAY IN THE LOOP Notifications are optional and off until you say otherwise. When you turn them on, you hear about it when scans spike or drop, when a code is about to expire, when your AI art is ready, and once a week in summary. SEVEN LANGUAGES, ONE ACCOUNT English, Dutch, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. Switch language in the app and it changes on the spot. Sign in with your QR-Verse account and your codes are the same ones you see on qr-verse.com. PLANS Free: unlimited static codes, one dynamic code, the scanner, scan counts, and AI art after a short ad. Banner ads appear on the home and analytics screens. Pro: more dynamic codes, the full analytics dashboard, your logo on your codes, a bigger AI Studio allowance, and no ads anywhere. Business: everything in Pro, plus the Digital Product Passport and GS1 Digital Link code types. Prices are shown inside the app in your own currency. A subscription renews until you cancel it, and you can manage or cancel it any time in your App Store account settings. You will need a free QR-Verse account. It takes an email address and about thirty seconds. Terms of Use (EULA): https://qr-verse.com/en/terms Privacy Policy: https://qr-verse.com/en/privacy QR Code is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.

Screenshots

Chronos Authenticator4 screens
QR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Chronos Authenticator at none against QR's 6. Chronos Authenticator also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. QR sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Chronos Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chronos Authenticator ships an update every 6 days, QR weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Chronos Authenticator versus QR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChronos AuthenticatorQR
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterWeekly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoel-David WongMarc Bruinsma

In-app purchases

None

Chronos Authenticator

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

QR

Subscriptions6
  • QR-Verse Ad-Free$1.991 Month
  • QR-Verse Pro$4.991 Month
  • Business Monthly$11.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • QR-Verse Ad-Free$14.991 Year
  • QR-Verse Pro$39.991 Year
  • Business Yearly$119.991 Year

Questions

Is Chronos Authenticator free?
Chronos Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is QR free?
QR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Chronos Authenticator or QR have ads?
QR shows ads; Chronos Authenticator does not.
Which is updated more often, Chronos Authenticator or QR?
Chronos Authenticator ships an update every 6 days, and QR weekly. Most recently, Chronos Authenticator was updated on October 3, 2026 and QR on October 8, 2026.

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