# 2 factor authentication vs Authenticator

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: 2 factor authentication at none against Authenticator's 10. 2 factor authentication also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Authenticator's advantage is ratings volume (2.5K vs 1). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. 2 factor authentication asks for nothing beyond the download.

2 factor authentication holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator has 2.5K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

## The numbers

| Metric | 2 factor authentication | Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2-factor-authentication/id6505051115/reviews)** | [4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-app/id6642706929/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **2.5K** |
| Positive reviews | — | 75.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | — | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 12 MB | 202 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Appnap Technologies Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1553618191) | [Vitalii Kuprenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1763634127) |

## What reviewers say

### 2 factor authentication

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2-factor-authentication/id6505051115)

Enhance your online security with a robust two-step verification process. This app generates time-based one-time passwords for account protection and offers features like encrypted backups and private browsing.

**Highlights:** Two-step verification, Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), Multi-account management, Encrypted backup and sync, Private browsing, Email recovery

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Authenticator

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

Secure your online accounts with two-factor authentication. Generate and store one-time codes quickly and easily by scanning QR codes or entering details manually. Offers basic password management and data breach monitoring for free, with premium features available via subscription.

**Highlights:** Quick & Easy 2FA setup, Broad service compatibility, Sleek, user-friendly interface, Data Breach Monitoring, Basic Password Manager, Unlimited 2FA Accounts (Premium), Unlimited Password Manager (Premium)

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| 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 | $59.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Access | $59.99 | per year |

**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 2 factor authentication free?

2 factor authentication is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Authenticator free?

Authenticator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, 2 factor authentication or Authenticator?

2 factor authentication is rated higher. 2 factor authentication averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Authenticator averages 4.7 from 2.5K ratings.

### Do 2 factor authentication or Authenticator have ads?

Authenticator shows ads; 2 factor authentication does not.

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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.*