# Authenticator App vs Authenticator

Authenticator App and Authenticator both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 75% of Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 38% of Authenticator App's. Authenticator also leads on chart position (#196 vs unranked). Authenticator App's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 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.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Authenticator App against 4.7 for Authenticator. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 908 and 2.5K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 38% 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 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App | Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (908 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6505110382/reviews) | **[4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-app/id6642706929/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 908 | **2.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 37.9% of reviews | **74.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | **#196** |
| Size | 320 MB | 202 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [A1Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/6801470556) | [Vitalii Kuprenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1763634127) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6505110382)

Secure your online accounts with two-factor and multi-factor authentication. Generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) and OTP codes for fast, reliable logins. Includes a built-in password manager and encrypted backup for all your credentials.

**Highlights:** Two-factor authentication (2FA), Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), Built-in password manager, Encrypted backup and sync, Import from other authenticator apps, Offline code generation

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Weekly Plan | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Weekly Plan | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Weekly Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Weekly Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly Plan | $59.99 | per year |


### Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #196 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 4.6 out of 5 from 908 ratings, while Authenticator averages 4.7 from 2.5K ratings.

### Do Authenticator App or Authenticator have ads?

Both Authenticator App and Authenticator show ads.

### 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 22, 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.*
