# Authenticator App vs QR Code Reader

The clearest difference is rating: Authenticator App at 4.6 against QR Code Reader's 3.9. Authenticator App also leads on ratings volume (908 vs 139). QR Code Reader's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (50% vs 38%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 QR Code Reader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator App holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator App has 908 ratings behind it against 139, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 38% of Authenticator App's written reviews are positive against 50% of QR Code Reader's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Authenticator App ships an update every 3 weeks, QR Code Reader every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App | QR Code Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (908 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6505110382/reviews)** | [3.9 (139 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-readerbarcode-scanner/id6752232744/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **908** | 139 |
| Positive reviews | 37.9% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 320 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [A1Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/6801470556) | [My Thu Nguyen Thi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1838373822) |

## 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 |


### QR Code Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-readerbarcode-scanner/id6752232744)

Instantly scan and read QR codes and barcodes to access information, product details, or website links. Create your own custom QR codes for Wi-Fi, contacts, events, and more. Organize your scan history for easy access and sharing.

**Highlights:** Scan QR codes instantly, Read barcodes effortlessly, Create custom QR codes, Access scan history, Generate codes for Wi-Fi and contacts

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Premium Annual | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator App free?

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

### Is QR Code Reader free?

QR Code Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Authenticator App or QR Code Reader?

Authenticator App is rated higher. Authenticator App averages 4.6 out of 5 from 908 ratings, while QR Code Reader averages 3.9 from 139 ratings.

### Do Authenticator App or QR Code Reader have ads?

Authenticator App shows ads; QR Code Reader does not.

### Which is updated more often, Authenticator App or QR Code Reader?

Authenticator App ships an update every 3 weeks, and QR Code Reader every 2 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator App was updated on September 22, 2026 and QR Code Reader on September 22, 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.*