# Authenticator vs Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA

The clearest difference is monetization model: Authenticator at freemium against Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA's subscription. Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (2.5K vs 10) and chart position (#189 vs unranked). Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 75%). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Authenticator against 4.8 for Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator has 2.5K ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 100% of Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA's.

Authenticator ships an update every 4 weeks, Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-app/id6642706929/reviews) | **[4.8 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6657984318/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.5K** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | 74.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#189** | — |
| Size | 202 MB | 43 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vitalii Kuprenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1763634127) | [Global Mind Cloud GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1838907037) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

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

**Currently charting:** #189 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


### Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6657984318)

Securely protect your online accounts with time-based one-time codes. Easily add services via QR code or manual entry to generate verification codes locally. Back up and restore your data for seamless device transitions.

**Highlights:** Secure 2FA & MFA code generation, Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), QR code and manual setup, Encrypted backup and restore, Privacy and app lock (Face ID/PIN), Organized account management, One-tap code copying

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Entrance Password Security Sub | $2.99 | per month |
| Authenticator - Plus | $10.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator - Entrance | $14.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator - Export | $14.99 | per 7 days |
| Authenticator - Scan | $14.99 | per 7 days |
| Main Subscription | $14.99 | per 7 days |
| Scan subscription | $14.99 | per 7 days |
| Import & Export | $14.99 | per 7 days |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and reliable
- 🔒 Excellent security features
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 💾 Convenient cloud backup
- 📱 Seamless multi-device support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional syncing issues

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes on older devices

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Advanced account management tools


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator free?

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

### Is Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA free?

Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Authenticator or Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA?

Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA is rated higher. Authenticator averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.5K ratings, while Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA averages 4.8 from 10 ratings.

### Do Authenticator or Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA have ads?

Authenticator shows ads; Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA does not.

### Which is updated more often, Authenticator or Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA?

Authenticator ships an update every 4 weeks, and Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA every 2 months. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on October 2, 2026 and Authenticator App ：2FA, MFA 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.*
