# Authenticator vs Authenticator App | 2FA

The clearest difference is ads: Authenticator App | 2FA at none against Authenticator's shown. Authenticator's advantage is update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 3 months) and chart position (#196 vs unranked). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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 sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator ships an update every 4 weeks, Authenticator App | 2FA every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator App | 2FA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-app/id6642706929/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2.5K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 74.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Best chart rank | **#196** | — |
| Size | 202 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vitalii Kuprenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1763634127) | [JESUS SRL](https://appshunter.io/developer/1852520171) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Authenticator App | 2FA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa/id6755194190)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Week Subscription | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Week Subscription | $19.99 | per 7 days |
| Month Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Year Subscription | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator free?

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

### Is Authenticator App | 2FA free?

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

### Do Authenticator or Authenticator App | 2FA have ads?

Authenticator shows ads; Authenticator App | 2FA does not.

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

Authenticator ships an update every 4 weeks, and Authenticator App | 2FA every 3 months. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on October 12, 2026 and Authenticator App | 2FA on September 18, 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.*