# Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Authenticator at 75% against Authenticator App's 0%. Authenticator also leads on rating (4.7 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 1). Authenticator App's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.0. 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. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 0% of Authenticator App's.

Authenticator ships an update every 4 weeks, Authenticator App every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-app/id6642706929/reviews)** | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-and-mfa/id6780433633/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.5K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **75.0% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 202 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vitalii Kuprenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1763634127) | [Essa Studio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1773623663) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

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

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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-and-mfa/id6780433633)

This app generates secure one-time codes for two-factor authentication, working offline and protected by biometric security. It supports thousands of services and offers encrypted cloud backup for easy restoration on new devices.

**Highlights:** Generates TOTP & HOTP codes, Works offline, Biometric security (Face ID/Touch ID), Encrypted cloud backup, QR code and manual key entry, Customizable account list

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Auth Premium Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Auth Premium Annually | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator free?

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

### Is Authenticator App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Authenticator or Authenticator App?

Authenticator is rated higher. Authenticator averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.5K ratings, while Authenticator App averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?

Authenticator shows ads; Authenticator App does not.

### Which is updated more often, Authenticator or Authenticator App?

Authenticator ships an update every 4 weeks, and Authenticator App every 2 months. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on October 14, 2026 and Authenticator App on October 9, 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.*