# ESS Mobile vs Octopus Authenticator

The clearest difference is rating: Octopus Authenticator at 2.4 against ESS Mobile's 1.7. Octopus Authenticator also leads on review sentiment (23% vs 3%) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Octopus Authenticator holds the better App Store score, 2.4 against 1.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 355 and 163 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 3% of ESS Mobile's written reviews are positive against 23% of Octopus Authenticator's.

ESS Mobile ships an update every 3 months, Octopus Authenticator every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ESS Mobile | Octopus Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.7 (355 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ess-mobile/id667448755/reviews) | **[2.4 (163 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/octopus-authenticator/id1220959010/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **355** | 163 |
| Positive reviews | 2.9% of reviews | **23.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 1 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Attendance on Demand, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/675262405) | [Secret Double Octopus](https://appshunter.io/developer/1104607728) |

## What reviewers say

### ESS Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ess-mobile/id667448755)

This app offers flexible time tracking for employees, allowing them to punch in/out, review hours worked, check schedules, and manage benefit balances. It facilitates communication with supervisors for attendance-related matters and supports various time entry methods.

**Highlights:** Flexible time tracking, Review hours worked, Check schedules and benefit balances, Request time off, Enter tips and mileage, Communicate with supervisor

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Simple and straightforward time tracking functionality
- 📧 Email records linked to time card
- ⚙️ Works reliably on Android devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connect button functions as text box instead of button
- ❌ App crashes frequently after updates
- ⚪ White screen loading issues
- 📍 Location detection inaccurate (4-5 miles off)
- 🔐 Login failures and credential issues

**Reported bugs**

- Connect button treats input as editable text field
- App fails to load or shows blank white screen
- Location services report incorrect location
- Login credentials rejected despite correct information
- Clock-in button disappears or becomes non-functional

**Requested features**

- Face ID or biometric authentication
- Remember me/stay logged in functionality
- Current time display on home screen
- Manager approval system for early out/late in requests
- Ability to view all punch times and historical data


### Octopus Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/octopus-authenticator/id1220959010)

This app eliminates the need for password management, offering a seamless login experience across various work applications. Organizations benefit from enhanced security and control over domain accounts, VPNs, and cloud services.

**Highlights:** Passwordless login, Seamless authentication, High assurance credential control, Supports domain accounts, Supports VPN, Supports cloud applications

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Faster than other MFA
- 👍 No password needed
- 👍 FaceID integration
- 👍 Responsive, pushes arrive immediately
- 👍 Works perfectly for years

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Annoying Bluetooth notification
- 🐛 Daily annoyance with Bluetooth pop-up
- 🐛 Update wiped out account info
- 🐛 Non-intuitive and painful
- 🐛 Confusing and difficult

**Reported bugs**

- Bluetooth notification impossible to get rid of
- App pops up asking for Bluetooth access even when not needed
- Update wiped out all account info
- Constant issues: connection problems, app locks up, pings but won't respond
- Apple Watch app hangs 90% of the time

**Requested features**

- Fix Bluetooth notification issue
- Allow opting out of Bluetooth notifications
- Improve Apple Watch app reliability
- Allow authentication from notification
- Fix watch app hanging issue


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ESS Mobile free?

ESS Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Octopus Authenticator free?

Octopus Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ESS Mobile or Octopus Authenticator?

Octopus Authenticator is rated higher. ESS Mobile averages 1.7 out of 5 from 355 ratings, while Octopus Authenticator averages 2.4 from 163 ratings.

### Do ESS Mobile or Octopus Authenticator have ads?

Neither ESS Mobile nor Octopus Authenticator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ESS Mobile or Octopus Authenticator?

ESS Mobile ships an update every 3 months, and Octopus Authenticator every 2 months. Most recently, ESS Mobile was updated on November 6, 2026 and Octopus Authenticator on November 11, 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.*