# Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is update cadence: Authenticator at every 2 weeks against Authenticator App's every 2 months. Authenticator App's advantage is iOS requirement (15.8 vs 17). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per year and Authenticator App sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $59.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator ships an update every 2 weeks, Authenticator App every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Size | 36 MB | 112 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17 | **15.8** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [AQUAWOOD PTE. LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1774212005) | [Ahmad Zohaib](https://appshunter.io/developer/1488211196) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-and-passkey/id6736977421)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| year | $49.99 | per year |
| lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-and-mfa/id6742250725)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| UPGRADE TO PRO | $59.99 | 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.

### Do Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?

Both Authenticator and Authenticator App show ads.

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

Authenticator ships an update every 2 weeks, and Authenticator App every 2 months. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on September 20, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 8, 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.*