# Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Authenticator App at none against Authenticator's 7. Authenticator's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Authenticator App asks for nothing beyond the download.

Authenticator ships an update every 3 weeks, Authenticator App every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on June 4, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2famfa/id6739278649/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 50 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.5** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [园 周](https://appshunter.io/developer/1783490941) | [Bodrya Hardikkummar Vinodbhai](https://appshunter.io/developer/1469774348) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2famfa/id6739278649)

Enhance your online security with this user-friendly app that generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) for two-factor authentication. Securely manage codes for popular services by scanning QR codes or importing existing data. Offers iCloud sync and biometric protection for easy access across devices.

**Highlights:** Generate secure 2FA codes, Sync accounts with iCloud, Biometric authentication (Face ID/Touch ID), Setup via QR scan or import, Organize tokens with folders, Import/export codes as text file

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $12.99 | per month |
| Annual Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $49.99 | one-time |


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-backup/id6741478724)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## 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 no in-app purchases.

### Do Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?

Authenticator App shows ads; Authenticator does not.

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

Authenticator ships an update every 3 weeks, and Authenticator App every 4 months. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on June 4, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 15, 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.*