# Authenticator vs Paracord

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Paracord at none against Authenticator's 4. On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Paracord asks for nothing beyond the download.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Paracord |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (181 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-otp-codes/id6740751083/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **181** | — |
| Positive reviews | 26.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Size | 32 MB | 80 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Arpit Kakadiya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1779328825) | [Chris Grant](https://appshunter.io/developer/6781785395) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-otp-codes/id6740751083)

Secure your online accounts with this app, offering robust two-factor authentication (2FA) and time-based one-time password (TOTP) generation. It provides advanced security features like end-to-end encryption, privacy mode, and break-in alerts, alongside convenient multi-device sync and quick QR code scanning for effortless account protection across all your Apple devices.

**Highlights:** Time-based one-time password (TOTP) generation, End-to-end encryption for codes, Privacy Mode to hide codes, Break-in alerts for unauthorized access attempts, Multi-device sync across Apple ecosystem, Quick QR code scanning for account setup, Lock screen widgets for instant access

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Annual | $19.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Working app after latest update
- 👍 Lifetime subscription working

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Lifetime purchase option not working
- 🐛 Subscription issue after lifetime purchase
- 🔒 Lack of transparency and false information
- 🚫 Deceptive free lifetime offer

**Reported bugs**

- Lifetime purchase option not working
- Subscription issue after lifetime purchase
- Lifetime offer not working

**Requested features**

- Generate QR code for existing accounts


### Paracord

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paracord/id6781785393)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator free?

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

### Is Paracord free?

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

### Do Authenticator or Paracord have ads?

Neither Authenticator nor Paracord shows ads.

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

Authenticator ships an update every 3 weeks, and Paracord every 3 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on October 25, 2026 and Paracord on October 16, 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.*