# Authenticator App vs Authenticator app universal

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Authenticator App at none against Authenticator app universal's 4. Authenticator app universal's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator app universal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Authenticator App asks for nothing beyond the download.

Authenticator App ships an update every 4 months, Authenticator app universal every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App | Authenticator app universal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Size | 53 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bodrya Hardikkummar Vinodbhai](https://appshunter.io/developer/1469774348) | [HEYOKA BILISIM ANONIM SIRKETI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1827291066) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Authenticator app universal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-universal/id6747387288)

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| yearly 30 | $29.99 | per year |
| Authenticator app | $39.99 | per year |
| lifetime | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator App free?

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

### Is Authenticator app universal free?

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

### Do Authenticator App or Authenticator app universal have ads?

Authenticator App shows ads; Authenticator app universal does not.

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

Authenticator App ships an update every 4 months, and Authenticator app universal every 6 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator App was updated on September 15, 2026 and Authenticator app universal on September 22, 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.*