# Authenticator vs Busy Bee

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Authenticator at none against Busy Bee's 4. Busy Bee's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Busy Bee sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, Busy Bee every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Busy Bee |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-code-backup/id6741478724/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 69 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bodrya Hardikkummar Vinodbhai](https://appshunter.io/developer/1469774348) | [Bytrix Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1861557932) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

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

Securely generate and manage two-factor authentication codes for all your accounts. Encrypted backups ensure you never lose access, even with a new device. Works offline and syncs across your Apple devices.

**Highlights:** Encrypted iCloud backup and restore, Offline code generation, Face ID and Touch ID protection, One-step migration from other apps, Home Screen widget, Syncs across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Busy Bee

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/busy-bee-to-do-list-and-planner/id6758017209)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Plan | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Plan | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Plan | $12.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Plan | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator free?

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

### Is Busy Bee free?

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

### Do Authenticator or Busy Bee have ads?

Authenticator shows ads; Busy Bee does not.

### Which is updated more often, Authenticator or Busy Bee?

Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, and Busy Bee every 8 days. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on November 4, 2026 and Busy Bee on October 31, 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.*