Comparison

Proton Authenticator vs Cadence

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Proton Authenticator

Securely manage your two-factor authentication codes with an open-source, end-to-end encrypted authenticator app. It offers seamless cross-device syncing, effortless import from other apps, and robust backup options, all protected by strict Swiss privacy laws. Take control of your digital security with a trusted and private solution.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted iCloud sync
  • Effortless import from other authenticators
  • Secure backup and export
  • Swiss privacy by design
  • Open source and transparent
  • Offline support
Features
Read full description

Get the authenticator trusted by millions — from Proton Mail, the world's largest encrypted email provider. Proton Authenticator is open source, end-to-end encrypted, and protected by strict Swiss privacy laws. Protect all your new accounts and strengthen security on your existing ones. Proton Authenticator keeps your 2FA codes secure, accessible, and completely private — with full control over where your data is stored. KEY FEATURES Local-First Storage:Your 2FA codes are stored entirely on your device, giving you complete control over your data. Effortless Import: Migrate from Google Authenticator, Authy, or any other app in seconds. Secure Backup & Export: Retain full control of your data with easy backup and restore options. Swiss Privacy by Design: Built under Switzerland's strongest data protection regulations. Open Source & Transparent: Auditable code. No tracking. No ads. Take control of your digital security with encryption you can trust. Free to use: No Proton account required, ad-free. Offline support: On mobile and desktop apps No other 2FA app provides this combination of security and privacy. Trusted by millions. Built by Proton. Take control of your digital security today. Terms of service: https://proton.me/legal/terms Learn more: https://proton.me

About

Cadence

Features
Read full description

Cadence is a quiet, single-screen focus timer. Open it, press start, and it runs your whole working session — focus, break, focus, break, four times over, then a long break — and starts again until you stop it. Buy it once and it is yours. No subscription, no account, no ads, no analytics. Nothing leaves your phone. KEEPS TIME, WHATEVER YOU DO The timer is anchored to the clock, not to a ticking counter. Lock your phone, switch apps, or force-quit — when you come back, it is exactly where it should be. Alerts for every phase change are scheduled the moment you press start, so they arrive on time with the app closed. ON YOUR LOCK SCREEN AND IN STANDBY A Live Activity shows the countdown and progress ring on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island. Put the phone on a charger on its side and StandBy turns it into a full-screen desk clock for the session. MADE YOUR WAY • Set each phase length — focus 5 to 90 minutes, short break 1 to 30, long break 5 to 60 • Pick an accent colour for each phase from eight curated tones; the whole screen follows it • Choose a glyph for each phase from a set chosen to suit it • Two tidy settings tabs: Timer and Appearance IN CONTROL, ALWAYS • Pause and resume with a tap anywhere on the dial • Restart just the current phase when a session gets interrupted • Skip ahead to the next phase • Stop and return to the top of the cycle • A cycle track shows all eight segments to scale, so you always know where you are HANDS-FREE Start, pause or stop from Siri or the Shortcuts app. Assign "Start or Pause Cadence" to the Action Button and begin a focus session without unlocking your phone. THOUGHTFUL DETAILS • Alerts can be marked time-sensitive so they arrive during a Focus • Optional alert sound, and an option to keep the screen awake while running • A proper landscape layout, not a stretched portrait one • Dark by design, easy on the eyes at night Cadence does not collect, transmit, or share any data.

Screenshots

Proton Authenticator4 screens
Cadence4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Proton Authenticator at Free against Cadence's $0.99. Proton Authenticator also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Cadence's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). On ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Proton Authenticator is free to download; Cadence costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Proton Authenticator ships an update weekly, Cadence every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Proton Authenticator versus Cadence: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProton AuthenticatorCadence
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.4 (242 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews56.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings242 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size119 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperProton AGJoshua Eastman

Bugs and requests

Proton Authenticator

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Sync/login loop on iPad
  • 2FA input broken on non-iPhone devices
  • Screen strobing on iPad
  • Duplicate entries after import

Requested features

5 requests
  • PIN unlock for desktop
  • Alphabetical sorting option
  • Export function (not just Proton-specific backup)
  • Native macOS app
  • Option to hide item icons

Cadence

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Proton Authenticator

No in-app purchases

None

Cadence

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Proton Authenticator free?
Proton Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cadence free?
Cadence costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Proton Authenticator or Cadence have ads?
Neither Proton Authenticator nor Cadence shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Proton Authenticator or Cadence?
Proton Authenticator ships an update weekly, and Cadence every 2 days. Most recently, Proton Authenticator was updated on September 22, 2026 and Cadence on September 18, 2026.

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