# Optional vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Optional at none against Authenticator App's 8. Optional also leads on ads (none vs shown). Authenticator App's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Optional asks for nothing beyond the download.

Optional ships an update monthly, Authenticator App every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Optional | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.3 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-otp/id6757484813/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **29** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 57 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Chandan Kumar Dash](https://appshunter.io/developer/1810937454) | [Solid Dijital](https://appshunter.io/developer/1862145370) |

## What reviewers say

### Optional

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optional/id6745134089)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-otp/id6757484813)

This app provides secure two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) by generating time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) for online accounts. It offers encrypted backups, cloud sync, and QR code support for easy account management across multiple devices.

**Highlights:** Secure 2FA/MFA code generation, Encrypted backup and cloud sync, QR code account addition, Multi-device access, Reliable and fast performance

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Basic Subscription | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Pre Subscription | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Plus Subscription | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Pro Subscription | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Platinium Subscription | $11.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Basic Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plus Subscription | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly Pro Subscription | $59.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Optional free?

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

### Is Authenticator App free?

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

### Do Optional or Authenticator App have ads?

Authenticator App shows ads; Optional does not.

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

Optional ships an update monthly, and Authenticator App every 6 weeks. Most recently, Optional was updated on October 7, 2026 and Authenticator App on October 4, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*