# Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is monetization model: Authenticator at free with in-app purchases against Authenticator App's subscription. Authenticator also leads on ratings volume (61 vs 1). Authenticator App's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days and Authenticator App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator App holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator has 61 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Authenticator ships an update every 5 months, Authenticator App every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (61 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-secure-2fa-mfa/id6748400576/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6760338934/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **61** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 22 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [DEDUSHKA DEVELOPMENT - FZCO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895610448) | [Ayesha Jabbar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1831178748) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-secure-2fa-mfa/id6748400576)

This app provides two-factor authentication to secure your online accounts. It generates time-based one-time passwords for various services, offering features like cloud backup, biometric protection, and offline code generation. Protect your digital life with this reliable and user-friendly security solution.

**Highlights:** Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), Secure cloud backup and sync, Biometric and PIN protection, QR code scanner for setup, Offline code generation, Support for multiple accounts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $49.99 | per year |


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6760338934)

This app generates secure two-factor authentication (2FA) codes for your online accounts. It offers a simple interface for managing one-time passcodes (OTP) and securing your digital identity with an extra layer of protection.

**Highlights:** Generate secure 2FA codes, Support for TOTP authentication, Quick QR code setup, Simple and easy-to-use interface, Fast access to verification codes, Secure on-device storage

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator App - Weekly Plan | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium (Best Value) | $14.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator free?

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

### Is Authenticator App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Authenticator or Authenticator App?

Authenticator App is rated higher. Authenticator averages 4.6 out of 5 from 61 ratings, while Authenticator App averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?

Neither Authenticator nor Authenticator App shows ads.

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

Authenticator ships an update every 5 months, and Authenticator App every 2 months. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on October 5, 2026 and Authenticator App on October 3, 2026.

---

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