# Authenticator App vs Authenticator

The clearest difference is rating: Authenticator App at 4.5 against Authenticator's 3.9. Authenticator App also leads on ratings volume (86 vs 13) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). Authenticator's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (33% vs 25%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and Authenticator sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator App holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator App has 86 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 25% of Authenticator App's written reviews are positive against 33% of Authenticator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Authenticator App ships an update weekly, Authenticator every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App | Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6754013259/reviews)** | [3.9 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-shield-app/id6756226303/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **86** | 13 |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | **33.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 9 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 58 MB | 21 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SAN MOBILE](https://appshunter.io/developer/1678140821) | [NOOX MEDIA LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1836916041) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-mfa/id6754013259)

This app provides secure and effortless two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) by generating time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) for online accounts. It offers encrypted backup, cloud sync, and QR code integration for easy setup and cross-device access, serving as a reliable alternative to other authenticator apps.

**Highlights:** Secure 2FA/MFA code generation, Encrypted backup and cloud sync, QR code integration for easy setup, Cross-device compatibility, Fast and consistent performance

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Authenticator 2FA Weekly Basic | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Autenticador 2FA Weekly Pre | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Authentication 2FA Weekly Plus | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| FreeOTP Authenticator Weekly Pro | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| MFA Authenticator Monthly Basic | $29.99 | per month |
| Yearly Pre Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plus Subscription | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly Pro Subscription | $59.99 | per year |


### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-shield-app/id6756226303)

This app generates secure, time-based one-time passwords for your online accounts. It features a privacy-focused design with local storage and optional biometric protection. Easily set up accounts by scanning QR codes or manually entering details.

**Highlights:** Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), Secure local storage with iOS Keychain, QR code scanner for setup, Optional Face ID / Touch ID lock, No ads or tracking, Offline functionality

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly subscription noTrial | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Subscription | $59.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator App free?

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

### Is Authenticator free?

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

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

Authenticator App is rated higher. Authenticator App averages 4.5 out of 5 from 86 ratings, while Authenticator averages 3.9 from 13 ratings.

### Do Authenticator App or Authenticator have ads?

Authenticator App shows ads; Authenticator does not.

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

Authenticator App ships an update weekly, and Authenticator every 9 days. Most recently, Authenticator App was updated on October 13, 2026 and Authenticator on October 4, 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.*