# QR Code Studio vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is ads: QR Code Studio at none against Authenticator App's shown. Authenticator App's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 6 weeks) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. QR Code Studio sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and Authenticator App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

QR Code Studio ships an update every 6 weeks, Authenticator App every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | QR Code Studio | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Size | 9 MB | 143 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Legacy Restaurants, LP](https://appshunter.io/developer/1850903474) | [GEARVN TRADING COMPANY LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1821160309) |

## What reviewers say

### QR Code Studio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-studio-scan-and-create/id6754909660)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| QR Premium | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| QR Code Premium | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| QR Code Lifetime | $119.99 | one-time |


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-2fa-otp/id6778331448)

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is QR Code Studio free?

QR Code Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Authenticator App free?

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

### Do QR Code Studio or Authenticator App have ads?

Authenticator App shows ads; QR Code Studio does not.

### Which is updated more often, QR Code Studio or Authenticator App?

QR Code Studio ships an update every 6 weeks, and Authenticator App every 4 days. Most recently, QR Code Studio was updated on September 8, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 18, 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.*