Cipher Authenticator vs Telkino
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cipher Authenticator
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Cipher - Offline 2FA Authenticator Secure your logins with privacy-first two-factor authentication. Cipher is a local-first authenticator app designed to keep your 2FA codes truly private and within your control. It generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) entirely on your device - no accounts, no cloud sync, and no external storage. Your authentication secrets are encrypted and stored locally using secure iOS technologies. Cipher never uploads or shares your data - not even for backups - ensuring that only you have access to your 2FA codes. --- Why Cipher In a world where privacy often takes a back seat, Cipher puts you firmly in charge of your security. It’s a lightweight, modern alternative to cloud-based authenticators, offering the same reliability with none of the data trade-offs. Cipher doesn’t require sign-up or internet access. Every code is generated and stored offline, so even if your device is disconnected, your authentication still works seamlessly. --- Key Features Offline TOTP generation - Works anywhere, without network dependency. Local encrypted storage - All secrets are securely stored on your device using industry-standard encryption. Add and manage accounts - Quickly add, rename, and delete 2FA entries. Optional biometric protection - Lock access to Cipher using Face ID or Touch ID for an added layer of safety. Simple, clean interface - Focused on usability, not clutter. Zero telemetry or tracking - Cipher collects no analytics, identifiers, or personal data. Lightweight and efficient - Designed to be fast, secure, and battery-friendly. --- Privacy by Design Cipher was built from the ground up around one principle: your data should stay yours. Unlike traditional 2FA apps that depend on online sync or user accounts, Cipher functions entirely offline. The app does not connect to external servers or log user behavior. Your secrets are encrypted and stored only on your device’s secure storage. We believe privacy isn’t a feature - it’s the foundation. Cipher doesn’t ask for unnecessary permissions or collect any form of analytics. What happens inside your device stays there. --- Designed for Everyone Whether you’re securing your personal accounts, developer tools, or business apps, Cipher makes two-factor authentication effortless and dependable. The minimal design ensures you spend less time managing codes and more time focusing on what matters. Even without cloud sync or recovery, Cipher makes adding and managing accounts fast and intuitive. You stay in full control at all times. --- Your Security, Your Control With Cipher, your two-factor authentication experience remains private, fast, and entirely offline. It’s a secure, simple way to protect your accounts - without giving up your data.
Telkino
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Telkino shows the screen of your Mac or Windows PC on iPhone and iPad and lets you control it. The connection runs directly over your own network or VPN. There is no server in between, no account and no cloud. DIRECT AND PRIVATE • Speaks the open VNC protocol directly with your computer • No account, no backend, no cloud sync • No tracking, no ads, no analytics SDKs • Profiles stay on the device, passwords only in the Keychain FOR MAC AND WINDOWS • Mac: turn on Screen Sharing in System Settings, done • Windows: with a VNC server such as TightVNC, UltraVNC or RealVNC • Finds Macs on the local network via Bonjour and fills in name, address and port • Away from home over VPN, for example Tailscale or WireGuard INPUT • Trackpad mode or direct touch • Pinch zoom, full screen and a key dock with Cmd, Option, Control, Shift, Esc, Tab, arrows and scrolling • Left and right click, send typed text to the computer • Press and hold by touch: rest your finger in Direct Touch, double-tap and hold in Trackpad mode • Image quality per computer: Best, Balanced or Data Saver • Apple High Performance: Macs stream as HEVC video at a resolution that fits your device, with automatic fallback to VNC • iPad: computer list on the left, session on the right • iPad with mouse, trackpad, and hardware keyboard: typing goes straight into the session, click, drag, right click and shortcuts; scrolling arrives precisely on Macs • Shortcuts and Siri: “Connect to a computer” opens the session directly • Data usage of the current session in the status bar • Import computers from Tailscale with a Shortcut (telkino://add link) WAKE ON LAN (PRO) • Wakes a sleeping Mac or PC on the same network before connecting • Needs the MAC address in the profile and, on the Mac, “Wake for network access” DEMO COMPUTER Try everything without a network. The demo computer runs locally in the app and says so. PRICE Your first computer is free forever. Telkino Pro is a one-time purchase without subscription, with unlimited profiles, clipboard sync and Wake on LAN. Family Sharing included. SECURITY VNC is not encrypted by itself. Use a trusted LAN or a VPN. Telkino stops sessions when a server asks for no authentication and never recommends exposing port 5900 to the internet. THE NAME Telkino recalls the “Telekino” of Leonardo Torres Quevedo, the world’s first radio remote control (1903).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cipher Authenticator at none against Telkino's 1. Cipher Authenticator also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). Telkino's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months). On price, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. Telkino sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Cipher Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.
Cipher Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Telkino every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Cipher Authenticator | Telkino |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Siddharth Patankar | Alex Manzer |
In-app purchases
Cipher Authenticator
No in-app purchases
Telkino
- Telkino Pro$3.99









