# Authenticator App vs QR Code & Barcode Scanner

Authenticator App and QR Code & Barcode Scanner are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and QR Code & Barcode Scanner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator App | QR Code & Barcode Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 5 weeks |
| Size | 26 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Arvind Murali](https://appshunter.io/developer/1806336604) | [Bhaskar Rao](https://appshunter.io/developer/1862718308) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-safeauth/id6755765192)

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $19.99 | one-time |


### QR Code & Barcode Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-and-barcode-scanner-qr/id6766440668)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $9.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator App free?

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

### Is QR Code & Barcode Scanner free?

QR Code & Barcode Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Authenticator App or QR Code & Barcode Scanner have ads?

Both Authenticator App and QR Code & Barcode Scanner show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Authenticator App or QR Code & Barcode Scanner?

Authenticator App ships an update every 5 weeks, and QR Code & Barcode Scanner every 5 weeks. Most recently, Authenticator App was updated on October 8, 2026 and QR Code & Barcode Scanner on September 28, 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.*