Comparison

Authenticator vs Serin

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Authenticator

Consolidate your digital security with this comprehensive platform. It offers two-factor authentication codes, password management, an encrypted vault for sensitive files, and a private browser with autofill capabilities, all protected by end-to-end encryption and Face ID.

Highlights
  • 2FA Authentication (TOTP/HOTP)
  • Password Manager
  • Secure Vault for files
  • Private Browser
  • Auto Fill for codes and passwords
  • Cloud Sync for backups
  • Widgets for quick access
Features
Read full description

This is not a basic two-factor authentication app. It is a full personal security platform — codes, passwords, an encrypted vault, a private browser and autofill — built for people who take account security seriously enough to want everything in one place and nothing left unprotected. Use two-factor authentication on your accounts but manage your codes, passwords and sensitive files across three or four different apps and want everything consolidated under a single layer of encryption and Face ID. Have lost access to accounts before because you changed phones and had no encrypted backup of your 2FA codes — and want Cloud Sync that keeps everything recoverable without compromising what is stored. Type passwords and copy 2FA codes manually every time you log in because your authenticator and your password manager do not talk to each other — and want Auto Fill that handles both in one step WHAT YOU GET INSIDE 2FA Authentication — secure TOTP and HOTP code generation for any account that supports two-factor authentication, codes refreshed every 30 seconds QR Scanner — instant account setup by pointing the camera at any 2FA QR code MFA and OTP Support — full multi-factor and one-time password compatibility across all standard authentication formats Backup Codes — stored recovery codes for every account so a fallback always exists when the primary device is unavailable Password Manager — encrypted credential storage for every login, organized and accessible without switching apps Secure Vault — end-to-end encrypted storage for sensitive files, recovery keys, private notes and anything that does not belong in a standard notes app Private Browser — built-in browser for sessions that should stay separate from your regular browsing history, with vault access directly inside it Auto Fill — automatic code and password entry across apps and websites so nothing needs to be copied or typed manually Cloud Sync — encrypted backup across all your devices so your full setup is recoverable on any new device from the moment you sign in Widgets — home screen and lock screen access to your most-used codes without opening the app Encryption — end-to-end protection applied across every feature, every stored item and every synced file SUBSCRIPTION & ACCESS Important: Subscription required; no free content. Payment upon subscription confirmation. -Subscription management in Account Settings. -Free trial shifts to paid subscription; unused portion forfeited upon upgrade. -Renewals unless disabled 24 hours before the current period ends. -Subscription: Premium Access - 7 days Premium Access Year - 1 year https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D__ycr3EDHVUEbXERJxifE4Sbyfgfl2IJtkC_6f6u7c/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lOqETe8b4Osox6y-0n5vfxrXWd_8yZA7kxd1_Cda1IQ/edit?usp=sharing

About

Serin

This app acts as a personal privacy scanner, detecting nearby smart glasses, hidden cameras, and Bluetooth trackers. It offers guided sweeps for rooms and travel, and a digital mirror to see your own device broadcasts. Privacy is prioritized with no account required and data syncing only via iCloud.

Highlights
  • Detects smart glasses and wearables
  • Flags Bluetooth trackers
  • Scans networked cameras
  • Infrared reflection scanning for hidden lenses
  • Guided room and travel sweeps
  • Digital mirror for device broadcasts
  • Privacy-focused with no account needed
Features
Read full description

Serin turns your iPhone into a personal privacy scanner. It looks for the devices that watch you — smart glasses, hidden cameras, and Bluetooth trackers — and tells you what is nearby. CANARY MODE A single glanceable status orb. Green means your surroundings are clear of known recording devices. Amber and red mean something worth a look. WHAT SERIN FINDS • Camera glasses and AI wearables — smart glasses, Spectacles, AI pins, and similar recording hardware • Bluetooth trackers — anonymous tags that stay near you across time are flagged after sustained proximity • Networked cameras — IP cameras, streaming devices, and smart-home hardware on the WiFi you are connected to • Hidden lenses — infrared reflection scanning to spot camera optics in a room ROOM SWEEP & TRAVEL SWEEP Guided walkthroughs for hotel rooms and rentals. Serin steps you through each zone, records what it finds, and produces a shareable report. DIGITAL MIRROR See what your own devices broadcast to everyone around you. PRIVACY BY DESIGN No account. No sign-up. Detections stay on your device and sync only through your private iCloud. Serin never uploads location or scan history. SERIN PRO — ONE PURCHASE, NO SUBSCRIPTION • Infrared camera finder • Full travel sweep with PDF export • Deep network scanning • Live Activities on the Lock Screen • Personal insights and trends • Unlimited detection history • No ads IMPORTANT Serin detects wireless signals and visible optical reflections. It cannot find devices that are powered off, hardwired without wireless, or shielded. Signal strength indicates rough proximity, not exact distance. Serin is an awareness tool, not a tool for confrontation, investigation, or emergency response.

Screenshots

Authenticator4 screens
Serin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Serin at free with in-app purchases against Authenticator's subscription. Authenticator's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Authenticator sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days and Serin sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Authenticator against 5.0 for Serin. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 4 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Authenticator versus Serin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuthenticatorSerin
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings)
Number of ratings24 — better
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.518.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBU Guard GmbHSummit Veil LLC

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Authenticator

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Access3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Premium Access Year$44.991 Year
1 purchases

Serin

One-time1
  • Serin Pro$5.99

Questions

Is Authenticator free?
Authenticator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Serin free?
Serin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Authenticator or Serin?
Authenticator and Serin are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 4 ratings respectively.
Do Authenticator or Serin have ads?
Serin shows ads; Authenticator does not.

Other comparisons