# Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is update cadence: Authenticator at fortnightly against Authenticator App's every 2 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days and Authenticator App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Authenticator ships an update fortnightly, Authenticator App every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Size | 13 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [General Trading OU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1891750689) | [Naveed Ur Rahman Shah Ras khan](https://appshunter.io/developer/6791074317) |

## What reviewers say

### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-and-mfa/id6761847431)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Week | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Week | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Year | $29.99 | per year |


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-secure-2fa/id6796319668)

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Plan | $12.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Authenticator free?

Authenticator 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 Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?

Neither Authenticator nor Authenticator App shows ads.

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

Authenticator ships an update fortnightly, and Authenticator App every 2 months. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on October 12, 2026 and Authenticator App on October 7, 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.*