# Message Vault vs Authenticator

The clearest difference is price: Authenticator at Free against Message Vault's $4.99. Authenticator also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). Message Vault's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Authenticator is free to download; Message Vault costs $4.99 up front. Authenticator sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Message Vault asks for nothing beyond the download.

Message Vault ships an update every 2 months, Authenticator monthly. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Message Vault | Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Size | 2 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BS Boys LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6792801887) | [Huong Dang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896285075) |

## What reviewers say

### Message Vault

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/message-vault-private-archive/id6793994770)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-2fa-and-vault/id6809136121)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Premium Access | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Message Vault free?

Message Vault costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Authenticator free?

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

### Do Message Vault or Authenticator have ads?

Authenticator shows ads; Message Vault does not.

### Which is updated more often, Message Vault or Authenticator?

Message Vault ships an update every 2 months, and Authenticator monthly. Most recently, Message Vault was updated on October 29, 2026 and Authenticator on October 29, 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.*