Comparison

Authenticator vs Authenticator app

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

Head to head
About

Authenticator

This app provides a secure and straightforward way to protect your online accounts. It generates one-time passwords that, when combined with your regular password, significantly enhance your account security. The app operates offline, ensuring your sensitive data remains on your device.

Highlights
  • Generates one-time passwords
  • QR code setup
  • Encrypted data storage
  • Time-based and counter-based OTP support
  • Offline operation
Features
Read full description

Authenticator is a simple, free, and open source two-factor authentication app. It helps keep your online accounts secure by generating unique one-time passwords, which you use in combination with your other passwords to log into supporting websites. The simple combination of the password in your head and the rotating passwords generated by the app make it much harder for anyone but you to access your accounts. • Easy: Simple setup via QR code, "otpauth://" URL, or manual entry • Secure: All data is stored in encrypted form on the iOS keychain • Compatible: Full support for time-based and counter-based one-time passwords as standardized in RFC 4226 and 6238 • Off the Grid: The app never connects to the internet, and your secret keys never leave your device.

About

Authenticator app

This app provides secure two-factor authentication for over 1000 popular online accounts. It offers quick access via widgets and Apple Watch, and ensures your data is safe with no internet exchange. Easily set up accounts by scanning QR codes or entering secret keys.

Highlights
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA)
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  • Supports 1000+ apps
  • Apple Watch support
  • Quick widget support
  • QR code scanning
  • Encrypted backup
Features
Read full description

Authenticator app is a highly recommended free 2FA app used for securing your accounts on different platforms such as Instagram, Google, Facebook, Github, Twitter and many more. We support 1000+ apps for authentication! Take a look at the unique features of the app: - Apple Watch Support Now access your 2-factor & multi-factor authentication codes from your Apple watch for faster accessibility. - Quick Widget Support Add widgets to your screen for faster, easier 2FA & Multi-Factor Authentication. - Super Safe & Secure: Your passwords are safe and sound as the app has no data exchange with the internet, so no one can get to know it except you. - Scan QR Code: Just one tap QR scan for easy access and hassle-free registration. - Enter Code Manually: Enter a secret key to the app for secure authentication. - Supports All Popular Accounts: Authenticator app supports the most popular services including Facebook, Coinbase, Amazon, Google, Instagram, Roblox and thousands of other providers. - No Password Stored: The application generates Time-based One-time Passwords (TOTP), stored on the user's phone without internet access. This solution dramatically increases login security. - Encrypted Backup: In Authenticator, you can always make a secure encrypted backup, in case you lose your device or switch to a new one. For a safe and secure experience try the application NOW! Privacy Policy: https://maximaapps.com/authenticator/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://maximaapps.com/authenticator/terms_of_use/ For any questions or requests, please use our customer support: feedback@maximaapps.com

Screenshots

Authenticator3 screens
Authenticator app4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Authenticator app at 4.6 against Authenticator's 3.7. Authenticator app also leads on ratings volume (5.7K vs 407) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.0). On price, review sentiment and ads 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 app sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Authenticator app holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator app has 5.7K ratings behind it against 407, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 68% and 68% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, Authenticator app monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Authenticator versus Authenticator app: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuthenticatorAuthenticator app
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (407 ratings)4.6 (5.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.6% of reviews67.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4075.7K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB279 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatt RubinMaxima Apps

Customer experience

Authenticator

All ratings407 ratings
Positive66.1%
Neutral6.6%
Negative27.3%
Written reviews293 reviews
Positive67.6%
Neutral6.1%
Negative26.3%

Authenticator app

All ratings5,742 ratings
Positive89.6%
Neutral3.5%
Negative6.9%
Written reviews395 reviews
Positive67.8%
Neutral4.3%
Negative27.8%

User reviews

Authenticator

From 407 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Simple and easy to use
  • 🔒 Secure, no cloud backup
  • 👍 Clean and intuitive UI
  • 💡 Open-source and transparent

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Tokens easily deleted by accident
  • 🔒 No backup/transfer options for tokens
  • 🔒 Locked out when changing devices
  • 🐛 Codes not working after app updates

Authenticator app

From 5.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🔒 Secure authentication
  • 👍 Reliable and works well
  • 🚀 Quick and efficient
  • 👍 Helpful for account recovery

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 💰 Expensive or hidden fees
  • 🤯 Confusing setup and usage
  • 🔒 Issues with account access and recovery
  • 🔋 Drains device battery

Bugs and requests

Authenticator

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Blank screen on iOS 26 upgrade
  • Codes not working on new devices
  • Unable to log in to accounts after token loss

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add biometric lock (Touch ID/Face ID)
  • Ability to export/backup tokens
  • Companion Apple Watch app
  • Folder/tag organization for accounts

Authenticator app

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Codes not working or generating errors
  • App crashing or freezing during use
  • Accounts being deleted or inaccessible
  • Compatibility issues with certain devices or platforms

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved user interface and instructions
  • Better compatibility with other apps and services
  • Option to export/backup authentication codes
  • Ability to easily manage and remove accounts

In-app purchases

None

Authenticator

No in-app purchases

11 purchases

Authenticator app

Subscriptions8
  • Authenticator Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Authenticator App Premium Weekly7 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Authenticator Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Authenticator App Weekly Premium3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Authenticator Premium Yearly$29.991 Year
  • Authenticator Premium Yearly$49.991 Year
  • Authenticator App Premium Yearly$59.991 Year
  • Premium Access 3 Month Trial3 Months trial$69.991 Year
One-time3
  • Authenticator Premium Lifetime$49.99
  • Authenticator Premium Lifetime$69.99
  • Authenticator App Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Authenticator free?
Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Authenticator app free?
Authenticator app is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Authenticator or Authenticator app?
Authenticator app is rated higher. Authenticator averages 3.7 out of 5 from 407 ratings, while Authenticator app averages 4.6 from 5.7K ratings.
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 every 2 months, and Authenticator app monthly. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on September 22, 2026 and Authenticator app on September 28, 2026.

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