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†

Secure your online accounts with a versatile two-factor authentication solution. Manage all your authentication codes in one place, offering enhanced security for websites, services, and crypto wallets. Supports biometric access and offline code generation.

Highlights
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA)
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  • Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP)
  • Biometric security (fingerprint, face ID, PIN)
  • Offline code generation
  • Wide service compatibility
Features
Read full description

Authenticator App is a versatile and reliable two-factor authentication (2FA) solution, compatible with thousands of websites and services, including major platforms like Microsoft, Google, Robinhood, Facebook, PayPal, Amazon, Coinbase, Binance, Duo Mobile, Dropbox, Discord, Twitter, Steam, Snapchat, and countless others. With our app, you can manage all your authentication codes in one secure place, making it easier than ever to protect your online accounts. Enhanced Security for Your Digital Life Our app offers multi-factor authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of security beyond your password. This second layer ensures that even if someone has your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the additional verification method. You can use your fingerprint, face ID, or a PIN to provide this extra layer of protection in the two-step verification process, making your sign-ins fast and secure. Once you’ve signed in using 2FA, you’ll have seamless access to your favorite sites while keeping your accounts safe from unauthorized access. Perfect for Securing Your Crypto Wallets With the rise of digital currencies, security is more important than ever. Authenticator App is a trusted solution for protecting your bitcoin wallet and other crypto accounts. Rest easy knowing that your assets are safeguarded with state-of-the-art security measures. No More Complicated Passwords Gone are the days of juggling multiple long passwords. With Authenticator App, you can generate secure codes for your accounts with ease. Simply scan a QR code from a supported service, and the app will generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) for you, ensuring that you’re always just a few taps away from secure access. Why Choose Authenticator App? * Compatibility: Works with a wide range of services, offering hassle-free integration for thousands of websites and apps. * User-Friendly: Intuitive interface and easy setup process make it suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced users. * Biometric Security: Use fingerprint, face ID, or PIN for quick access to your codes. * Offline Functionality: Generate codes even without an internet connection, keeping you secure wherever you go. Take control of your online security and keep your digital life safe with Authenticator App—your all-in-one solution for managing two-factor authentication codes. You can cancel your subscription or free trial anytime by cancelling your subscription through your iTunes account settings, or it will automatically renew. This must be done 24 hours before the end of the free trial or any subscription period to avoid being charged. Subscription with a free trial period will automatically renew to a paid subscription. Please note: any unused portion of a free trial period (if offered) will be forfeited when you purchase a premium subscription during the free trial period. Subscription payments will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of your purchase and upon commencement of each renewal term. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Privacy Policy: https://appqe.com/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://appqe.com/terms.html

Screenshots

Authenticator3 screens
Authenticator App†4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Authenticator at 68% against Authenticator App†'s 19%. Authenticator also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.0). Authenticator App†'s advantage is rating (4.5 vs 3.7) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support 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 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days. Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Authenticator App† holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Authenticator App† has 2.5K ratings behind it against 422, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of Authenticator's written reviews are positive against 19% of Authenticator App†'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Authenticator ships an update every 2 months, Authenticator App† fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Authenticator versus Authenticator App†: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuthenticatorAuthenticator App†
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (422 ratings)4.5 (2.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.7% of reviews — better19.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4222.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatt RubinAppqe

Customer experience

Authenticator

All ratings407 ratings
Positive66.1%
Neutral6.6%
Negative27.3%
Written reviews294 reviews
Positive67.7%
Neutral6.1%
Negative26.2%

Authenticator App†

All ratings2,529 ratings
Positive85.9%
Neutral3.8%
Negative10.3%
Written reviews84 reviews
Positive19.0%
Neutral7.1%
Negative73.8%

User reviews

Authenticator

From 422 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 2.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and smooth app
  • 🔒 Puts confidence in data security
  • 👍 Great app overall

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Removed accounts after update
  • 🐛 Deleted authentication codes
  • 🐛 QR code scanning issues
  • 🔒 Lost data and no backup
  • 💰 Aggressive subscription upselling

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

5 issues
  • Accounts removed after update
  • Authentication codes deleted
  • QR code scanning not working
  • Data loss with no backup
  • App freezing or crashing

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to rename token cards
  • Option to pin favorites or sort
  • Assign categories to entries

In-app purchases

None

Authenticator

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Authenticator App†

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Subscription Pack$8.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription$14.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription3 Days trial$49.991 Year

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 422 ratings, while Authenticator App† averages 4.5 from 2.5K 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† fortnightly. Most recently, Authenticator was updated on October 29, 2026 and Authenticator App† on October 30, 2026.

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